I'm looking at a 1969 coupe 427-390hp. The car has a nom in it. Is there a way to determine if the car was an original big block or a clone. Thanks Rick
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very few differences
A 390 HP BB is very similar to a 350 HP or 300 HP SB car. The most notable difference is the correctly coded differential, but you can buy a BB case for $400 or less. In addition, the car should have 15/16" front sway bar and 9/16" rear sway bar. The springs are different, but with SB springs it would sit "in the weeds" like a low-rider, so those would have been swapped! The tach should have a 5600 RPM redline.
Without a build sheet, you can make a fake BB car from a SB car for approx $1000 or less buying parts on e-bay (getting a restamped block will add about $2500 to the cost, a repro hood will add another $1000) so you can see that there is $$$ to be made by someone doing this swap.
All I can add is "BUYER BEWARE".
Mark -
Re: 1969 big block
Look under the car at the rear and see if the car has its original big block sway bar still in place. Check out the size of the u-joints in the half shafts, check out the size of the radiator. I have heard something about the size of the fuel line or return fuel line? Check out the redline on the tach, where is it at? Does the car have A.C.? (this may affect where the redline is)Does the car have its original gas tank, if so... carefully remove the boot from around the cap and with a flashlight, look to either side of the tank and see if the car's tank sticker is still in place. If so, that could be gold!
Good luck,
Jacob Angel
NCRS # 40987Comment
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Re: very few differences
It's a long shot but try these guys...
Some guys have had luck with it but it only works if the car was originaly sold new in Canada and more cars that you may think have been re-sold back to the US so you never know.
You have nothing to loose other than a phone call because if your VIN doesn't show in the data base you don't get charged. For me this is the ultimate for documentation because it is third party right from GM. You can fake engine pads, POP's and Tank Stickers but GM Canada documentation is right from the horses mouth!
One other thing that "might" help you. If the tach is out of the car you are looking at it should have a inked date stamp on the back side. This stamp should be a couple weeks ahead of the body build date, at least is is on my 69 L36. If it's way off or after the build date then that would be a sign too of a fake, tribute or whatever else they are calling these things today.Comment
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