Help needed....

**gearheadmex** · #1 07-23-2008, 07:40 AM

on 1969 Corvette.

The family that used to own my 71 Z28 has had a 1969 Corvette for as long as I can remember. This weekend I took the camaro to a car show and they stopped to look at the Z28 since I redid it, While talking they told me they were going to sell the vette as it just sits all the time taking up space in garage. To freshen my memory I asked what engine was in the car and they said a 396,and of course I questioned that it had a 396 in it and what was the original motor. They said when they purchased the car it had a "rat" motor in it and it was too radical for the wife to drive so they swapped it for the 396 that is in it now.
So the help I need is to know of any L88 specific things to look for or anyway of understanding if this was originally a BBC vette.

I get first chance to purchase and I will get down to look at it and take some pics this weekend so if I know of areas to take detailed pics I can get good shots of those areas.

Thanks

**John Brown** · #2 07-23-2008, 08:20 AM

69 L88 Corvettes didn't have fan shrouds and may have been radio delete cars without ignition shielding too. The center console should have a plate telling what engine was original to the Vette. All of those things could have been changed over the years though. As I recall there is a difference in 69 L88 radiator support, probably didn't have holes to mount the fan shroud, but can't give you the exact specifics though. Here's a dandy article on one for you.
http://www.corvettefever.com/feature...tte/index.html

Chris KH2PM · #3 07-23-2008, 09:53 AM

Here's another link with info. About 8 years ago I photographed this very same blue Roadster at a Houston classic car dealer. I have detailed pics with block numbers and VIN that surprisingly match as well. I didn't go so far as to check date codes and such though.

The mystery ZL1...

http://www.vetteweb.com/features/vem...zl1/index.html

**Fast67VelleN2O** · #4 07-24-2008, 12:19 AM

Look for rear sway bar, bolt down universal caps on the rear end for the half shafts, and high redline tach.

**gearheadmex** · #5 07-25-2008, 04:27 AM

Well got down to look at the vette...

Console data plate

Notice the Eckler front end.

62K miles

5600 redline?

Engine bay

Can someone direct me on where I can decode the trim tag.

Trim Tag

Does have rear sway bar, could not see the joints as we spent 20 minutes just getting to the car and to get the door open.

Thanks,

Chris KH2PM · #6 07-25-2008, 05:35 AM

Great pics! Good to see you were able to get up close and personal with it. What are you going to do now..buy it and restore it? Apparently it has been a BBC Vette all along. 390 Horse 427. Didn't they option them with Tri-Power or was that the 400 HP 427...hmmmm. IIRC the 390 was a single carb, iron intake.

Regarding 'Rat' motors..all Big Block Chevy's are 'Rat' motors (I don't like the term MOTOR, but what the heck..a shop teacher years ago would rant and say a MOTOR is electric and an ENGINE is gas! hehehehe). A 'Mouse' motor is a Small Block Chevy.