Ls7

[Tag W.]

Has anyone ever heard of the 1970 optional motor being installed in a car as a warranty replacement?Was this motor available over the counter?If so how would you know it is one,considering there is no paperwork trail on warranty work(i.e.block casting #'s etc.)HAPPY THANKSGIVING .

[Tom H.]

Re: Ls7

Never say never. A good warrany guy back in the day could have gotten it done. Was it the right thing to do? No. Did it happen ? Yep. Can't comment on your exact case, but I know things like this happened. Even if there was a paper trail, you can bet it would not show the warranty "upgrade"

[Tag W.]

Re: Ls7

Tom,so your saying that a motor that was cancelled for production made its way later over the counter,interesting.But how would you know it was an LS7,save taking it apart?

[Tom H.]

Re: Ls7

Like I said, not sure on your exact question on the LS7, but I was commenting on optional parts being installed under warranty. It was done. I forget when the LS7 went into availability over the counter. If it was during the warranty period, I would think the exchange would be possible.

[Dick W.]

Re: Ls7

Tom,so your saying that a motor that was cancelled for production made its way later over the counter,interesting.But how would you know it was an LS7,save taking it apart?

First clue would be an aluminum intake and cylinder heads

[Tag W.]

Re: Ls7

Tom,sorry for not being more clear.Looking at 69 that originally had L89,motor failed and according too original owner was replaced with LS7,I was not aware that this motor was ever sold and or parts for it by dealers,thanks for your answers.

[Tom H.]

Re: Ls7

I probably wasn't much help on your question. Any indication on when the original engine failed and this LS7 was installed ??

[Terry M.]

Re: Ls7

The LS7 was available over the counter for years after 1970. I don't recall how early it was available though.

It is kind of unusual for a whole engine to fail. Usually a warranty replacement would be just the part(s) that failed and the original parts that were reusable were.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Ls7

the 70s LS-7 over the counter engines were 454 with 12.5:1 pistons,180 cam,cast iron heads. the LS-6 was used in the 70 454 450 HP chevelles. now the LS-7 engine is the 427 used in the ZO-6 corvette. yes you could get different engines installed under warranty as i had a 261 truck engine installed in my new 53 chevy when the 216 with the splash oil system pitched the rods. they even put back the dual carb manifold and the mcgurk cam. the service manager was a dad of one of my best friends.

[Chuck S.]

Re: Ls7

...It is kind of unusual for a whole engine to fail. Usually a warranty replacement would be just the part(s) that failed and the original parts that were reusable were.

Yeah, I agree...it depends on what the meaning of the word "engine" is.

In one case I know of, a DEALER'S SON abused his 69 L89 into dropping a valve. All he got was an L89 CE short block (even that was concession...the block was recoverable), and all the rest of the stuff was reused. The valve cover still had a "big poke" dent from retaining a flying push rod. This would have been under warranty in the 70 model year.

Like Dickie said...If the LS7 required any special external parts like intake, exhaust, accessory brackets, etc, then this probably wasn't a warranty replacement. The seller would really like it to be though; that would probably increase the collector value...at least in his mind.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Ls7

[quote=Chuck Sangerhausen (20817);523254]Yeah, I agree...it depends on what the meaning of the word "engine" is.


a lot were "long" block, replacement because the biggest failure on BBC engines were dropped valves and the heads was also ruined. back in the day GM would send a rep around to see the parts that were replaced and the dealer was told to scrap them. i liberated a few aluminum heads for repair. a lot of people are not familiar with the term short block or long block so i posted above the word engine where is should have posted short block in reference to my 53 chevy

[Chuck S.]

Re: Ls7

[quote=Clem Zahrobsky (45134);523266]

...back in the day GM would send a rep around to see the parts that were replaced and the dealer was told to scrap them...

Yup...Exactly what he told me when I asked what became of that perfectly good L89 block. GM wouldn't allow it to be reused or sold as a functional block after they had replaced it.

By the time he was ready to sell that car in his late forties, he understood just how young and stupid he had been. But, when we were 18-20 years old, and had just blown up our Corvette's L89...What would we do if our daddy owned the dealership? Hell, yeah...we'd ask Dad for a brand new engine.

[Tom P.]

Re: Ls7

John Neas bought FOUR LS7 crate engines (in the early 70s), and I believe he still has 2 of them.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Ls7

[quote=Clem Zahrobsky (45134);523266]

Yeah, I agree...it depends on what the meaning of the word "engine" is.


a lot were "long" block, replacement because the biggest failure on BBC engines were dropped valves and the heads was also ruined. back in the day GM would send a rep around to see the parts that were replaced and the dealer was told to scrap them. i liberated a few aluminum heads for repair. a lot of people are not familiar with the term short block or long block so i posted above the word engine where is should have posted short block in reference to my 53 chevy

we can also add the words "cylinder case" to add to the confusion.

[Rich P.]

Re: Ls7

Tom,sorry for not being more clear.Looking at 69 that originally had L89,motor failed and according too original owner was replaced with LS7,I was not aware that this motor was ever sold and or parts for it by dealers,thanks for your answers.

Is this car from PA NJ I head from a few people that a 69 L-89 had a L-S7 swapped in in the Phillipsburg area Don't know if it was warenty or the owner paid for it.

Rich