68 Corvette Vin Number Location engine size

[Daniels]

Hi everybody,
Just bought a 68 corvette convertible. The previous owner swapt the engine and since I'm looking forward to do a frame off restoration, I'd like to know which engine was the original one installed in the car.

I couldn't find the vin plate, I've searched everywhere in front of the windshield's driver side, but couldn't find it. (is it like on camaros next to the dash pad? or is it next to the wipers?)

The actual engine, from what I could find out by the numbers is a 1970-73 400Ci (casting number 3951511). TO807CLK

From what the previous owner said, it had a 427 Ci engine in it, but when he blew it, he changed it for a 350!(which is not true since the numbers say something different).

I'd like to buy the correct engine for it, but first I'd like to be sure about what to buy.

The only plate I've found was the one below the drivers side Piller post. It says Chevrolet L22 then the trim and paint code.

Any Ideas what L22 stands for? or how I could find out the propper engine size for the car?
It has original AC, no power brakes, PW, PS,MT.

Thanks for any help

Dan

 

[matchframe]

If '68 is like the other sharks, the VIN should be on the windshield post on the drivers side. Welcome to CAC and Be sure to keep us up to date on your restoration!

 

[Paul Borowski]

L22 was July 22, 1968. You can't tell what engine was originally in a '68 by the VIN. First, you might have to find the build sheet on top of gas tank(if it's there), second, what RPM redline does your tach have? Does it have rear sway bar?

 

[Daniels]

Hi Guys,
Thanks a lot for the fast reply!
Found the Vin nr. It was all covered with dust and was really hard to read. Anyway, after cleaning it I could read 194378S423392.

The Tach reads 6K for the red line, I couldn't find any rear swaybar, may it have been taken off?

I'll start taking the car appart tomorrow, for sure I'll start with the fuel tank.

Thanks again for your help!

Dan
PS, That's a pic from the rear end.

 

[JonM]

3951511 70 - 73 400 255-265 4 Bolt mains/HD Truck/Pass


http://www.thedirtforum.com/castings.htm

 

[68Roadster]

Dan,
Your VIN is kind of weird.....19437 is the base coupe, not convertible.....should have been 19467.....maybe I'm missing something.

When I get home, I'll dig out the assembly manual and come up with some things that may help with the mystery regarding which engine it came with. The big blocks had a few things diff from ones delivered with base 327's.....

Does it have the big block hood??

Cee

 

[Robert N]

The build sheet, as mentioned above, will be the only real way to confirm the original engine.

 

[sj20343]

68Roadster is right, that vin number is for a coupe. Here are the facts based on the vin that you provided.

Division (1): Chevrolet
Car Line (9437): Corvette Sport Coupe
Model Year (8): 1968
Plant (S): St. Louis, MO
Sequence Number: 423392

Good luck!

 

[Daniels]

Thanks again Guys,
I will have to reconfirm the Vin Number again, maybe I just read it wrong. I don't know much about the C3 Corvette, since this will be the first one I will restore but most of the existing books and assembly manuals are on their way via mail.

The hood looks like it's from a Big Block, I'm posting a Picture for you to view it and confirm me about it.

Thanks again for your help.

Dan

 

[68Roadster]

Dan,
Thanks for the pic......my books show 327's and 427's as the only engines for 1968. Looks like someone has done some modifications.

The hood looks like the L36 hood except it should have 427 numerals in lieu of 454.

I think you are gonna have to got to the tank sticker to find out what this really was (is).

I'll keep diggin thru the assy manual.

Cee

 

[69autoXr]

L22 is the body build date code. L stands for July 1968, and 22 refers to the day of the month.

Chris

 

[Robert N]

It looks like a big block hood to me.

 

[SolidLifters]

There are a number of ways to determine an original big block car as well as a special high performance big block, but unfortunately most all can be faked. All big blocks had a rear sway bar. If it had been removed, there'd still be 2 holes in the top of the trailing arms, surrounding the large hole where the outer leaf spring link bolts are dropped through the trailing arm. This is assuming that the car has the original trailing arms. The radiators are different between big block and small block, and most probably the 68 big blocks don't have expansion tanks or any signs of one, although I'm basing this on 67's, since the 69's had the new style radiator and required the tanks. In the case of the SHP big block, there would be only one fuel line on the frame (no small return line to the rear) and a transitor ignition box on the front of the left front innner skirt, or at least holes showing it had been there. This doesn't absolutely determine the SHP engine, since it was optional on other engines also, but the abscence of it postitively eliminates the SHP engine, since it was a mandatory option. Factory air would eliminate the SHP option also. A HD rear with the bolt/saddle type U joint retention hardware as opposed to u bolts is required with the big blocks also.

Since the hood has 454 emblems it's obviously either non original or has had emblem replacement.

 

[Daniels]

Hi Guys,
thanks a lot for all your comments on the "way to find the originality" of my car. As for the hood emblems, the previous owner told me that they where changed while the car still had the BB installed. As for the comments about why they did that, apparently they wanted to "show off" what was under the hood.

Just ran the car to the workshop today and on saturday I'm plannig to start taking it appart. My Idea is to disassemble and lift the body first, lets see if I can find all items you mentioned...
thanks again

Daniel

 

[68Roadster]

Daniel,
So whats happenin in the DR and how did your Vette end up on the island?? Did you buy it there or have it shipped in??

I might be over that way in the future looking at an aircraft engine, if so, I'll drop by for the nickel tour....

Be sure and let us know what the tank sticker says, hope it's still there.

 

[Daniels]

Hi guys,
Well tomorrow is the big day, the space at the workshop is clear and all the tools are ready. I'll start taking all the interior and crome parts out first, hood, radiator and hoses, brake lines and all the wiring... at the end of the day, I hope I'll have the body off the frame... let's see how it goes!

The story of the car is long, as for what I was told... some guy brought it in the early 70´s, his brother had a 68 coupe and he had the convertible...(the local girls loved those cars, so the history says...) anyway the car changed hands several times untill 3 weeks ago I bought it from the guy who blew the engine.

A friend at work told me he would start making the homepage with all data and pics from the restoration (I think he got excited when I showed him a Swiss Corvette Restoration team website)

By the way, If you haven't seen it, it's very interesting and well detailed.

If you're coming to the DR send me an email and we could maybe get in touch.

Regards to all

Dan

here's the webpage, check it out

http://www.vette.ch/index-en.htm

 

[chevyaddict]

Hey Daniels welcome aboard! We have a 68 convertible as well - original A/C car. We are looking for the original block too. The person we bought ours from scored the original block and took all the original components off of the 327 and put them on a 350. So, we are looking for the HP suffix code since ours is an A/C power steering car.

haven't began the restoration on it yet - but hope to some time in the future. Keep in touch; if you have specific questions we might be able to help!! :Twist