Hello, all. I've learned a lot in the C2 forum, and now I'm looking forward to learning a lot on the shark side of the fence.

I recently purchased a 25,000 original mile 1969 427/435 coupe from the original owner. It's a solid California car with a good frame and unhit body.

That's the good news.

The bad news is that it has been sitting for 20 years and needs completely gone through. I want to restore this car as correctly as possible, keeping in mind I intend to drive the car (as a companion to my 1966 427/425 convertible).

I'm posting here because the original owner did a few things to the car before it went to sit--specifically, swapping in a different engine.

So I now have what seems to be an original 427/390 engine with the following engine stamp: TC104LM 198712911. If someone has the car that matches this engine and wants it, let me know.

Also, if anyone knows the whereabouts of a 427/435 or parts of it that match a VIN number of 194379S724918, I'd be endlessly grateful. The engine was last seen in a boat in Ohio, from what I'm told.

Also, one other general question:

Should I go to the insanity of sending out the calipers and master cylinder for rebuild to preserve the date codes, or just exchange the stupid things. I feel this car is worth restoring "right," but I'm unsure as to how "right" I want to go.

I know this is a long shot, but I have to ask.

Is there anyplace else I should post this?

 

Your last question, yes there is another place, under Forums > General > Factory Correct Resto. Those guys should be a lot of help too.
Good luck!

 

Thanks! I'll post there too.

I know it's a long shot, but I'll feel better if I've at least tried.

 

So you got a 35 year old car with 25,000 original miles. And the engine was removed and put in a boat. The 435 HP engine was replaced with a 390 HP engine out of another vette.

Sounds like a good story. Do you have any support for these claims? Tank sticker, original invoice, bill of sale, or any other documentation?
There are far more big block vettes on the street today than the General ever built.

If the car is a legit 427/435 car and you can find an engine with correct dates you have a very valuable car that should be correctly restored to maximize value. If done "right" and it is a documented car it is worth big bucks. The key is finding out and documenting what you have.

 

I have documentation from the original owner that it is a 427/435 car, including bill of sale. I know the mileage could be bogus, but the overall condition of the car seems to support it.

My friend who tipped me off on this personally knew the owner for 20 years. The car hadn't moved in that time.

I know it could be BS, but I have to try.

 

The car is no longer numbers matching. The odds of finding the original engine are astronomically against you. It WAS a 427/435 car. Now it's a restoration project. No point in worrying about the calipers without the original engine, either.

There's only one thing to do . . . mod the hell out of it!!!

(This ain't no mamby-pamby numbers matching forum...)

 

Make that baby fly 427 is a good engine.

 

Sure its a numbers matching car. All you have to do is stamp the correct number in the correct way with the right tools and it now passes judgement.
Is it right? no but how many of these original cars are actually original?
Apparently numbers matching is also a part of restoration, if it isn't correct you make it correct.

 

did you look and see if the build sheet is still on top of the gas tank?that would be the first thing I would do,If the car has been sitting for that long chances are its still there,if it is and its still legible and documents it as a L71(435 hp) then I would go the purest route,saving and rebuilding everthing that is original to the car,will be expensive though,but worth it! I would hate to see a documented car get bubbaed up! ps the build sheet could also be inbetween the speedo and the tach inside the dash.

 

I detect a little sarcasm here. And you've pointed out a serious illness in our hobby, due to people thinking of cars as "investments"

Like I said, mod the sucker!

 

I didn't think the 69 vette had an engine number to check against anything, like the VIN. The build sheet just shows an option# for the type of engine, but no numbers. Didn't the VIN matching start in the early 70's? Can U even cross-reference a '69 engine number?

 

Engine numbers have been stamped on Corvette engines since the early 50's. Stamp pad appears on the front of the block in front of the passenger side valve cover. Easy to see easy to check. It contains code letters for the engine type(HP) and transmission. The code(LM) on the engine in your car is a 427/390HP with a M22 Muncie 4speed rock crusher(C). The numbers 12911 are the last 5 of the vin for that car.

 

 

Once again have the car to love it and enjoy driving it. While I respect the cars that are all original and god knows wish mine had been..don't fall into that hole of "cheating" it to original.

 

QUOTE]
the code (LM) stands for 4 speed,rochester 4-bbl,hyd.lifters (390 hp 427),according to chevrolet by the numbers

 

Thanks for this info.

I think I've moved past my "restore it like an obsessive NCRS person" phase and into "make it a nice car" phase--which is what I already did with the 66. But I had to post, just in the odd event that someone had any info on the engine.

I'm going to drop the tank, though, and see what the sticker says, since it needs replacement anyway.

 

I don't see that economically making sense. If it is/was a real 435 car it will bring big bucks fixed. If it only has 25k miles MOST of the other original parts are probably there. With full documentation it will be a good candidate for a full resto. My advice-find the right engine, fix it right, sell it for big $$, then go buy 2 cars to mod the crap out of. My .02

 

I purposly purchased a modified car so I wouldn't feel guilty about modifing it. A 435 '69!!! Let me catch my breath. I am in this hobby because I love to Mod cars,any car I own! C-3 is the perfect Hot Rod starting point in my opinion. But a 435 '69, value what you have, it is very special !!

 

I have to agree - it is very difficult, but if you can find the appropriate
block, heads, intake, and carb - it is restorable to original condition.
Restamping a block is accepted - but finding the right date codes could be a
long and expensive process.
In the end - the restored 427/435 is big bucks.