1971 350-350??

[Darren P.]

I am supposed to look at a 1971 that the guy says came from the factory with the 350 horse small block, says he is in the process of documenting it, has owned it for 25 years and has the console plate that says it also. is there a possibility the car is factory even though 70 is supposed to be the last year for this. thanks

[Michael G.]

Re: 1971 350-350??

You had better check it out thoroughly. If the console had been shuffled from a 70, Who knows what else was.

Mike

[Jim T.]

Re: 1971 350-350??

The small block Corvettes in 1971 used reg gas because the compression was reduced. A 70 350/350 had 11:1 compression and had to have premium which could be bought for $6.00 a tankful, mayby less. Check out the stampings on the front pad of the block for verification. Ask for the POP to see what is imprinted in it. Check out the block casting date. These will document what engine is in the 71. What type of valve covers does the engine have? I would not expect the orignal engine this 71 left the factory with is a 350/350. The VIN number will help verify the time period it left the factory.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1971 350-350??

darren------

I would say that the chances are virtually nil that such an engine was ever installed in a 1971 model. Odd-ball things can happen. However, odd-ball things that contravene legalities and/or widely advertised GM pronouncements are virtually certain to never occur.

The block stamp pad should "tell-the-tale" here.

[Jack H.]

Agree!!!

Here's why... 1971 was the first year of the new 50-State Federal Emissions Standard. The odds that GM/Chevy went out to Federally certify and ship a 'one off' car with a unique power plant are absolutely nil!

[Duke W.]

Re: Agree!!!

In addition to tightened 1971 federal HC and CO standards, California models had to meet a first ever NOx tailpipe standard (The first federal NOx tailpipe standard was 1973.)

Also, for the 1971 model year, GM management dictacted that ALL GM engines run on 91 RON unleaded fuel (Today's 87 PON fuel has essentially the same detonation resistance) to get the petroleum industry started on producing unleaded fuel that was anticipated for the 1975 model year when catalysts would be required to meet tailpipe emission standards.

Thus, the '70 version L-46 with its 11:1 advertised CR was out, and the decision was made to offer just one SHP engine for 1971 in the form of a 9:1 compression LT-1.

This particular engine has either been changed, modified, or misrepresented, and as previously stated, the stamped engine date/ID code, block casting number and other visual indicators such as manifold casting number and carburetor will likely reveal what it is and what configuration it started out as.

Also, make a note of the beginning of the tach redline as this can be evidence of the original engine configuration.

Duke

[Darren P.]

Re: Agree!!!

thanks for the help guys! in talking to him I believe the car is a june 71 car, he is "not sure" if it has matching numbers or not. all signs that something is a little fishy. he is basing his opinion on the console plate and also someone in the corvette club who said that "he used to work at the st.louis plant and he remembers after the strike putting a few of these in late in the year" I hate to say never but I agree that this combo was never offered factory that year.

[Alan S.]

Re: Agree!!!

Darren,
If your friend is basing his information on the console data plate, he's basing it on the easiest, cheapest, thing to change.
Regards,
Alan