Posting this for a friend who has no computer.....

[Eddie Newmiller]

Hi, my name is Eddie and I myself, have two Corvette's 1961 F.I. car-modified outside the NCRS guidelines. And a 1973 Stingray also modified.

My friend Kevin Ekstrand, who is a member of NCRS, needs to find engine parts for his 1971 LT-1 convertible. Engine prefix is: CG2 Block casting number:3970010 Build date: 8-27-70.

Any help with these part numbers would be greatly appreciated!

[Joe L.]

Re: Posting this for a friend who has no computer.

Eddie and Kevin-----

The engine prefix for a 1971 LT-1 is "CGZ", not "CG2". However, that's really a moot point. If you find an engine with the "CGZ" prefix code and an acceptable date code(which will be extremely difficult), it will also have the VIN number of the car which "donated" it on the pad, too. Obviously, that VIN number will not match Kevin's car.

Finding a 3970010 block with appropriate casting date should not be very difficult, though. These blocks were used in a wide variety of Chevrolet vehicles during 1971(and many other years as well). Try Tracy Performance at www.tracyperf.com. They stock a large number of blocks. Most, but not all, 3970010 blocks are 4 bolt main configuration. There was no difference between a 4 bolt block of Corvette origin, including an LT-1, and a 4 bolt 3970010 block originally installed in any other Chevrolet car. That makes Kevin's quest much easier.

[Eddie Newmiller]

Re: Posting this for a friend who has no computer.

Thank you so much for the correction and the direction Joe! Will follow up on the lead. I thought Kev was crazy to try to bring back his car to a numbers match configuration but I'm willing to help if it is at all possible to do.

Must be if you guy's can do it I guess he can too, I thought about my own car but gave it up after finding the anticipaated ten year project turning into 17!

I would need a gold mine to pay for the engine, F.I., ETC., Etc., etc...

It's good that there are people that are independantly wealthy enough that they can chase down their needed items. I guess I'll never be able to show my 61 at any NCRS type of show. I'll go with Kevin when we find his needle in the haystack engine.

Thanks again.

Eddie....

[Joe L.]

Re: Posting this for a friend who has no computer.

Eddie----

You can have an awful lot of fun with your '61 without ever entering it in judging competition at an NCRS/NCCB event. Trust me.

[Jack H.]

Re: Posting this for a friend who has no computer.

I second that, Joe -- STRONGLY! I hear all the time, "My car's not NCRS quality". Rubbish! There's no such thing as a bad Corvette AND we have more ways to participate and gain recognition than any other organization in all of Corvettedom!

It's a 2-D smorgasboard with 'CAR' on one axis and 'OWNER' on the other. Recognition categories like Mark Of Excellence and BowTie fall, almost on the car-exclusive end of the spectrum. Flight falls in the middle because you can gain points for driving your car to a meet (part car, part owner participation).

Awards like Founder's (just as impressive as a Duntov/Mac Plaque) are maybe 30% car/70% owner. And the new Sportsman's award is almost exclusively owner because you can achieve it with more than one Corvette.

So, I chaff when I hear the disclaimer about somebody's Corvette not being up to NCRS standards! Come on out and play -- it's your club and the 'them' is 'us'....

[Bryan L.]

Re: Posting this for a friend who has no computer.

It's refreshing that things are getting away from the TF,BG, trailer queen syndrome and more into enjoying your car the way you want to. I restored a 69 Z/28 a while back and it was a very nice car, correct in every aspect. I didn't get to enjoy it much because it was too nice to drive a lot. I sold it because I wanted a 67 big block roadster. I started out doing the anal retentive, got to be correct route that I went with my Camaro. Found the correct #351 block, heads, etc. and then decided to just build the car and enjoy it. I am still going to build a very nice car, but to my standards. I recently purchased a real, complete 68 L-88 for motivation in place of the L-71 I had intended. I'm going to have some fun with this car. Having a beautifully restored Corvette and not being able to drive it is like being married to a beautiful supermodel and being celebate.

Later,

Bryan 67 BB roadster

[Eddie Newmiller]

Re: Posting this for a friend who has no computer.

I always had the wrong impression of NCRS then, I guess I assumed that if you built your car your way you would be marked as a person that destroyed the car. Rick Stark told me that circa 1983.

I don't buy anything from his business anymore.

I built my engine using a 1969 350 four bolt truck block and a 1969 Z28 327 crank, heads from a 1965 El Camino. Intake is a 1969 Z28. This mix and match I thought would be repulsive to most purists. Even the T-10 is from Richmond gear.

