Tell me about C3's...
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 24,650
Likes: 8
Tell me about C3's...
So Ill be picking up that 76 in about a week...just looking to learn some stuff about it before it gets here.
For instance...Turbo350 behind a L48. How tough was the TH350? Im only used to the TH700R4.
What rear gears should it have, and who made the rearend? Is the rearend tough? Can it burnout occasionally and not blow out?
The engine, should be a run of the mill Gen1 350 2 bolt right?
For instance...Turbo350 behind a L48. How tough was the TH350? Im only used to the TH700R4.
What rear gears should it have, and who made the rearend? Is the rearend tough? Can it burnout occasionally and not blow out?
The engine, should be a run of the mill Gen1 350 2 bolt right?
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
I think the gear ratio in most '76 automatic L48s was 3.08. I can't tell you how tough the rear end is because my L48 isn't known as a torque monster by any stretch of the imagination. I can do mild burnouts if I wish, but I have a 4-speed. I don't expect an automatic to be able to break the tires free in any sort of violent fashion. Yes, the L48 engines were 2 bolt main blocks.
Being a '76, you may experience some difficulties when ordering replacement parts. Some parts are specific to 'early '76' and 'late 76'. I think the radiator is one of those areas. The A/C system may be another area that changed mid-year (not sure though because my car is non-A/C).
Enjoy your ride. Welcome to the C3 forum!
Being a '76, you may experience some difficulties when ordering replacement parts. Some parts are specific to 'early '76' and 'late 76'. I think the radiator is one of those areas. The A/C system may be another area that changed mid-year (not sure though because my car is non-A/C).
Enjoy your ride. Welcome to the C3 forum!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: Washington
[QUOTE=Bronze76; Yes, the L48 engines were 2 bolt main blocks.
[/QUOTE]
My '69 indicates (the numbers) that the engine is the base 350/300. This is also on the console plate. I recently had the engine rebuilt top to bottom and it is a 4 bolt main engine. Your statement that all L48's were 2 bolt confuses me.
[/QUOTE]
My '69 indicates (the numbers) that the engine is the base 350/300. This is also on the console plate. I recently had the engine rebuilt top to bottom and it is a 4 bolt main engine. Your statement that all L48's were 2 bolt confuses me.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,090
Likes: 74
From: New Carlisle IN
I also have a 76 with an L-48 and a TH350. I definatly don't spin the tires very often or very easily. Even with the low gears that came in these cars, the engine still is turning around 3000 when cruising at 60mph. The rears are all pretty much the same from 68-79 except for the gears. My 73 has seen alot of burnouts and spinning of the tires. It is my autocross car. I have done some autocrossing in my 76. The 76 is a dog compared to my 73, but I have it handleing as well as or better than the 73.
According to a book I have there were 4 different gears offered. Only the 3.08 was available with the TH350 and the L-48.
Code Ratio
OA 3.08
OD 3.36
LR 3.36
OB 3.55
OC 3.70
According to a book I have there were 4 different gears offered. Only the 3.08 was available with the TH350 and the L-48.
Code Ratio
OA 3.08
OD 3.36
LR 3.36
OB 3.55
OC 3.70
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 156
From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
But I was still disappointed to find out that the original engine was only a 2 bolt main. Thats one of the reasons that a crate motor is now in my car, .... original engine just wasn't worth rebuilding IMO.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 40
L82 Option still came with 4 bolt main 1976 , forged crank , better pistons and big valve heads . Very strudy block . Very nice starting point for hopp up .
One strange part thing , the 75 and up started using a metal floor pan , YUK...
... so now corvettes can rust out too. I WOULD CHECK the floor pan condition. Vettes leak water in many places and it winds up in the floor board , as does a blown heater core.
One of years maybe 76 started using a cheap funky steering wheel from a vega or monza if I recall.
I drove a new 76 L-82 M21 back in the day, it would spin the tires , no problem.
Have Fun
One strange part thing , the 75 and up started using a metal floor pan , YUK...
... so now corvettes can rust out too. I WOULD CHECK the floor pan condition. Vettes leak water in many places and it winds up in the floor board , as does a blown heater core. One of years maybe 76 started using a cheap funky steering wheel from a vega or monza if I recall.
I drove a new 76 L-82 M21 back in the day, it would spin the tires , no problem.
Have Fun
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
Likes: 5
From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
I've had my '76 for ten years. Getting rid of that pizz-poor old 350 was my first move. Heck the OEM 307 that was in my '70 Nova when I got it, ran better than the Stingray did. The '70s were first smog years and the Vette really suffered.
They are all going to be 2-bolt main blocks unless you get one with an L82. I have only seen one L-82 that was a '76 the rest have all been L48 engines which were rated at 160 HP and were not anything to brag about.
I drove mine though, while buying parts & building the 383 for it. I researched and found the good, high-nickle 4 bolt main block locally, and used that as my basis. By the time I had the car six or seven months, I was putting the new motor in her. I sold the L48 and never looked back.
Just remember that a 76 with the L48 is the base car. Period.
They are all going to be 2-bolt main blocks unless you get one with an L82. I have only seen one L-82 that was a '76 the rest have all been L48 engines which were rated at 160 HP and were not anything to brag about.
I drove mine though, while buying parts & building the 383 for it. I researched and found the good, high-nickle 4 bolt main block locally, and used that as my basis. By the time I had the car six or seven months, I was putting the new motor in her. I sold the L48 and never looked back.
Just remember that a 76 with the L48 is the base car. Period.
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Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 24,650
Likes: 8
Well, smog stuff is all coming off..Im in FLorida. I took it all off my 85 when I pulled the engine out of it to get it ready for a 383.
My plans at this point are to do away with what emissions crap is on it, put on Hooker sidepipes/headers, better intake/carb. And probably 1.6 Roller Rockers.
I dont plan to race it, but Id like to skin the hydes every once in a while..haha
My plans at this point are to do away with what emissions crap is on it, put on Hooker sidepipes/headers, better intake/carb. And probably 1.6 Roller Rockers.
I dont plan to race it, but Id like to skin the hydes every once in a while..haha
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
It is widely agreed the earlier years (such as your '69) were considered 'high performance' years so even the base engines would most likely have 4 bolt mains because they made quite a bit more power than the later years.
