Project OT II: The rebirth

[Orange Terror]

1-3/4, definitely. That is a SWEET freakin' motor there. A Vette guy will give his eyeteeth for that to restore his 71 LT-1.

They only made 1949 LT-1s in '71, and it was underrated at 330 hp from the factory.

If you make less than 400 at the crank, I'd be disappointed with all the work that's been done to it.

As an aside, DON'T THROW ANYTHING AWAY FROM THAT MOTOR. If you pull the cam out, check the numbers to see if it's an LT-1 cam, etc. If the guy you bought it from has any of the old parts, ask if you can have them.

The valve covers are worth a few hundred bucks to a Corvette guy.

The C3 LT-1s are hotter than a cat on fire right now.

Yep exactly.

Well, here's the situation. I got it from a cousin of my dad's ( technically like a 3rd or 4th cousin to me). His vette he bought new in '71 and is the only owner of it ever. Just cause you guys are like family I will tell you that I couldn't pass this up, I got it for well under $1000 cause it's family and he had no place to store the motor and didn't want to see it sit or take the time trying to sell it.

Now, any parts on it I don't want he's getting back cause they are the originals, valve covers, distributor etc. I also agreed, because he ask, that if I ever decide I am done with this motor or aren't going to use it he wants first crack at it because it is the numbers matching motor.

He said he was pretty sure it's a comp 270h cam in it now, I hadn't planned on looking but just for grins since I have plenty of gaskets laying around I may look and double check. I can tell you this, they had the valve covers loose when I got there because he was supposed to swap them out but forgot too and the rocker/spring area of the heads is spotless. It's had nothing but Mobil 1 in it since break in.

Yeah, I'm really thinking it should easily be making 350+ hp without much problem. Regardless I don't see me having to much trouble keeping up with most cars on the road.

[tenpin842]

awsome progress!! Keep it up!

[WMCC Doug]

Jasen, why would you get rid of the CAMARO valve covers? Those came on Z28's from 1969 through 1974, and are very hard to find today. (Obviously, they came on Corvettes, too, but are not "Corvette" only valve covers.) They are one of my favorite parts on my '74 Z engine. They're classic, and I love 'em.

[Orange Terror]

Jasen, why would you get rid of the CAMARO valve covers? Those came on Z28's from 1969 through 1974, and are very hard to find today. (Obviously, they came on Corvettes, too, but are not "Corvette" only valve covers.) They are one of my favorite parts on my '74 Z engine. They're classic, and I love 'em.

Well Doug, unfortunately, they have the corvette emblem on them, and he wants them back, I was not supposed to get them at all.

[WMCC Doug]

The ones on the Camaros are exactly the same, crossed flags emblem, and all. Too bad you can't keep tham.

[Orange Terror]

Just for fun, I thought I'd tell you guys what replaced this motor in his Corvette. He's in his early 60's and decided he's got the money, why not have a lot of power to play with while he still can.

He had Performance Engineering build him a 434 CI Small block using a Dart block and heads. The entire rotating assembly is forged, its right around 10.5:1. 4.00" stroke, 4.155" bore. Not sure of the exact cam specs but its a very healthy full roller valvetrain with hydraulic lifters. I believe it has a single plane Holley intake. On top of that it has a nice 850 cfm dual feed, dual pump manual secondary Holley Carb. MSD ignition, 1-7/8" primary headers dumping to 3" collectors out to 4" sidepipes. It sounds very good.

Oh and he had it dyno tuned before he picked it up, 504 hp at 5500 RPM's and 549 ft. lbs. of torque at 3500 RPM's. I also know he spent around $13k on it.

Not to bad if you ask me.

[Orange Terror]

The ones on the Camaros are exactly the same, crossed flags emblem, and all. Too bad you can't keep them.

Really, didn't know that. Yeah, to bad. Honestly not sure what I wanna do yet for dress up. I'm kinda tired of the shiny chrome/polished look. We'll see. Gonna depend a lot on $$$.

[JAdair]

Wow very nice engine you got there cant wait till its all done up now for more pictures in the day light lol

[Orange Terror]

Wow very nice engine you got there cant wait till its all done up now for more pictures in the day light lol

Thanks!! Will probably be doing something very soon, though I don't expect to fire it till next spring but it won't be sitting there for to long hopefully.

[kammi10]

get to work OT

[WMCCjames]

Just for fun, I thought I'd tell you guys what replaced this motor in his Corvette. He's in his early 60's and decided he's got the money, why not have a lot of power to play with while he still can.

He had Performance Engineering build him a 434 CI Small block using a Dart block and heads. The entire rotating assembly is forged, its right around 10.5:1. 4.00" stroke, 4.155" bore. Not sure of the exact cam specs but its a very healthy full roller valvetrain with hydraulic lifters. I believe it has a single plane Holley intake. On top of that it has a nice 850 cfm dual feed, dual pump manual secondary Holley Carb. MSD ignition, 1-7/8" primary headers dumping to 3" collectors out to 4" sidepipes. It sounds very good.

Oh and he had it dyno tuned before he picked it up, 504 hp at 5500 RPM's and 549 ft. lbs. of torque at 3500 RPM's. I also know he spent around $13k on it.

Not to bad if you ask me.

$13K...wow, what a waste of money. Could of had a lot more for those dollars.

Sounds like the deal worked out well for you on the old motor. BTW Jasen....ditch the Mobile 1 unless your are planning on putting in an additive.

[meissen]

Very nice!!!!!

[81DaytonaPaceCar]

....ditch the Mobile 1 unless your are planning on putting in an additive.

Yeah, much as I hate to say it, I'll run Mobile 1 but only if I add a quart of Lucas to it as well...good thing Gary found that article...

[ITSSLOW]

Sweet! Glad to see you've made some progress on the car! I'll be back in Big Rapids in a month and I'll be more then glad to come help one night if you want. I have no Friday classes so 3 day weeks all year!!!!!

[WMCC Gary]

Yeah, much as I hate to say it, I'll run Mobile 1 but only if I add a quart of Lucas to it as well...good thing Gary found that article...

Your Welcome.