Need LS-7 Motor or shortblock dated 5-70 to 11-70

[Larry Clain]

I need a good LS-7 454ci motor or just the shortblock dated 5-70 to 11-70 to restore my Baldwin Motion '70 vette. It was built 7-7-70 and delivered from Motion on 1-21-71. Looking for a block that falls somewhere in that date range. I do not mind doing a overhaul. I would even just buy only the block if you have one.

Thanks
Larry Clain
Tulsa OK

http://home.swbell.net/vette-65

[D S.]

Re: Need LS-7 Motor or shortblock dated 5-70 to 11

Gee, I'm no expert by a long shot but I thought there was only one 1970 LS-7 engine made. Plenty of LS-5s and the LS-6s went into Chevelles and into a few 1971 Corvettes as the story goes. Enlighten me.

Thanks,
Scott

[Mark #28455]

LS7 crate engines sold through 1980's *NM*

[D S.]

Re: LS7 crate engines sold through 1980's

So, there never was more than one original LS-7 and he wants an "new" LS-7 that's been post stamped for 1970? What about the casting date on the block---how does that work?

SS

[Mark #28455]

Baldwin-Motion

There were never any "factory original" LS7 Corvettes sold to the public. The key is when the poster mentioned "Baldwin-Motion". That was a dealership (Baldwin Chevrolet) who did what the factory couldn't or wouldn't do - they hooked up with Joel Rosen of Motion Performance and he took stock Camaros, Corvettes etc. and completely modified them including adding better Chevrolet crate engines to them. They're currently very rare and collectible.

The LS7 was available as a crate engine at least in the late 70's to early 80's with cast iron block and cast iron open chamber heads with 12.5:1 compression, but the cast iron open chamber heads weren't available until the 1971 model year. I don't know enough about the original Motion cars to tell if they added the aluminum heads instead or if they used closed chamber heads in the 1970 model year, but the correct block would likely be a 512 casting with the "CE" stamping, unless Motion re-used the original block by having it machined for 4 bolt mains or if they added their own ID number.

Good luck,
Mark

[D S.]

Re: Baldwin-Motion

Thanks for the information. I knew that no true 1970 Corvette LS-7 engines were ever made for normal production so that threw me off when the poster stated he needed a 1970 date. And I am aware of Baldwin Motion but not in any great detail. I would imagine that the poster is prepared to pay big bucks for something so rare. I do applaud his effort and determination.

SS

[Michael H.]

Re: Baldwin-Motion

The LS7 was, as I remember, supposed to be an available option for the 1971 model year and a bank of LS7 engines were assembled in mid/late 1970 for this option. However, the option never came to life and the engines were eventually sold through Chevrolet parts dept's. Because these engines were cast and assembled in 1970, it would be possible to find one today with a 1970 casting and assembly date. I don't know the number of assy's that were made at that time but I suspect there were probably at least a hundred or more.

The engine became GM part number 3965774 and was called an engine assy but was actually only a short block with heads and oil pan/pump etc. (no intake or exhaust manifolds as I remember) The sale was very successful so GM decided to continue making/selling the assy for many years. I still have (somewhere) the "HotLine" flyer that would have been sent to all Chevrolet parts dept's in about 1971, listing this assy as an available part.

Several well known high performance Chevrolet dealers around the country, like Baldwin-Motion, Nickey etc., bought these engine assy's and installed them in new cars. The LS7 engine assy became so popular that Chevrolet decided to continue making it for many years. If I remember correctly, the original run of engines were painted moly orange, as shipped, but later runs of this same engine were not painted. I still have the complete list of parts that these engines were assembled from. Too bad GM had to pull the plug on this as it would have been the 70's version of the L88.

[Larry Clain]

Re: Baldwin-Motion

Thanks for straightening out those that didn't understand what I am looking for. Of course I don't expect to find a block with a vin to a 70 vette on a LS-7.

The original LS-7 that came from Motion in Jan of 1971 in my '70 Phase III vette was destroyed in Dallas Tx city traffic by overheating and just messed it all up. I passed on buying the blown engine when I bought the car from Diamond Mtr Co in Dallas in early 1974.

It only had 9k mi on it at the time. They put a new LS-6 in it to sell it to me. Your assumption that I am only looking for a CE block with a date code of late summer or fall of 70 is right on. Thanks for straightening him out.

I now have some alum heads to put it back the way it came. Joel Rosen owner of Motion said it was the most expensive GT vette that he ever sold out of the 10 cars he built. One was destroyed in a dealership fire. so there were only 9 cars built.

I am not sure if there is any difference between a bare LS-6 block and a LS-7 ??

I know the pistons are higher compression and the cam is higher lift. Better crank if I am not mistaken.

This car is still original and only has 15k actual miles today.

Thanks for everybodys help.

Please email me if you know of any parts that I can use.

Larry Clain
Tulsa OK.




My Corvettes and history of them