Title Wash?/Original Engine?
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
From: Kensington Maryland
Title Wash?/Original Engine?
I did a CarFax on my 1990 Vette and it says the title was "Washed". Anyone have a history with this. Also, I suspect the engine might not be an original. The console sticker says it is an L98. Any way to find out? Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Washed can mean that the car was either totaled by an insurance company or was a flood damaged car. The state would then issue another certificate of title noting that the car was considered to be a salvage (some states call them a "salvage title").
Then somebody would buy the car take it to another state and get another title issued with no reference to the car having been declared as salvage.. That's a "washed title".
Outside of the ZR-1, all 1985 through 1991 C4's had the L98 engine. You would have to find the numbers stamped on a pad on the block at the front of the passenger side cylinder head to determine if was the original motor or at least from the same year of Corvette.
Then somebody would buy the car take it to another state and get another title issued with no reference to the car having been declared as salvage.. That's a "washed title".
Outside of the ZR-1, all 1985 through 1991 C4's had the L98 engine. You would have to find the numbers stamped on a pad on the block at the front of the passenger side cylinder head to determine if was the original motor or at least from the same year of Corvette.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Glendale AZ
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 200
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From: queens newyork
A washed title can also mean that the car was stolen at 1 point and the car was taken in by the police and used as evidence towards whatever the case maybe and eventually auctioned off. So it necessarily doesn't mean its a bad thing.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
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From: Phoenix Arizona
Generally means someone "washed"/"cleaned" a salvage title. Used to be pretty common back before the carfax days, and there are various ways to do it. (The polite term would be "salvage history") The engine should be an aluminum head tuneport with the computer over the battery with no mass airflow sensor. Should have manifold absolute pressure sensor (MAP)on the upper plenum on the right rear side for quick idendification. I would guess whatever caused the salvage has been long fixed and shouldn't be a problem. "Numbers Matching" shouldn't be a concern like it is in the C2's, and C3's (many of which are actually restamps).
