originality ????
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
originality ????
Here I go. As you might remember, I purchase a 72 LT-1 with air this past summer. 
It doesn't have the original motor in it though. The cam, heads, and intake are correct for my vette but the block is from a 73 Z28, which is basically the same thing as a LT-1 motor except for the cam. I guess somebody gernaded the original bottom end 
so my question is, should I try and locate the right dated block. My vette was built in late April of 72. So I would need to find a block that was cast maybe in late January or early Febuary? Does that sound about right? 
Or should I even bother because it won't be the original block anyways? 
My plans for this car are to drive it. It will not be a show car. Thanks everyone in advance. Sorry so long. Ray
It doesn't have the original motor in it though. The cam, heads, and intake are correct for my vette but the block is from a 73 Z28, which is basically the same thing as a LT-1 motor except for the cam. I guess somebody gernaded the original bottom end so my question is, should I try and locate the right dated block. My vette was built in late April of 72. So I would need to find a block that was cast maybe in late January or early Febuary? Does that sound about right? Or should I even bother because it won't be the original block anyways? My plans for this car are to drive it. It will not be a show car. Thanks everyone in advance. Sorry so long. Ray
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 397
Likes: 1
From: CORTLANDT MANOR NY
If you want to drive it let it be. It will never be an original motor car unless you counterfeit the stamp pad. The vehicle is not rare enough to go thru those motions.
If you where interested in pursuing the NCRS Top Flight award then you could play with casting dates etc. This can be a very expensive pursuit if you have the means and the desire to do it.
If you where interested in pursuing the NCRS Top Flight award then you could play with casting dates etc. This can be a very expensive pursuit if you have the means and the desire to do it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 2
From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
I can't think of any logical reason you'd want the block. It's gonna be a driver. And I get the impression you're keeping the car.
Don't worry, the car will provide lots of other opportunities to spend your money as time goes by!
Don't worry, the car will provide lots of other opportunities to spend your money as time goes by!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
When my father owned the car for 2 years he went and searched for an original 72 block wit hall the right numbers. He even had the pad stamped. I redid the car for him and put in a LT1 short block. The same shortblock is still in there. The original numbers correct one is residing in my basement gathering dust. I would not waste my time searching for one unless you are going to NCRS with the car. If you are going to drive it and have fun just use the block you have.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by BUGGSY1970
It will never be an original motor car unless you counterfeit the stamp pad. .
and then it would be fraud.........not that you would misrepresent it ...but some one would further down the line
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 2
From: Apex NC
Originally Posted by BUGGSY1970
The vehicle is not rare enough to go thru those motions.
When the Chevrolet records become available, and all the bogus big block cars are exposed, this kind of car will jump even further in value. If you have a correctly dated block to go along with the car, you'd be in an even better position to gain value in the car.
If it were my car, I'd keep it as original as practical, find a properly dated block and store it for the future, and drive the car and enjoy it as is without making any mods that couldn't be easily removed down the road.
Just my opposing $0.02, as I am usually the one going against the "it's your car, MOD IT!!!" crowd.
Shannon
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I just want to second the opinoins above. If it is just going to be a driver, I would not bother with it and use that money to upgrade the existing parts on your vette. Mine was numbers matching when I got it. I have since went way away from that. Mine was not all that desireable when I got it so I just made it the way I wanted it to be.
Good luck with yours whichever way you decide to go.
Good luck with yours whichever way you decide to go.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Dave, Do you mean LS7 big block? I can't imagine working on a big block in one of these vettes. You barely have enough room with a small block! 
That sounds like a winner with finding a block and just keeping it aside.
Those 010 blocks are a dime a dozen around here. I'm pretty sure I should be able to find something. As long it's a 4 bolt main.
Just called GM today about that restoration package. They said it would take about 4-6 weeks. Can't wait! Thanks for your opinions. I hope that someday that they will find the documentation for our vette's. My tank sticker is pretty much useless.
That sounds like a winner with finding a block and just keeping it aside.
Those 010 blocks are a dime a dozen around here. I'm pretty sure I should be able to find something. As long it's a 4 bolt main.Just called GM today about that restoration package. They said it would take about 4-6 weeks. Can't wait!
Thanks for your opinions. I hope that someday that they will find the documentation for our vette's. My tank sticker is pretty much useless.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
I think he means the new LS7 motor used in the C6 Z06. It is going to be available as a crate motor. 427 CI LS1 style motor. I wonder what the $$$ figure for it is. 500+ HP sounds pretty good to me.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,455
Likes: 5
From: Upstate South Carolina
You have to decide what you want. IMO, if all you want is a nice driver, sale the LT-1 and buy a NOM base car and build it the way you want. If you want a 72 A/C LT-1, build the car that way. LT-1s with A/C are some of the rarest and most desirable C3s. The more correct that the car is the more valuable it is. Also, going original does not prevent the car from being a driver. Bottom line, do what you want.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 732
Likes: 1
From: Green Lake Wisconsin
Originally Posted by mstanton
You have to decide what you want. IMO, if all you want is a nice driver, sale the LT-1 and buy a NOM base car and build it the way you want. If you want a 72 A/C LT-1, build the car that way. LT-1s with A/C are some of the rarest and most desirable C3s. The more correct that the car is the more valuable it is. Also, going original does not prevent the car from being a driver. Bottom line, do what you want.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,330
Likes: 6
From: Long Island NY
It seems odd to me, their were only 240 '72 LT-1's w/air because they came out late in the year. But I see so many for sale and talked about... Not saying that you don't have one, but I would do my homework...