L71?

[Mark H.]

New here and my first post.

A friend recently purchased a 1968 Corvette with a not original small block engine in it. Also has a small block hood. Trim tag shows PAINT 900=Tuxedo Black and TRIM 414= Medium Blue. Serial #424032 would be a July 1, 1968 build date.

After he brought it home I had a look and noticed it had a high rpm (6,500) red line tach. Did a a little research and discovered that tach would indicate an L71, L89 or an L88 engine. So I did more research to see what other telltale signs I could find to indicate the original engine. Here's what I have so far:

Single fuel line from tank to pump.

01 Fuel Line 1.jpg

Three holes in fenderwell for K66 TI

02 K66 TI Under Hood.jpg

6,500 RPM redline tach

03 Tachometer.jpg

It also has a big block radiator and shroud and F41 suspension. I believe this would all indicate either an L71 or L89, right? Is there anything else to look for? This car has no documentation so I guess it doesn't really matter but I would just like to document as much as possible.

Just got the shipping data report which says, "The original delivery dealer was Dealer code 1, Zone 21. The name and location for the dealer was Foreign Distributors Div/Export" After a little research I guess this frequently indicates the car was purchased by a G.I. while overseas and picked up at a dealer in the US. Any way to find out what dealer?

Maybe while cleaning out the interior we'll find a build sheet. . .right.

[Ron G.]

Re: L71?

Two things. First, if it looks like a duck and walks like one, its probably a duck. However, back approx. some 30 years ago give or take, I had a friend, and do still speak with him, he and his Dad removed the original L-71 engine and installed a small block because of fuel usage. At that time the car and my buddy lived in CT. From what he told me it had a blue interior and I thought that the exterior was blue also. Don't know if it was a real black, code 900 car that was re-painted after the car was new. When he had the car no one was looking at trim tags, at least not as many of us do now.

[Domenic T.]

Re: L71?

Mark,
I did exactly that with my 67 back in 1971. My 427 hood was missing most of the hood frame and had a piece missing from a wreck.
I put a fresh 365 SB that I had in my shop in it along with a good SB hood on it and ran it for years. I also changed the trans to a 254 1st and took the 4:11 out and put a 3:36 in it.
Now that I am finishing a frame up I fixed the hood and put the 435 back in it along with a 220 1st and the original 4:11.
It did happen back then.

DOM

[Mark H.]

Re: L71?

It did come with maintenance records back to 1979. It was in Norfolk, VA then. We contacted that owner and he was unaware that it might have had a big block in it at some point. And the car was painted Lemans Blue then already with the small block hood.

[Mike T.]

Re: L71?

Mark - First off, welcome to the NCRS site. I've been a member since the early 90's but just never got around to posting questions till the last few years, shoulda started earlier. On your buddy's '68, you mention it has no documentation but just wanted to ask in case it was overlooked, did you guys look for the tank sticker? Good chance that if there is still one attached to the tank, it's in pretty shabby condition and maybe not readable but worth a look at least.

[Rich G.]

Re: L71?

Get the 68 Tech Manual and JG and you will see other BB vs SB differences. Not sure, but I think the rear Axels are different or the universal joints. Front sway bar, too?

Rich

[Michael F.]

Re: L71?

sounds like you have a good chance the car was original big block, would be nice. good luck and hope it turns out to be. of course, then the journey begins to make it a big block car again.

[Mark H.]

Re: L71?

Two things. First, if it looks like a duck and walks like one, its probably a duck. However, back approx. some 30 years ago give or take, I had a friend, and do still speak with him, he and his Dad removed the original L-71 engine and installed a small block because of fuel usage. At that time the car and my buddy lived in CT. From what he told me it had a blue interior and I thought that the exterior was blue also. Don't know if it was a real black, code 900 car that was re-painted after the car was new. When he had the car no one was looking at trim tags, at least not as many of us do now.

Hard to believe somebody would do that, but I remember we all thought fast cars were dead during the gas crunch in the '70s. He wouldn't still have the L71 engine by any chance? Hey, doesn't hurt to hope right?

[Mark H.]

Re: L71?

Mark - First off, welcome to the NCRS site. I've been a member since the early 90's but just never got around to posting questions till the last few years, shoulda started earlier. On your buddy's '68, you mention it has no documentation but just wanted to ask in case it was overlooked, did you guys look for the tank sticker? Good chance that if there is still one attached to the tank, it's in pretty shabby condition and maybe not readable but worth a look at least.

Thanks for the welcome! We did look for the tank sticker. The seal around the gas filler opening is gone so we could see in fairly well but no luck.

[Mark H.]

Re: L71?

Get the 68 Tech Manual and JG and you will see other BB vs SB differences. Not sure, but I think the rear Axels are different or the universal joints. Front sway bar, too? Rich

Thanks for the tip. We did check the halfshaft u-joint caps and they indicate big block as well.

08 Caps Driver.jpg

It has the larger diameter front sway bar and rear sway bar.

05 F41 4.jpg 05 F41 1.jpg

Here's a shot of the radiator and shroud.

06 Radiator.jpg

By the way, I've discovered that the Mallory Mark II Voltmaster coil shown in my first post is worth a few bucks. Seems they were used in the Baldwin-Motion cars. You don't suppose. . . .nah.

[Tom R.]

Re: L71?

Mark

You have check just about everything but I see no reference to the transmission. You might check it for the VIN derivative and see if it yields information of significance.

[Mark H.]

Re: L71?

Mark

You have check just about everything but I see no reference to the transmission. You might check it for the VIN derivative and see if it yields information of significance.

I was thinking there was no VIN derivative on the trans in '68. Am I wrong?

[Patrick B.]

Re: L71?

I was thinking there was no VIN derivative on the trans in '68. Am I wrong?

You are wrong.

[Mark H.]

Re: L71?

You are wrong.

OK, thanks for the correction. Can somebody fill me in on the location of the transmission numbers and how to decipher them?

[Tom R.]

Re: L71?

OK, thanks for the correction. Can somebody fill me in on the location of the transmission numbers and how to decipher them?

Help us out here...what have you got? Auto or four-speed?