Advice on non-stock motor in '79 coupe

[Newbie79]

I have an opportunity to pick up a '79 T-top with 106k miles for under $7000. The motor is supposedly a 350 '69 Camaro engine 4-bolt main (HF suffix stamp on the passenger side - front of block). It has a Quadrajet carb.

I don't know much about engines, but the car is very clean - new rotors and calipers, u-joints, new (Auburn?) posi rear end, factory wheels, new tires, good bushings, Edelbrock intake, stock tranny, very little undercarriage rust -- interior has some minor flaws. Can anyone positively ID this engine and say if it is a good combo with the trans, and whether $7K is too much?

I can provide engine photos if needed. The seller has put about 10K into restoration. I don't know if the engine has been rebuilt.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

-- Soon to be Vette owner in SLC

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Before buying this car you need to make a decision. Is numbers matching important to you? Arguments can be made both ways for the value, etc. People will take the position that the low HP years will not increase in value as much as the early C3's. With a low HP car you migh be inclined to make it non stock to get more ponies out of it anyway so the originality might not be an issue. Etc.

Once you have answered these questions, and if you are still interested, then you need to take another look at the car. There is a checklist here for going over the car. Assuming it has been well maintained, he has the receipts to support the alleged work, rust is not a problem and it is in goodshape, $7,000 seems like a good price. Before making a final decision, have it looked over by someone that knows Vettes.

Bob

 

[MidShark]

bobchad made some good points, and I agree that under $7000 seems like a good price. As far as the engine is concerned, HF does translate to a '69 350/250 HP 2bbl. w/powerglide. It also was stamped on some '65-'68 327s, so you'd want to get the casting # and date to be sure of what you're getting. Find out if you can what was done to the engine, just so you know. If it moves the car along good, that's all that really matters.
Dick

PS- Welcome to the CAC!