Ok...here I am again. I hate bugging you all about this stuff....but I am again at a loss for many things with my car.....( I'm a girl, what can I say), a couple things ..

First my engine.... I have 1970 ...with an LT 1 hood....and an 350 Mexican made ...crate engine? Trying to figure this one out....not sure if it is 2 or 4 bolt.....( I know, drop the oil pan). ☺. I'm learning.... But can't figure out WHATwas in the car to BEGIN with.....you guys make this look easy....but looked up a million diff numbers ..VIN....block etc.( doesn't help this because NOT orig. engine)..what is EASIEST/Simplest way to find this out. The reason I ask....everything I have to buy to replace on this car..roaters, master cylinder, brake caliper is for a car with a 454 or the 'better/bigger' car. I have a aluminum radiator ( which I heard was for the LT1 car. Wood grain trim, telescoping steering wheel, and leather seats......which brings me to question no. 2....

Seats and interior where painted silver. ( I know this is not a corvette interior color)... By the trim number...'424'. This was saddle leather. The seats and interior in great shape....I would like to get back to saddle..any ideas.....I brought to an upholstery guy and he said....silver looks great...just respray seats.( I will if this is only option...but I think it looks tacky)...any ideas without ripping seats apart? Need new carpet also.....it has the '****' rug..which is an upgrade also. Sorry so long.....any suggestions appreciated....Beth.

 

There was no difference in brakes between the wimpy base engine 350 and biggest nastiest 454.

Regrading interiors, no Corvette came with **** carpeting

 

what you are saying doesnt makes sense the master cylinder, brake caliper, etc are the same whether a 350 or a 454, you are just going to the wrong parts suppliers, are they corvette vendors? What does the plate on the console say? You can buy complete interiors, seat covers, carpeting in any color you want and the few plastic parts that are not available you can spray, again you have to look at corvette vendors not the corner parts store.

 

Well, maybe I wasn't stating the '****' correctly....ahahaha...thicker pile carpet. And thanks again.

 

And good idea about the 'corner parts store'...like I said..learning here! Thanks again! Ps.....the plate says 427. Which I know they did not come in a 1970... And this is where the mystery begins!!!!

 

I think she means the cut pile carpet that came on leather interior cars, as opposed to the loop carpet that came on vinyl interiors. It sounds like you have the delux interior, but in the wrong color.

You can get some clues to how the car was born by what the tach redline is, and what the data plate says on the console. These two things can be changed, but it's a starting point. These items get changed when someone is trying to fake an optional engine, but no one tries to fake a base engine car.

 

Custom Interior Trim cost you $158 in 1970. It came with leather upholstery, carpeted door panels, wood grain insert on the console, and cut pile carpeting.

If you want to return the color to saddle, try SEM automotive interior dye/paint. SEM is good stuff and is available through automotive paint retailers or their website.

 

For 1970

350/300 5300 redline on tach
350/350 6000 redline on tach
350/370 6500 redline on tach
454/390 5600 redline on tach

A big block car will have a front & rear sway bar. Small block cars just the front.

 

Thanks so much....I will give this a shot.....may I ask, have you used this product??

 

Hi 70,
I believe 70 LT-! cars only have a fuel supply line running along the passenger's side frame rail, while all other engines had a fuel line and return line right next to it.
Another way to narrow down what the original engine MIGHT of been is to take a look at the u-joint connections on the half shafts.
The base small block cars had formed 'straps', while LT-! and bb cars had caps with bolts.
Take a look under your car to see what's there.
Regards,
Alan

Base engine 'strap'


LT-! & BB 'cap

 

You all are awesome! What great info. I will check this out!

 

3000....-approx. BUT, I have front and back sway bars....go figure! Lol

 

i agree on the carpet, i don't think you meant ****, that was ( thank goodness ) not available. the motor may be one of those target motors, about as lame as they come but lots of potential. i do think you may have a real gem it will be fun to find its history.

 

As far as the seats go..if you have nice leather seats covers in good condition, I would see what you could do to have it restored professionally to the color you like. Otherwise be prepared to pay a good price for some new leather seats with new foam and hardware. If leather is what you want.

 

Hi Beth, LT-1 in 1970 did not have an aluminum rad, it had the larger brass rad with the expansion (end tanks) as part of the rad. Like a Camaro or Chevelle.

Does your aluminum rad have the "end tanks", or is your expansion tank attached to the right inner fender?

Aluminum rad with end tanks would be after market, which likely replaced the original rad that was the same so, those rads (with end tanks) were used in L-46 & LT-1.

If you have a separate expansion tank, they were used in a base engine car. Not sure what was used in the 454.

Barry
engine

 

Beth,

You can eliminate three of the 4 available engine options for your 1970 model. Both the LT-1, L-46 and LS5 engines used a 27" copper radiator. The ZQ3 engine used the smaller aluminum radiator.

 

The L-46 used the larger copper radiator.

 

Yes. About twentyfive years ago I shot dark blue SEM over the yucky black the PO had left me. It covered well and still looks good.

The key is surface preparation. Everything has to be super squeaky clean.

SEM is good stuff. It can be used on vinyl, leather, hard and soft plastic, and metal.