C3 engine pad & color

[Rich Puleo]

I'm not up on the later C3's. Maybe someone knows. Re: the small 1.75" engine pad, what year did this start? Was this strictly used on replacement blocks or was it also used in production (if so, what years)? Also, what year did the engine color change from orange (changed to blue, I think, then black)?
Thanks,
Rich

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 engine pad & color

Rich-----

The "short pad" started sometime between 1980 and 1982, but I don't know exactly which year. It was used for BOTH PRODUCTION and SERVICE engines.

The engine changed from orange to blue in mid-1977. The change to black occured for 1981 or 1982, I don't recall which.

[Craig S.]

Re: C3 engine pad & color

Joe - my old 81 pickup with 454 had corporate blue not black, so I am guessing 1982....Craig

[Tom R.]

Re: C3 engine pad & color

The short pad was introduced late 1977. I've yet to see a 78 with the elongated pad.

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 engine pad & color

Tom-----

That surprises me. The 3970010 block was used for all Corvette small blocks from late 1969 through mid or late 1979. I've not seen a 3970010 block with a "short" pad. I'm surprised that there were any. Such a change would have involved a revision to the casting since the pad configuration is a fundamental feature of the casting.

[Tom R.]

Re: C3 engine pad & color

Yeah the 3970010 casting was used into 1979 with S/N 39xxx at which time casting 14016379 shows up. Actually the S/N 37xxx through 39xxx was the transition according to the tech manual but I don't believe much research developed beyond the manual.