Cali,68,L-79

Need your advise. I'm not going NCRS on you guys but just not satisfied with the performance and depretiation factor of my engine's my current setup. Here's what I have so far.



I say lose the;
1. Torquer-1 intake in favor of stock intake
2. Buy 4160 Holley, stock for L-79 and hopefully get LARS help.
3. stock fan, clutch and pulley
4. Stock chrome shielding

Buy all via E-bay cheap and recondition myself with exception of carb (LARS please :jester) and chrome shielding (chrome plated with the rear bumpers when car goes in for paint). I can sandblast and paint everything myself at home. Reason is the intake/ carb combo currently on there is great for 2300RPM or greater but has zero performance from idle to 2200RPM, thus street bumper to bumper traffic she bucks in protest, I know part of the problem may be that big cam of unknown lift/ duration Holley with stock intake made 350HP back in 68 so it can be done now with better street manuerisims than the single plane setup. Two the non-stock stuff looks out of place on the otherwise pristine stock engine bay. If I sell her that non-stock equipment will drive down the resale value of a otherwise matching #'s 68 triple black convertible. Your thoughts???

P.S. How much should I bid for a E-bay
1. stock 68 intake, you know with front oil filler
2. stock fan blade
3. clutch I better buy brand new
4. single upper pulley
5. chrome shielding

:confused:


[Modified by Cali,68,L-79, 4:45 PM 3/6/2004]

Paul L

I suspect the cam is your problem not the intake. In any case the 1968 L-79 intake is cast iron #3919803. Here is one on EBay. They go for about $60.00 maximum.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=36474

I very much applaud your intent to restore old original parts. I get a great deal of pleasure out of doing so. This EBay purchase...



is now this.



Fan blade, pulley and shield plus intake should not run you more than $200.00 in total.


[Modified by paul67, 1:30 PM 3/6/2004]


[Modified by paul67, 1:31 PM 3/6/2004]

Jack71

So why are you going back to stock? You mentioned depreciation. If you're not going to sell it, then why bother if you are happy with your current setup? Another option is just to collect the parts so you have that option in the future.




[Modified by Jack71, 2:05 PM 3/6/2004]

1FUNVET

I think it's great the way it is, don't change it. Although if you wanna go stock.......just buy another car that already is. You would prolly spend just as much if not more changing yours! :smash:

sb69coupe

David,

The '68 L-79 did not come with a Holley, it had a Quadrajet. Midyear L-79 cars had the Holley. You could run either carb and be OK on your 327. I applaud you for even considering this set of changes. An engine needs to be designed and built so all individual components work properly together for the intended use of the car. GM spent lots of engineering development dollar$ designing the engine to provide the best trade-off between absolute performance, driveablilty, economy, etc. Lots of folks spend big bucks for the most wicked cam, the largest carb, big exhaust and headers, etc then end up with a car that is nearly undriveable in normal street driving conditions.

:cheers: Shannon

Paul L

Shannon,
Well said! I have never tried to second-guess GM engineers. The 1968 327/350 had a Rochester MV4 #7028219 carb. The Holleys were found only on the 427s.


[Modified by paul67, 4:09 PM 3/6/2004]

PRNDL

I think it is a good idea, and your first $$ going in this direction will be well spent. Of course if you went overboard you would end up spending stupid money. For example, you could spend big bucks looking for the correctly dated Qjet #7028219, or you could spend a lot less and get one that is functionally identical to the original carb. I like the original "look" of my car, but I don't hesitate to make performance mods, like exhaust and headers. :) One thing to be wary of... once you announce your intention of returning the car to stock condition you open yourself up to those who might point out every little detail of your car that is not factory correct! :lol: .... you know, the finish on that screw is supposed to be cadmium dchromate and yours are simply gold plated....

Jack71

Yes, but there's something to be said for new technology as well. Mods aren't strictly for performance, they can also improve driveability & reliability.

btw, I'm all for an original car and can respect that direction. I prefer a blend of new technology and old style class...

74 vert

Now what did I do with those stock front springs that I would me willing to trade for coil-overs? :jester

Just pull the engine and put a crate motor in it. :thumbs:

pillowmeto

Ill trade my stock 76 intake for your torker :D

MAtt

Paul L

I agree. A new Edelbrock Q-Jet would do the job just fine.

killain

I'm proud of you Cali, you'll be happier in the end. But you have quite a bit of work ahead of you. But in the meantime there's a lot of changing, but what the heck, you like twisting wrenches. :chevy

Paul L

If you look at the pic of my L-79 engine clone there are a number of things that are just wrong. Original but wrong. But that's the way I wanted them at the outset although I will correct a few in the spring. Anyone care to guess? In any case that 327 is NOM so I can fool about as I wish ;).

Cali,68,L-79

Are you guys absoulety sure it's a Q-Jet?? I thought so myself but the owners manual states;

"FUEL SYSTEMS: 4-Barrel Downdraft Carburetor with remote Automatic Choke.
300 H.P. Engine-1x4 BBL Model 4160
350 H.P. Engine-1x4 BBL Model 4160
390 H.P. Engine-1x4 BBL Model 4160
400 H.P. Engine-1x4 BBL Model 2300
435 H.P. Engine-1x4 BBL Model 2300

PRNDL

yes, 100% sure. Check the front cover of your owner's manual, does it read, '68 Corvette, or 67 ? :confused:

Mine reads just like yours except after Model it says "4MV"
after 400 HP says "Model 2300"
435 hp, "Model 2300"
430 hp, "Model 4150"

and of course, the 400 and 435 hp say, "3x2 BBL", not 1x4

MJ


[Modified by MNJack, 6:21 PM 3/6/2004]

sb69coupe

David, it does sound like you may have an incorrect owners manual. Even the NCRS judging guide confirms that the 327/350hp L-79 had a Rochester 7028219 carb.

Shannon

Secret Squirrel

Cali, my manual and Blackbook says Q'jet .

Cali,68,L-79

That's weird. I'm starring at a 1968 GM Corvette Owners Manual. It has the GM tademarks all over it. Okay now I'm seriously confused.

LiveandLetDrive

You car is obviously not stock with the coilovers, why doom yourself to 35 year old technology in the engine compartment? I understand you want low end power, but I really don't see how returning to stock is a good idea at all. Learn more about what your engine wants for the RPM range you use, and proceed from there. Dual plane intake and smaller cam (dunno what your current one is?) would definitely be a good step in the right direction. What are your rear gears?

-Chris

Paul L

I sent you an e-mail. The stock is a Q-Jet.