1972 LT-1 Pre-purchase Questions

[Ron E.]

Looking at buying a '72 LT-1 that has had a recent engine rebuild. The owner chose to replace the solid lifters with hydraulic lifters so as to avoid having to adjust the valves. The car comes with the original lifters and cam. I assume this change would have no bearing on the value of the vehicle based on the fact that the original parts are included?

As part of the engine rebuild the cylinders were bored .30 over...any impact on the value of the car?

Also wanted to confirm that an M-20 transmission with 4.11 rear end was a possibility on an LT-1 as it appears to be equipped as such.

Thanks,

Ron

[Joe L.]

Re: 1972 LT-1 Pre-purchase Questions

Looking at buying a '72 LT-1 that has had a recent engine rebuild. The owner chose to replace the solid lifters with hydraulic lifters so as to avoid having to adjust the valves. The car comes with the original lifters and cam. I assume this change would have no bearing on the value of the vehicle based on the fact that the original parts are included?

As part of the engine rebuild the cylinders were bored .30 over...any impact on the value of the car?

Also wanted to confirm that an M-20 transmission with 4.11 rear end was a possibility on an LT-1 as it appears to be equipped as such.

Thanks,

Ron

Ron-------


Installing hydraulic lifters on a cam designed for mechanical lifters was a very bad idea.

Overbore does not have impact on the value of the car. No buyer would know, anyway.

LT-1 with M-20 and 4.11:1 was NOT a combination originally available.

[Ron E.]

Re: 1972 LT-1 Pre-purchase Questions

Joe,

Sorry for not being clear in my original post...when the race shop rebuilt the engine they replaced the cam and the lifters. He has the original solid lifter cam and lifters that will go with the car.

Thanks for the clarification on the transmission/rear end gearing.

Ron

[Michael W.]

Re: 1972 LT-1 Pre-purchase Questions

Did the stamp pad survive the rebuild?

[Ron E.]

Re: 1972 LT-1 Pre-purchase Questions

It did. It was rebuilt by a race shop that does a significant amount of Corvette engine work. They were careful not to damage the pad.

[Alan S.]

Re: 1972 LT-1 Pre-purchase Questions

Hi Ron,
For me the value of the car would be reduced by the cost of putting the proper cam and lifters back in place.
I don't think however that it would discourage me from buying the car.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

[Jerome P.]

Re: 1972 LT-1 Pre-purchase Questions

I am an owner of a '72 LT1. The solid lifters are part and parcel to the '70, '71 & '72 LT1's.

Joe, as always is correct. A 4.11 gear with a M-20 tranny was not an option.

Curious, what is the seller asking for the car?

[Ron E.]

Re: 1972 LT-1 Pre-purchase Questions

Jerome,

Agreed regarding the solid lifters...the owner is mid-70's and didn't want to have to adjust the valves. I am okay with the hydraulic lifters and will most likely change back to the original cam and lifters in the future.

Spoke with the current owner again last night and he assured me that it is an M-21 with 4.11 gearing.

Asking price is $39k but there is negotiating room. The car is Steel Cities Gray coupe (paint is a solid 8.5-9) with black leather (still has it's original deluxe interior in good shape), PS, PB and tilt. Owner has throughly detailed the engine compartment and chassis. The car has it's original carb, water pump, AIR pump, etc. Only things that didn't match were the windshield, starter and alternator.

Based on the LT-1's I have looked at over the past several months (I have looked at 5 and had 2 inspected) this is by far the nicest. Most seem to be in the mid-upper 30 range.

Ron

[Larry M.]

Re: 1972 LT-1 Pre-purchase Questions

Ron,

To me, a rebuilt engine with paperwork documenting the work that was performed and parts that were used adds value to a car. Can you determine the mileage on the engine since the rebuild?

Larry

[Ron E.]

Re: 1972 LT-1 Pre-purchase Questions

Larry,

The engine was rebuilt in late 2014 and only has 250 miles on the rebuild...still running the break in oil. I have been in contact with the race shop that rebuilt the engine and all documentation is included.

Ron

[Jerome P.]

Re: 1972 LT-1 Pre-purchase Questions

I like the Steel Cities Gray color with the black leather interior.
It sounds like you have found a nice LT1. Enjoy the car, if you pull the trigger and buy it. Price seems about right, maybe marginally high.

[Roy V.]

Re: 1972 LT-1 Pre-purchase Questions

Nice find, good on you for doing your due diligence and asking questions prior to purchase.
sounds like a very nice car, good luck whichever way it turns out.
regards
Roy

[Joe L.]

Re: 1972 LT-1 Pre-purchase Questions

Jerome,

Agreed regarding the solid lifters...the owner is mid-70's and didn't want to have to adjust the valves. I am okay with the hydraulic lifters and will most likely change back to the original cam and lifters in the future.

Spoke with the current owner again last night and he assured me that it is an M-21 with 4.11 gearing.

Asking price is $39k but there is negotiating room. The car is Steel Cities Gray coupe (paint is a solid 8.5-9) with black leather (still has it's original deluxe interior in good shape), PS, PB and tilt. Owner has throughly detailed the engine compartment and chassis. The car has it's original carb, water pump, AIR pump, etc. Only things that didn't match were the windshield, starter and alternator.

Based on the LT-1's I have looked at over the past several months (I have looked at 5 and had 2 inspected) this is by far the nicest. Most seem to be in the mid-upper 30 range.

Ron

Ron------


If this car has lived any of its life in the midwest or northeast or if its entire history is unknown, the most important thing is to check the frame and suspension components for serious corrosion damage. If it exists, the car is a pass regardless of how nice the rest of it is.

[Ron E.]

Re: 1972 LT-1 Pre-purchase Questions

Joe,

I personally looked at the car and the frame and birdcage are solid and rust free along with the suspension components. It is originally an AL car that spent time in AK and ID before going to NY for a couple of years and ultimately the midwest where it currently resides.

One question I do have - when I raised the wiper door there appears to be a good bit of sealant under the windshield, is this normal? It appears to be original and there are no signs of corrosion.

Ron

[Joe L.]

Re: 1972 LT-1 Pre-purchase Questions

Joe,

I personally looked at the car and the frame and birdcage are solid and rust free along with the suspension components. It is originally an AL car that spent time in AK and ID before going to NY for a couple of years and ultimately the midwest where it currently resides.

One question I do have - when I raised the wiper door there appears to be a good bit of sealant under the windshield, is this normal? It appears to be original and there are no signs of corrosion.

Ron

Ron-----

The sealant is normal.

Considering the cars "residences" over the years I'm quite surprised that you found a rust-free frame and birdcage.