Hello everyone. I just bought a 73 Corvette that doesn't have the original motor.
The VIN is 1Z37J3S423067, so it was originally an L-98.
The car has a 4 speed Muncie M-20. (26 spline, 2 groove)
I have trans out, replacing the clutch. (The throw out bearing was broke in half)
The guy I bought it off of said he thought is was a 307.
I decided to try and find out what I have.
The block number is 3970020.
This should make it a 307 I believe.
The deck number is V0303CNF. This comes up as a police LM1 (185hp)
or a 307 from a nova, camaro, or firebird (200hp)
If the block number indicates a 307, then it has to be from a 1970.
I'm trying to figure out what car it is from.
I have a partial VIN on the deck.
10L515490
This is a Chevy block built in Van Nuys, so does it narrow it down to a Camaro or Nova?

Is there any other way to tell where it is from? I haven't seen too many 307's lately. Wondering if that is all they had laying around when the engine was replaced?

Also, would I be better off swapping back in a 350, or another engine?
The car is not anywhere near stock. It is going to be a bare bones hotrod. I have removed almost everything from it. No heat, no AC, no frills.

Thanks for any input!

 

It is a 307.

V0303CNF = "V" is the Flint engine plant. "0303" = is March 3rd. "CNF" is a 307 2bbl in a 70 Chevelle, Camaro or Nova (the Firebird did not use the 307). "CNF" was also used as a suffix code for a 350 4bbl, 1982 Impala/Caprice Police package, but it can't be a 350, as 3970020 was used as a 68-73 307 block only. When you have a suffix code with multiple applications (such as CNF), the block casting number always takes precedence over the suffix code, for determining engine size.

The VIN "10L515490" derivative indicates a 1970 Chevrolet built at the Van Nuys assembly plant. "1" is Chevrolet Motor Division, "0" = 1970, "L" = Chevrolet Van Nuys Assembly Plant and 515490 is the car's build sequence.

In 1970, Van Nuys was building Camaros (Novas were built at Van Nuys too, but I don't know if they were being built there in 1970). So your engine appears to be a 1970 307/200, assembled on March 3rd 1970, at the Flint engine plant, and installed at Van Nuys in a 1970 Camaro (or maybe a Nova?).

As fas a building up the 307, I don't know if it's worth it. The 307 was never intended to be anything other than an economy V8. Like any engine, headers, an intake and carb will improve a 307's performance, but any other Chevy small block will respond better to the same mods. People have modified 307's, but for the same amount of money (or even less), you can do better with a 350.

 

Congrats on your purchase.
First of all take your VIN number of the web.
If anything list it like xxxxxxxxxxxx67 or similar.
Way too easy now for somebody to copycat a stolen car.
Then either build, have built or purchase a 383...
Enjoy.