would like some opinions on the motor

**Donnie** · #1 01-10-2006, 07:43 PM

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 · #2 01-10-2006, 08:28 PM

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** · #3 01-10-2006, 08:48 PM

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!

mhs · #4 01-10-2006, 08:51 PM

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

sYc · #5 01-10-2006, 08:55 PM

[ 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.

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/show...0/page/0#75999

**Donnie** · #6 01-10-2006, 10:02 PM

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** · #7 01-11-2006, 10:32 PM

238 views and only 2 opinions

**SS427** · #8 01-11-2006, 10:36 PM

3........you got mine on the phone.

TDW · #9 01-11-2006, 10:45 PM

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** · #10 01-11-2006, 10:48 PM

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

Dedicated to the Promotion and Preservation of American Muscle Cars, Dealer built Supercars and COPO cars.