69 l71

[Lawrence S.]

I own a 69 L71 with a CE block, the balance of the engine components, carbs, distributor, alternator, coil, heads, intake, are original to the car. The transmission, rear end are original to the car. I have the tank sticker, car is original paint. Furthermore, seems as if the mileage on the odometer at 27K is correct or close to it? So I feel pretty good the car is a 69 L71. BUT, the idle of the car seems more like a L-36 or similar. Here is my question, when a CE block was shipped to the dealer was the cam installed? Did the dealer have to install the cam and assemble the engine? I realize the owner could had opted for a more mellow camshaft. Just curious, because I own or have owned other L78/L71 cars with stock camshafts and this 69 L71 does not idle like the others.

Thanks

Lawrence

[Ralph S.]

Re: 69 l71

Maybe it is an L-36 short block yes the short block came with the camshaft installed

[Larry M.]

Re: 69 l71

Does engine have any info stamped into the front engine pad? Does engine have solid lifters (L-71) or hydraulic lifters (L-36)? If solids, what is the gap/lash?

Mount a dial indicator and check cam lift. That should tell you. A boroscope thru a spark plug opening should also show what pistons are in there.

Larry

[Patrick B.]

Re: 69 l71

A CE block does not have to be a short block. A bare block or fitted block (block and pistons) would also have a CE stamping on the front pad starting in 1968.

[Lawrence S.]

Re: 69 l71

Yes, it has CE stamped on the pad, and yes it has solid lifters, and a four bolt main. Don't think it is a L36 short block. The idle quality just does not have that rolling L78/L71 idle I am use too.

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 l71

Yes, it has CE stamped on the pad, and yes it has solid lifters, and a four bolt main. Don't think it is a L36 short block. The idle quality just does not have that rolling L78/L71 idle I am use too.

Lawrence------

As far as GM big block cams go, there was really nothing "milder" than the L-78/L-72/L-71/LS-6 cams. Most aftermarket mechanical lifter cams for big blocks are at least as aggressive as the GM cams. But, there are some that are milder.

Could someone have installed an aftermarket mechanical roller cam? I suppose it's possible but all aftermarket mechanical roller lifter cams I am aware of are more radical than any factory flat tappet mechanical lifter cam.

[Duke W.]

Re: 69 l71

Typical idle behavior for the SHP big block mechanical lifter cam is 900 @ 14" with a mild lope. They'll idle at 750, but it's pretty lumpy IMO.

Higher idle speeds help start up from a deal stop.

Also, converting the OE ported vacuum advance to full time improves idle quality, but the L-71 OE 201 VAC must be replaced with a 12" B26. The L-72 OE 360 12 (12 @ 12") is okay with full time vacuum advance.

Duke

[Chris H.]

Re: 69 l71

How does the engine perform? Does it pull hard to 6000+ rpm like a typical solid lifter big block?

[Lawrence S.]

Re: 69 l71

Thanks guys. What this car seems to be missing at idle is the rolling idle---not sure how else to describe it.
Joe--thanks for the feedback. Certainly could be worse, and someone put a camshaft in the engine that makes it lumpy but unndriveable.
Duke-I had previously converted to manifold vacuum and mapped the timing per your pdf write up. Since I had taken the distributor out, intake off to repair a rear intake manifold oil leak I need to go back through the setup and switch back to manifold vacuum.
I also removed the oil pan to install a new oil pan gasket the block is drilled for 4 bolt main caps and the windage tray was installed.
Chris-yes the engine pulls hard and does have the characteristics of an L71, just the idle had me befuddled. Guess I am looking for something that is not there on this car.
Lawrence