C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

help! Dufus blows engine on 74?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 8, 2004 | 10:05 PM
  #1  
scott brown's Avatar
scott brown
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Default help! Dufus blows engine on 74?

Just recently bought first vette, a 74 corvette convt. Was told it was L82 NOM. Car drove great and was a real pleasure. Car died today. Started stalling at low speeds and as I started moving at higher speeds (about 50 on 3rd gear) the engine failed while driving. Droped it back into gear to get engine started and heard very nasty grinding engine noise. Car would not restart. Engine temp increased over 200 once stopped. White smoke came out from hose conected to air filter and there was a strong burning smell.
Mechanic said it could be timing belt and that it would have to be replaced before knowing if there was other damage to engine. I have been told that the engine might not be NOM and how can I confirm that? If necessary should the engine be replaced or rebuilt? The car is just a summer neighborhood ride and I don't expect to put more than a couple thousand miles a year on her. Your advice is appreciated.
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2004 | 10:34 PM
  #2  
billlambeer's Avatar
billlambeer
Instructor
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: Avon CO
Default

Not sure how to check to see if its NOM, but if it isnt the timing chain, and something internal, it really depends on what can be salvaged, i mean if a piece breaks in the engine, it gets tossed around and there is no telling what it did and didnt do till you open her up. Technically speaking, a used engine can often output more performance because it is broken in, and i have heard of many people going junkyard hunting for blocks to race with instead of buying a new one just because of this! But you can buy a new whole kit, that is not assembled for around 1500 to 2000(depending on specs). So wait to see what happened to it, and then go from there, that is what i sorta say.
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2004 | 10:40 PM
  #3  
comp's Avatar
comp
Team Owner
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 88,393
Likes: 2
From: eville in
Default

No timing belt, you have a chain
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2004 | 11:04 PM
  #4  
JB's Avatar
JB
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,023
Likes: 2
From: TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS
St. Jude Contributor
Default

Originally Posted by scott brown
Just recently bought first vette, a 74 corvette convt. Was told it was L82 NOM. Car drove great and was a real pleasure. Car died today. Started stalling at low speeds and as I started moving at higher speeds (about 50 on 3rd gear) the engine failed while driving. Droped it back into gear to get engine started and heard very nasty grinding engine noise. Car would not restart. Engine temp increased over 200 once stopped. White smoke came out from hose conected to air filter and there was a strong burning smell.
Mechanic said it could be timing belt and that it would have to be replaced before knowing if there was other damage to engine. I have been told that the engine might not be NOM and how can I confirm that? If necessary should the engine be replaced or rebuilt? The car is just a summer neighborhood ride and I don't expect to put more than a couple thousand miles a year on her. Your advice is appreciated.
If the block is original, the number stamped into the pad just below the front of the passenger valve cover will contain part of your VIN number.

JB
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2004 | 12:20 AM
  #5  
ACECO's Avatar
ACECO
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 4
From: Northern NJ
St. Jude Donor '04 & '05
Default

Originally Posted by comp
No timing belt, you have a chain
That's what I was going to say. If your mechanic actually said Timing Belt , then I'd be looking for another mechanic.

However if he said chain, and you mistook what he said and posted belt, then nevermind.

Oh, and welcome to the insanity! Good luck w/the new toy!

Reply

Get notified of new replies

To help! Dufus blows engine on 74?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:35 AM.

story-0
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-1
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-2
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE