70 Vette Numbers ?

[jmike10]

Need help. I'm new to the site but need help please. I'm considering a purchase of a 70 vette. I have a few problems with some of the numbers I have obtained not all adding up. For example:
VIN # 194370S402086 tells me its a 1970 corvette coupe. The pad on front of the motor says the following: T402086 and V0120CTJ. My books tell me it is a numbers matching car since the last 6 digits match the VIN # on the drivers side pillar. It also tells me it was made in Flint on Jan. 20 1970. With me so far? According to my reference books, CTJ means a 350/350 motor
with manual transmission. Problem #1, Its an automatic.! With a/c......? The alternator # is 1100884. Once again my books tell me this alternator was made for the high performance motor, 350cu/370hp ?? The intake # is 3965577 which could be either 350/300 or 350/350...?? Confused yet...? Do the tail pipes run THROUGH the frame or UNDERNEATH?
Mine run through the frame as it passes the tranny. I do not have the tranny or differential numbers as of yet. Any help would be appreciated. Also, what is the absolute best way to be 100% positive of what I have and what was original to the car???

Thanks in advance...Mike

[fatherlarry]

Welcome aboard!



http://www.vettescape.com/

For small block and big block, the exhaust goes through the cross member, under the frame to the exhaust pipes that hold the tips which are under the frame. If it's a '68-'69 the tips that come out of the exhaust on the rear lower body panel are round. In 1970 through 1972 they're rectangle. As far as I know, all engines ran the exhaust the same way, big and small blocks.

As far as the alternator, being it has AC, if they put the air in later and it was a 350/350 with higher compression, they would have put the heavier alternator with the larger stator, hence the number of alternator would indicate 350/370, unless they changed the engine and tranny as one unit from another Vette, same year, then the alt and engine would match. I believe that the alternators from the 350/350 with air conditioning had the same amps as the LT1. I understand your confusion, because something isn't right. As far as the tranny, you're right that it should be manual from what I read, therefore, the tranny was changed also.

It could also be that the vin # was messed around with. Remote but a possibility. Have you done a carfax on it? Did you buy the car from a dealer or private? Maybe you can trace it down.

It sounds like you car has been played with according to the numbers you have given me. The vin# indicates that it was builit in St Louis, January 1970, according to Vettescape. Also, you may want to drop the tank and see if the build sheet is there. That would definitely answer all you questions. Good luck.

I wish I could help you more. Maybe someone else here can help you shed more light on it.

[MKOTZE]

Originally posted by jmike10
Need help. I'm new to the site but need help please. I'm considering a purchase of a 70 vette. I have a few problems with some of the numbers I have obtained not all adding up. For example:
VIN # 194370S402086 tells me its a 1970 corvette coupe. The pad on front of the motor says the following: T402086 and V0120CTJ. My books tell me it is a numbers matching car since the last 6 digits match the VIN # on the drivers side pillar. It also tells me it was made in Flint on Jan. 20 1970. With me so far? According to my reference books, CTJ means a 350/350 motor
with manual transmission. Problem #1, Its an automatic.! With a/c......? The alternator # is 1100884. Once again my books tell me this alternator was made for the high performance motor, 350cu/370hp ?? The intake # is 3965577 which could be either 350/300 or 350/350...?? Confused yet...? Do the tail pipes run THROUGH the frame or UNDERNEATH?
Mine run through the frame as it passes the tranny. I do not have the tranny or differential numbers as of yet. Any help would be appreciated. Also, what is the absolute best way to be 100% positive of what I have and what was original to the car???

Thanks in advance...Mike Hello JMIKE10, As for your number problem it would appear that the automatic transmission was added as your engine codes definitely point to a manual trans. with a/c. the VIN# being on the block should mean that it was the original engine. Although you cannot be 100% sure of this, because there are people who will restamp the blocks. I checked the alternator and intake manifold numbers and they are all correct for a 350cid/350hp with A/C. The alternator would be a 61amp output used with the A/C. As for the automatic trans. there are codes on the trans that will tell you where it came from. There are three possible trans you could have The powerglide or the turbohydramatic350 the codes would be located on the right hand side of the trans above the transmission oil pan. It could also have a turbohydramatic 400 which would have the numbers on a plate that is mounted on the right hand side of the transmission. The numbers will tell you when it was built and what car line it came in. Check for the numbers and let me know what you find. Other numbers that could help you would be the distributor number, which is a tag mounted to the base of the distributor and the rear end code, which is on the center edge of the rear end housing.:chevy: MKOTZE

[jmike10]

Thanks MKOTZE--
I believe you are right, after further review we believe that it originally came with a manual tranny. The rear end code was
"L 1 9", which is December 1, 1969...Is that correct? Cylinder head casting numbers were 3927186...Engine block 3970010.
Still checking other numbers...Let me know, but I think someone replaced the manny with an automatic. How hard would it be to change it back? So many questions so little time...

Mike

[Red70vette]

If you are looking for information on 70 vettes go to the 1970 Corvette registry. Lot's of pictures of vin stampings, trans codes, etc.

Remember the car you are looking at is 30 years old. Unless the buyer is representing it as a "numbers matching" or NCRS correct vehicle the likelihood that numerous parts have been changed or upgraded over the years is very high. That doesn't make it bad.

You need to decide what you want to do with the car before you buy it. Have a plan and buy a car that fits it and your budget. If you want a NCRS top flight candidate learn what to look for and be prepared to pay handsomely for it. If you want one that looks good and is fun to drive, numbers matching and original components should not be a concern. It will cost you a lot less and few if anyone will know that the auto trans is not original unless you tell them.

Most of all have fun. Drive it like you stole it!!!