69 427 Conv. purchase help

[Jack Corrao]

Hi all,

Could anyone provide me with tips to authenticate a 427 car I am looking to purchase. It's a 390hp car with the correct hood, LM stamp and vin stamped on the block but no paperwork. It has been restored with new paint, interior, chrome but not undercarriage so there may be a tank sticker. The one discrepancy I see is that the tach has a 5800 yellow line and a 6000 redline. I am prety sure the 390 and 400hp cars had a 5600 redline. Should this be a cause for concern to look deeper or is it an oddball? How can I tell if the tach or the engine is not original to the car? I was hoping for some other ways of determining if this was a real 427 car or a "clone". Any underhood items not easily changed of fuel line sizes unique to a 390 car? It's not cheap so I am concerned that if I do drop the tank after I get it home and find a tank sticker it could be a let down. Should I use a Corvette appraiser/inspector?

Thanks alot,

Jack

[Jerry Clark]

Re: 69 427 Conv. purchase help

Jack
Check for the presence of a rear swaybar. The SB fuel line would stop short of where the BB line would but this is a difficult comparison if you have nothing to compare.
The 390-400 should have the 5600 redline you mentioned but I would simply suspect a tach swap if all other indicators are correct. The 5/16 vs 3/8 fuel line is a myth.
Obviously BB vs SB core support, shroud and radiator….I must be missing something
Nest of Luck
jer

[Jack Corrao]

69 427 Conv. purchase help

I have a photo of the engine stamping LM and VIN. I read in "Chevrolet by the numbers" that you can tell by the pattern left from the factory milling process can authenticate the stamping. Whereas if it were a restamp it would have been milled and left a different pattern. It appears to have a "moire" pattern as described. If anyone thinks they discern if the stamp is original by a photo email me and I will email it to you. This would pretty much tell me if its a real car.

Thanks again,

Jack

[Jerry Clark]

"This would pretty much tell me if its a real car.

Not by a country mile Jack

[Craig S.]

Re: "This would pretty much tell me if its a real

Jack - as Jerry states, there is a lot to look at to validate authenticity. However, you can compare the stamp to the photo I sent you of a 67 435 pad. The photo you sent me was not clear enough for me to tell if it is original. Best of luck!...Craig

[Robert C.]

Re: "This would pretty much tell me if its a real

You should get someone that knows what to look for in your area. There are NCRS judges everywhere and for a fee will same you thousands! Call Roy Sinor , National Judging Chairman, for someone in your area. If you're in Dallas I'll do it.