68 327

[scor68]

I am in the process of buying a 68 corvette. It is a matching #'s car, but I don't know how to tell which version of the327 is in the car. How can I find that and other optional equipment? Any help is appreciated.

 

[ChuckG]

On the stamp pad, there will be a letter/number sequence, something like V0224XX . The V is Flint Engine Plant, the 02 is February, the 24 is the 24th day. This is the engine assembly date, Feb. 24. The "XX" letters will tell you the original horsepower, manual or auto trans, and a few other things that might have been used, like AC. Post the suffix and we can tell you what it "originally" was. The codes for 68 are HE, HO, HP, and HT for small blocks. Chuck

 

[scor68]

68327

Here is the code on the pad - V0415HO. I didn't see anything else except the production number that matches the VIN.

 

[ChuckG]

V0415HO translates as (V) Flint Engine Plant, 0414 is April 14th. , the assembly date, and HO is a 327--300HP coupled with an automatic transmission. Chuck

 

[68Roadster]

Glad to hear someone else is picking up a first year Shark!

I wouldn't trade mine for anything else but we sure do pay the price in finding parts, etc. So many things were changed in '69 that we get hosed when looking for '68 parts....

Let us know if yo get the ride and the details....

Cee

 

[Stallion]

What is so different from the '68 to the '69? Richard Newton says that '68 - '72 are almost identical. Can you explain? Thanks!

 

[BigBrakeFuelie]

I don`t know all the changes that were made but I do know that they increased the displacement of the base engine.The 68`s had a base motor of 327 cubes and the 69`s were 350 cubes.Cosmetically they put the Stingray badge back on the 69`s and the 68`s were bare.

 

[ChuckG]

Different doors with the pushbutton "opener", different door panels, different console, different steering wheel, ignition in the dash, not on the column, unique interior light lenses, unique passengers dashboard, different trim around the fender where it meets the windshield, possibly different sized headlight openings, unique windshield washer system, non-reinforced front fender surround areas, unique back-up lights and tail/brake light configuration.......and on, and on. Chuck

 

[68Roadster]

Stallion,
ChuckG hit the nail on the head.....pick up an Ecklers catalog and look at how many parts for sharks just fit 68's....theres alot of stuff that applies for 69-75, and it's usually cheaper than the 68 stuff.....

There are even several differences between my car (delivered in Oct/67 and ones delivered later in 68....this being the first year of the shark, the early 68 car was almost a prototype. In 69 they fixed all the complaints about the 68.

Don't get me wrong...I LOVE my car and I love it's uniqueness, it's just hard to find parts every now and then. If it is a one off for 68's and it's not readily available, your'e gonna pay......

 

[Stallion]

Hmm...I see what you mean. Where do you usually go/search to get Vette parts for your Vette? Do you have to work on your '68 a lot? Or is it just modifications/restoration work you do?

 

[ChuckG]

68's are unique. I think they're neat. I've never owned one, but I've recently helped my friend and neighbor with two of them. First was a blue/blue 68 coupe, which he restored and sold. A year or two ago, he bought a 68 roadster, also blue/blue. It's a real project car that had severe frame rust.

SO....by association, I'm familiar with 68's. To me, and to many of my "NCRS type" resto friends, looking for "the right stuff" is where the fun in the Corvette hobby is.

Looking for "the right stuff" for a 68 is a challenge. That being said, with several exceptions, you can make later shark parts "work" to get the car down the road, but it wouldn't be "factory correct". Chuck

PS: A few more differences I forgot....smooth gauge console, 7" rally wheels, different rear valence to accomidate the back up lights, unique seat belts, unique console for the seat belt buckles...... ??? Any more?

 

[68 Roadster]

One of my favorite things about the 68 is the ignition in dash.For the first little while I kept going to the steering column to start the car:grinsanta

 

[68Roadster]

Stallion,
You can get almost everything you want from most of the dealers out there today.....there are a few parts that nobody makes and those are usually the ones you need. Right now I'm having a hard time finding the bezel that holds the windshield wiper switch and has the air conditioning duct in the middle above the guages. I am going to end up using a bezel from a 69 just because I can't find a 68 one.....

He was right about the guage bezel.....look at what a center console guage bezel costs for a 68 and then see what one costs for a 69/above.....you are paying for the uniqueness......I paid over 300. for a new one and the the 69/up goes for about 199.

Good luck......