Tonawanda plant overspray on L/71?

[Steve Antonucci]

Hey everybody!

Want to see a beautiful GM archive image of a 1967 L/71 engine?
Wait till you see the over-spray on this one...

Steve

http://www.gmphotostore.com/prodinfo.asp?number=53217953

[Steve Antonucci]

Re: Tonawanda plant overspray on L/71?

Another odd thing on this particular engine photo is the lack of shine on the
chrome valve covers. They look more frosted. I wonder if they did that on
purpose to hide the camera and flash reflection?

Steve

[lyndon sharpton]

Re: Tonawanda plant overspray on L/71?

no that is the way the real covers looked they were not knock your socks off shine.

[Greg L.]

Re: Tonawanda plant overspray on L/71?

I think it's called flash chrome in which they just plate the surface without prep work as we are used to today.

I thought 67s had painted valve covers though?

[William C.]

Re: Tonawanda plant overspray on L/71?

Remember, it's a PR picture, may not even be a production engine. Much rather see a picture take at a car plant or on the line at the engine plant to use as a learning tool.

[Steve Antonucci]

Re: Tonawanda plant overspray on L/71?

Lyndon,

I've seen tons of the flash chrome valve covers. Hell, I own half a dozen
sets here and there. None of them look that dull on the sides though.

Steve

[Michael H.]

Re: Tonawanda plant overspray on L/71?

I agree Bill. There are a lot of paint items that are incorrect on this engine and I believe it was dressed and touched up just for the pic. And as Greg mentioned, the valve covers should be painted orange along with the rest of the engine. I think the entire engine has been repainted as there are things coated that shouldn't be. We probably won't learn much from this one, unfortunately.

[lyndon sharpton]

Re: Tonawanda plant overspray on L/71?

well they look like the ones I have, and they are not that great.

[Verne Frantz]

Re: Tonawanda plant overspray on L/71?

When I sent that picture link to Steve, I mentioned that it appeared to have some extra "detailing" and may not be representative of standard production. Photos "on the line" are the ones that really tell us the history.

[Michael H.]

Re: Tonawanda plant overspray on L/71?

Steve,

While there are a number of things that are not "typical production" on this engine, there is at least one thing that positively indicates that it's not intended for a Corvette. This is an item, beyond cosmetics, that is absolutely incorrect and I don't think it would even function in a Corvette. If no one catches it by morning, I'll post it.

I think several of these engines were dressed differently for different car lines during the photo shoot.

(pssssssst.... there was talk of a 435 HP big block for Chevrolet in late 66. However, it was canceled and the 425 HP continued for the model year. I have the paperwork somewhere)

[Steve Antonucci]

Re: Tonawanda plant overspray on L/71?

Michael,

I'd like to see that paperwork!

BTW, I'm looking real hard at that photo again. I'm not seeing anything
that stands out other than possibly the fuel pump.....

Steve

[Michael H.]

Re: Tonawanda plant overspray on L/71?

Steve,

Yes, it's the fuel pump. The inlet tube on the bottom is facing forward, like passenger car. The Corvette only fuel pump inlet tube faces rear. This, along with the chrome valve covers, would suggest that this was possibly a passenger car engine that was dressed with the 3x2 setup that was considered for the 67 model year. In 1966 and 67, a few people at Chevrolet were still interested in full size car muscle. There were quite a few 66 425 HP Impala's built but the big block Chevelle was quickly replacing the full size car as a muscle car so the solid lifter big block option for Chevy was eventually dropped.

I'll see if I can find some paperwork on all of this. By the way, did you know that a 3x2 intake manifold was drawn and cast for small block in 67 or 68? Obviously, it never came to life but it was looked at and I think Winters actually made a few.

[Steve Antonucci]

Re: Tonawanda plant overspray on L/71?

Boy!

What a converation piece a Winter's 3x2 setup for a small block would be - huh?

Steve

[Robert T.]

Re: Tonawanda plant overspray on L/71?

67 L89s had chrome valve covers

[Robert T.]

Re: Tonawanda plant overspray on L/71?

Ooops, never mind. I just saw the title " L71"