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I have run across a '71 convertible for sale that is advertised as a LT-1 that has a non-original motor. I'm inclined to believe that that car started out as a LT-1 due to the fact that the tach has a 6500 rpm redline. I asked the owner to send me a picture of the engine stamp pad on the passenger side front of the motor. He says the pad does not contain any legible numbers or letters.
My question is, without any information from the stamp pad, how can a person determine what year and horsepower this engine is?
there are date stamps on the block, the water pump, the alternator the starter, the heads the carb...there is something on the pad, he does not want to clear away the paint and grime to read it.
Does the car come with any documentation?
there are date stamps on the block, the water pump, the alternator the starter, the heads the carb...there is something on the pad, he does not want to clear away the paint and grime to read it.
Does the car come with any documentation?
The owner has owned the car for 5 years. I'll ask him today to go through the paperwork that came with the car and see if there is anything in there that will tell what the engine is.
The car is 6 1/2 hours away from me, so I can't easily look at it directly.
...without any information from the stamp pad, how can a person determine what year and horsepower this engine is?...
Short answer, you can't. The engine suffix code identifies the horse power and year and was stamped on the block pad. The engine in question is running a 68 and earlier 327 intake manifold evidenced by the oil fill tube at the front of the intake.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Jun 8, 2018 at 09:43 AM.
Short answer, you can't. The engine suffix code identifies the horse power and year and was stamped on the block pad. The engine in question is running a 68 and earlier 327 intake manifold evidenced by the oil fill tube at the front of the intake.
Short answer, you can't. The engine suffix code identifies the horse power and year and was stamped on the block pad. The engine in question is running a 68 and earlier 327 intake manifold evidenced by the oil fill tube at the front of the intake.
Nice pick on the intake, I noticed that as well. I would add that if there are no markings / lettering on the stamp pad its usually a sure sign the engine was rebuilt and the block was decked, thus milling the original factory stamping off the pad.
Nice pick on the intake, I noticed that as well. I would add that if there are no markings / lettering on the stamp pad its usually a sure sign the engine was rebuilt and the block was decked, thus milling the original factory stamping off the pad.
That, or ask the seller why an LT-1 would be running the wrong intake manifold.
I don't think the seller can answer this. He is not very Corvette savvy. He said he bought the car 5 years ago so he and his wife could enjoy it on weekends.
I don't think the seller can answer this. He is not very Corvette savvy. He said he bought the car 5 years ago so he and his wife could enjoy it on weekends.
What does he want for it? Three words for that one, beau - t - full! Just because the engine is incorrect for the car doesn't diminish its value to me, but I am not an NCRS judge.
what does he want for it? Three words for that one, beau - t - full! Just because the engine is incorrect for the car doesn't diminish its value to me, but i am not an ncrs judge.
Depending on how far I would have to travel to see it, I might just swing by with supporting documentation regarding the LT1 engine and just go over the engine altogether. A restoration guide(s) is of great help in situations like this because it explains what options, items should or would be on a period LT1 including the engine, etc.. Show up armed with knowledge and intelligent, it will go a long way.
It definitely has an incorrect intake, but the deck stamping may be there, but is covered in grime and may just reveal it is the correct block and should subsequently have the correct internals. Pull a valve cover off and get the head casting numbers as well.
If it matches sans intake make an offer around $25k and begin the intake hunt. If it has been rebuilt and is somewhat indeterminate wrt an LT1 engine, I would offer $22 - $23K. With or without the correct engine, to me that car in the pic, if it all looks that clean inside and out is worth $23K all day and sunday.
Cars like the LT1 in the early '70s are going up in price, just watch Mecum or Barret Jackson and that includes once numbers cars with rebuilt engines. In truth according to NCRS, you can have an LT1 intake that was produced within 6 months of your car and it will qualify as numbers matching.
Anyways, have fun with your search and good luck finding what you want.
So based off those numbers.. BTW, the first numbers, first number is not an 8 it's a 3 as in 3782461....64-66...327......Camel hump,no accessory holes,160/62cc port volumes,62cc chamber
Second number identifies the block as a SBC which could be a 305, 327 or a 350. The more info you get from this guy the more it looks like a 327. Hence the early 327 intake. However, you could find those heads on a 350, but not an LT1. Also an LT1 would have an aluminum manifold and a Holley 4 bbl
The A214 appears to be a date code, maybe Jan 21 1964, not sure
So based off those numbers.. BTW, the first numbers, first number is not an 8 it's a 3 as in 3782461....64-66...327......Camel hump,no accessory holes,160/62cc port volumes,62cc chamber
Second number identifies the block as a SBC which could be a 305, 327 or a 350. The more info you get from this guy the more it looks like a 327. Hence the early 327 intake. However, you could find those heads on a 350, but not an LT1. Also an LT1 would have an aluminum manifold and a Holley 4 bbl
The A214 appears to be a date code, maybe Jan 21 1964, not sure
Since it acknowledged not to be the original engine, and owner isn't claiming it to be a _____. Does it really matter? To know what you actually have requires disassembly. You could try to source the correct date coded parts to put a LT1 in it. There are so many restamped matching number cars out there it's hurt the market. IMO you need to decide how much your willing to spend. It is a pretty car.
Need help identifying engine
