L71?

[Tom R.]

Re: L71?

I think all we did was give Mark More Minutia to wade through!

[John C.]

Re: L71?

Richard

The carburetor type on the engine determined the fuel line used.

Holley applications (400 HP, 435 HP, 430 HP) all had the single fuel line.

Quadrajet applications (300HP, 350 HP, 390 HP) all had the duel fuel lines with the return.

John

[Patrick H.]

Re: L71?

Note the original fuel line clamp still sitting loose on Mark's metal line.

[Michael B.]

Re: L71?

Not that it is exclusive to the BB, but here is the harness plug to the K66 TI Amp on my 10/3/68 build date 69 L68.

[Mark H.]

Re: L71?

Thanks for the picture. I can't find that connector but the are some connectors near the distributor I thought might be part of the TI.

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I also think the throttle cable bracket may still be the 3x2 bracket with one end cut off.

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[Joe L.]

Re: L71?

Mark------


From what I've seen and read here, I would say there's absolutely no doubt this was an original big block car, either an L-71, L-68, or L-88. If the car looks like it has an original radio installation, then you know it's not an L-88. The tach redline would pretty much tell us it was an L-71.

I'm also very confident the conversion was done a LONG time ago.

[Joe L.]

Re: L71?

Two things. First, if it looks like a duck and walks like one, its probably a duck.

Ron------


It's got to quack like a duck, too. But this one definitely also does that. So, I agree, there's no doubt this is either a duck (or an original L-71).

[Mark H.]

Re: L71?

Thanks for the comments. It looks like it has the original radio and also has a radiator shroud (big block) so I think L-88 can be ruled out.

We've tracked ownership back to 1979. That owner had no idea it was ever a big block and it now has a 1974 truck engine in it so it appears the conversion was done sometime between 1974 and 1979. I wish we could track the ownership back to when the L-71 was still in there but we're running out of ideas on that. I'm a little curious why they swapped the big block hood for a small block hood. That owner could probably shed some light on that.

[Mark H.]

Re: L71?

Ron------


It's got to quack like a duck, too. But this one definitely also does that. So, I agree, there's no doubt this is either a duck (or an original L-71).

So what would you guys do with this car? Evidence definitely indicates this is an original L-71 or L-89 Vette and the color combination would be very rare and desirable, however; at this point there is no documentation and the engine is gone. If you restore it you would never get your money back out and you would destroy the provenance that this car now has. Other than the engine swap this car is relatively unmolested and original. Maybe just put a big block in it but without the expensive 3x2 induction and don't worry about casting numbers and such? This is kinda what my buddy is leaning toward. He wants to put a big block in and drive it.

I just think this car is special enough that you have a certain responsibility to do what is right. Or has it lost whatever value it once had and he should feel free to do whatever makes it what he wants?

[Tim G.]

Re: L71?

Mark, I'd put a big block in it and enjoy. You could put a 454 in it with a single Holley on it. If the car is in good unrestored condition, leave it alone. You can have lots of fun with the car with a more modest investment than restoring. I'm afraid you're correct, to restore would make it difficult to be in an equity position on the car.

[Dave C.]

Re: L71?

If this car is a real L71, and it appears to be , my opinion is that it should be restored with a date coded restoration motor, after all the signs that are there have been documented, so much of the documentation is fake anyway, if I were looking to purchase a restored car like this , I would rather see all the signs that it was an original L71, than trust a supposedly original window or tank sticker, with no owner history.

[Patrick B.]

Re: L71?

I may well be cheaper and easier to get a new 454 crate engine than to find a dated 512 block and 840 heads, although these parts are not as pricey as C2 big block castings. Using a single carb rather than 3X2s is a good move for a driver because 3X2s can be a real pain as well outragiously expensive, but a flat LS-6 manifold will be required even on a crate engine if you want to close the hood. However, I think it would be cost effective to restore the TI ignition on this car to preserve its L-71 character. Nothing says Bubba louder than an aftermarket distributor, and a GM points distributor is just restoring it as an L-36 at best.