would like some opinions on the motor

[Donnie]

my question is you have an original number matching 70 SS 396 Chevelle and you like to drive it about 500 to 1000 miles a year (dont get into watching it collect dust)
due you leave the number matching motor in and drive it and worry about possibly hurting something. (like to smoke um every now and again)

Or put a 454 crate motor in dress it up so it looks original and have fun and not worry.

[TDW]

Has the engine ever been out of the car? If not, I would leave it. If it has been apart before, it shouldn't hurt anything to put what you want in it.

[mockingbird812]

Judging from your pictures you HAVE had the motor out for a body off resto. Did you do the work? Looks real nice. If you have a history and confidence in the motor, i.e.its been gone thru and you have a reliable tachometer or you let the auto tranny do its thing when you "smoke um every now and again", you shld be able to minimize any threats to your original motor. These were relatively hi po motors and built to take some abuse. If you routinely thrash your car, you may want to consider an engine swap - be advised the rest of the drivetrain is at risk too. Saw you installed chambered exhaust on your '70 and have a posting of the April '69 Chev. bulletin regarding changes to the NC8. Is that an original bulletin?

Enjoy and Good Luck! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

[mhs]

is their any body that can help me figure out if my 70 nova is a yanko or not by the vin.

[sYc]

[ QUOTE ]
is their any body that can help me figure out if my 70 nova is a yanko or not by the vin.

[/ QUOTE ]

You may check for yourself here.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/75999/an/0/page/0#75999

[Donnie]

Tony,
When I bought the car 6yrs. ago the original motor was already out but came with the car.
had a 502 in it that i just sold (got tired of the elec. fuel pump)
Now im trying to make up my mind on which motor to put in.

Sam,
Yes, I did the work, but the paint wasnt touched its a 19yr. old paint job thanks.
the bulletin is an original and the chambered system has been taken off. currently has a Flowmaster system on for a manifold car.

[Donnie]

238 views and only 2 opinions

[SS427]

3........you got mine on the phone. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[TDW]

Hey Donnie..I took a look at the pictures. Nice clean car. Shop looks nice too. I would agree with Sam. If you know you are going to beat on it pretty hard, put the 454 in it. If you just want to hammer it every so often, the factory engine should hold up fairly well.
Have you considered getting another car to make a Hot Rod out of? I have 3 cars that are numbers cars. I wanted one to "beat on", so I bought a 70 Nova. Put a 427 in it. Just finishing the project up. I drive the numbers cars, but there is always that part of my brain that says "take it easy". Don't want my brain to say that when I'm in the Nova. Good luck with the decision.

[Lynn]

Donnie:

I think the lack of opinions is simply a result of others not wanting to "tell you what to do" even though you asked. When I first read your post, I got ready to give you my opinion, which is to just leave the original engine in and drive it hard from time to time. However, then I got to thinking: what if this guy does exactly that and spins a bearing? drops a valve? and worst of all, what if he puts a rod through the side of the block? While the decision is ultimately yours, I honestly don't want to carry the guilt of feeling like I contributed to such a disaster.

However, since you asked; if the engine is put together at least to factory spec, or better, I can't see the harm in an occasional thrashing. After all, the general was willing to stand behind these engines for 5 years or 50,000 miles!!!!! Did they replace a few under warranty? No doubt, but if you are as old as I am, you will remember guys just beating the hell out of these cars, and usually with no serious problems. The biggest exception was probably the rocker studs pulling on the 302's, but then truth be known, they were probably living at 7500 plus RPM. I know of one corvette bronze 68 Z that saw 8,000 on a regular basis.

Heck, I worked at a Buick dealership in the 70's, and one of the techs had a chevy pickup that was almost out of warranty. He decided to "blow" the engine so GM would replace it under warranty. Drained most of the oil out, started it up and put a brick on the accellerator. Let it run WFO on the back lot for about 10 minutes. Other than the hydraulic lifters clattering like hell, no real problems. The guy was so dejected wondering what damage he did to that "great" engine. I remember him saying something like "gee, if I'd known it was that good, I would have just left it alone!" Don't even know what he ended up doing to destroy it, but know that he felt compelled to after he had abused it so badly.

So, the real question is; What kind of confidence do you have in the guy who last built that engine? If it was built correctly, you should have no problems with an occasional thrash. Only thing I would highly recommend is a rev limiter.

Now, if you do blow the damn thing up, just promise me you will take full responsibility. Of course, I am kidding, as I know you will.

Just my opinion.

Lynn

[Salvatore]

1000 miles a year. That is not much. Put the original in. Do it right and it will be good to you. Why would you want to do all that work just to tell everyone the original is home. Motors are easy, body work is what really hurts. Just don't bang it up. Look at Marlin and Frankie with their Yenko Deuces. Neither are afraid to clean the carbon out. Both of their cars are very nice and worth alot of money. I say go for it! Just make sure your tach is not on 6 grand before your oil pressure is on 40 lbs. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif

[JoeG]

Nothing better than bringing an engine up to operating temperature------Just bring common sense to ride shotgun

[COPO427]

If you have an orig numbers matching engine/car then put that baby away and drop in another 396 or 454 and hammer away.

[Zedder]

Since the motor has been out before, rebuild it and drop her back in. You likely won't hurt it with what you are planning to do with the car and lets face it, with the sophistication of restamps now, many don't believe that any motor that has been touched is the guaranteed original. I've looked at tons of original stampings and have always valued original motor cars significantly more than non-OM cars...until this past weekend when a guy I know showed me his newly restamped/broached motor http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif It was darn good and I bet many experienced gearheads would think that it was the original stamping! I'm starting to value paperwork more than motors now on restored cars http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/scholar.gif

[Canuck]

I know many of the guys who Participate in the Pure Stock Drags ahve replaced their numbers blocks with other engines that can withstand the abuse while preserving the cars history. If you are only driving 500-100 miles per year and just want to "mash some carpet" on occasion stick with the original. I do that at least 6 times year with my 442. Let the tranny do the shifting (Automatics of course)and for your own satisfaction install a set of good mechanical oil and temp guages.

Paul Martin

[Canuck]

On second look at your photos I see you have the guages-move that floor mat out of the way and let her rip!!

[mockingbird812]

[ QUOTE ]
238 views and only 2 opinions

[/ QUOTE ]

Pretty shy bunch of guys with no opinions! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Belair62]

Put the original back in and flog the living crap out of it...

[JoeG]

Things didn't go as planned on that blind date?

[Donnie]

O.K. if I put the original back in should I leave it all stock?
Or do a cam change or would a cam change hurt the value of the car?
thanks Donnie

[Zedder]

Stock if it was mine...

[COPO427]

If you swap the cam them it's not the same OEM spec'd engine. If you install a L78 cam then your cloning a L78 now.

[Stuart Adams]

How long do you plan on owning the car is the main question. If only a couple years = 2000 miles then leave the original motor in. If many years then put a great crate motor in, one even better than the original and torture the back tires, enjoy.

[Donnie]

Thanks for the opinions ive decided to put the original motor back in.
now i just hope i dont change my mind.