Is my engine a LT-1??

[stingray71]

Hi there can someone tell me what engine I have:nr Is
V0331CHX Is it a LT-1 or?? and is it the right engine for
my car nr Is 194371S112339
Thank You

 

[MidShark]

stingray71
Welcome to the CAC!
Well, the only reference I come up with that shows a CHX code says it's a 350-170HP 4-bbl. out of a '77 Nova, Chevelle, or Monte Carlo. The original engine would have the last 6 digits of your VIN # stamped on the front pad also. Hey, I'll bet a Corvette is quite an unusual sight in Norway!
Dick

 

[72LT1Steve]

stingray71: The '71 LT-1 engine suffix was "CGZ" or "CGY". The latter being for the ZR-1 option. The V0331 is the engine build date. For Corvette engines the break down is:

V = Flint Plant
03 = Month Built (March)
31 = day built (31st)

Midshark is also on the money regarding the last six digits IE: 112339. The # should/would be on the engine pad as well. The last five numbers do represent the cars consective build number IE: 12339 meaning the 12,339th vette made in '71. That does put it in mid or so March '71 for being built. So your motor wouldn't have been built after the car has been put together. In my car, where it was built on January 13th 1972, the engine code break down shows a pre car build date of Dec. 13th, a month earlier.

Hope this helps

Steve

 

[stingray71]

next on The Lt-1 show

I've contacted the former owner who still says it is an original
engine with 330hp made for -71 mod with ref. to blackbook
his ref nr for engine is: 3970010 so im still in that ??? corner
:confused :confused :confused :confused
Yours Ken

 

[Billy]

The 3970010 number only refers to the block casting number which was machined/installed for both 2-bolt(passenger car) and 4-bolt (truck and LT-1 Corvette) applications throughout the 70's. Hope this helps.

 

[69autoXr]

I've checked my reference (Chevrolet By the NUmbers: 1970-75) and do not find the CHX code listed for any engine through '75, so that would support MidShark's reference. My book also lists CGZ and CGY as LT-1 and ZR-1/LT-1, also concurring.

What else can you tell us about your motor and your car? Does it have the big block/LT-1 hood, with the LT-1 stripe and decal? Does the engine have a Holley carb, aluminum intake and valve covers? 69's and 70's had a plate on the shifter console identifying the engine's hp and torque ratings, do 71's? Is it possible it is an original LT-1 with a replacement block??

Chris

 

[stingray71]

Well,
It seemed to me that it was an LT-1 because it has manuel trans
2,5" exaust ,solid lifters (mechanical),the int is shifted(km speedo
up to 320km!!)finned alu tops (might be changed)carb is new
but block is no doubt from a welle,nova,carlo.I dont know
if they had mec.lifters in -77?no ac ,no power brake ,hood is rebuilt with a pro stock scoop.
Thank You all for Your attention
xray

 

[LTdash1]

Checking 1970/71 LT-1 Vettes

Fortuneatly I own a 1972 LT-1 and the engine code is in the VIN# (5th digit must be an "L" why I don't get any brownie points for this over a 1971 LT-1 in the pricing guides I cannot understand) I will tell you what to look for in a early car to determine if it is: one of the best Vettes EVER! (in my humble opinion, Heh Heh.) The 1970 and 71 LT-1's all had K-66 Transistor ignition, there would be signs up ahead of the radiator support on the driver's side fender skirt in the headlight area showing holes for the mounting of the missing ignition amplifier box and there should still should be a 3 prong plug assembly in the wiring harness up there somewhere. The wiring by the disributor near the firewall would also be butchered to make a repalcement distributor function in the absence of the K-66 "mag pulse" distributor. The Tachometer should read a 6000 to 6500 RPM redline unless the subject is a 1972 A/C LT-1 which will have the same 5000 to 5600 RPM redline of a hydraulic lifter big block Vette. The early cars are easily faked and I have left out some details so that unscrupulious types cannot use my well intended information to create more "clones". I hope this helps you, Eric B.

 

[GaryS]

You have been given some good information and your observations of the engine help. However, most of the items that you mention, valve covers, interior labels, etc can be changed. According to "The Complete Chevrolet V-8 Engine Code Guide Book", the CHX code is for 1977 Nova, Chevelle, or Monte Carlo and had 170 hp with a four barrell carb. The 397010 is a WIDELY used block and is in everything up to and including trucks. You have to go by what is stamped on the engine and by other signs such as has been described concerning transistorized ignition etc. Your best bet is to go to www.ncrs.org and click on their store logo. Buy yourself the 1970-72 Judging guide and it will give you more information about your car and what it DID come with, not what someone else claims it came with.
Gary
1972 LT1