I bought the car after it was stripped down as it sat on the street, no interior, no top, no trim. That was in 1982. Since then I have spent mountains of money just to make it look right much less be numbers match.

Thank you for the encouragement!

Eddie....

[Mark Lovejoy]

Re: Posting this for a friend who has no computer.

In my book anyone who saves a Corvette from the junkyard deserves an award. I'll second the "Any Corvette is a Great Corvette"!! Get It Out There, enjoy it!

[Jack H.]

Re: Posting this for a friend who has no computer.

I feel refreshed you guys had something to say on this thread, and I wasn't torn by a pack of wolves. I need to add a little more though.

I admit to being one of those 'stuffed shirt' NCRS types too. One of the cars I got from my uncle's estate is a Mark Of Excellence 396 with NCCB Gold Certification and Chevy/Vettefest Gold Spinner/Triple Crown. It 'rules' it's trailer seeing a whooping 300 miles of action over the last seven years.

I did the job to create a living memorial to my uncle, not make $$$. I wouldn't trade the memories and education I got from three separate Corvette factory concours circuits for all my money back with market expansion rate interest! Earning these awards is like the saga of Beowulf -- a once in a lifetime experience that's not for the timid or the egocentric.

But, on my uncle's 71 SB A/C convertible, I took 'er right up to the 2nd/Top Flight border and stopped. Been driving it since and enjoying the NCRS Flight experience from the milage driven angle -- several Regional Top Flight ribbons hanging around.

Now, working on the Founder's Award. Maybe go do the Sportsman thing. Point is, there is such a wide variety of alternatives available to NCRS members and few seem to be aware of anything beyond Top Flight. Last, give credit where it's due, getting a car to the top of the heap merits recognition. Don't get down on those guys (gals too) that build a TQ!

You know they'll NEVER get their money back. They do it for the love of the sport and the rest of us get to enjoy the effort/results, virtually for free. So, salute the uniform when you see it. Remember, its being worn by another fellow NCRS member who's little different from anyone else.

[Eddie Newmiller]

Re: Posting this for a friend who has no computer.

WOW, this seems to be a powerful subject. I just got off the phone with my friend Kevin and we are both amazed at the response this thread has aquired as well as the number of times each offering has been read. Thank you all for your input, Kevin is excited about the email I received from Tracyvette.com. They have a block close to what he needs, he has to verify the VIN number to the block date code. I am not sure HE is sure of the correct code needed but with the very usable matrix list at Tracyvette and his books I'm sure he'll find what is correct.

It's funny but I've gotten emails about my 61, and your input has had a motivating force, thanks again!

I'm currently involved in a performance build up of my 1990 454SS truck, but after that back to my 61!

Eddie....

[Tony H.]

Re: Posting this for a friend who has no computer.

The inspiration from this thread is indeed amazing. With the arrival of my Driveline, I have measured up mileage to each event on the back cover from my house and I plan on getting out to as many meets in my reach that I can this year. I've been itching to get out and have my car judged for years now but there is always something to stop me (usually work). This year is going to be different. I am also giving an NCRS membership to by brother-in-law for his birthday so we can both enjoy the meets throughout the summer and encourage each other to go out and enjoy our cars more often.

Thanks again for the powerful encouragement!!!

[G B.]

Real '61 FI stored since '62

Eddie -

I tried to buy a '61 FI engine in Pennsylvania that the original owner has stored since he pulled it in '62. He was going into the army at that time, and decided to sell his '61 Corvette with a replacement engine/transmission. The original Corvette engine is now sitting in his huge storage building with 30 to 40 old Fords. He's been very much into '32-4 Fords for the last thirty years.

Anyway, the 283 has never been apart, and it still has some ignition shielding, the generator, and the FI unit attached. He has the air cleaner too, but it has some large "breathing" holes cut into it. The original T-10 from the Corvette is in a '32 Ford hot rod sitting nearby. I visited him in '94 and offered him $6,000 for everything he still had from the Corvette. However, he is stuck on getting $6,500. He does not need the money or space, so I doubt he will ever take less. He started out asking $8,000!

If this engine will help you get your car on the road, you are welcome to it. Give me a call and I will tell you everything I know about the owner.

Good luck,

Jerry Bramlett (334) 478-4003

[Eddie Newmiller]

Re: Real '61 FI stored since '62

Choke...cough...wheeze...I think I'll have to pass this week...whimper... No way in the World I could justify laying out that kind of cash for that engine. I have two nicely built engines right now for the car, as well as two T-10's. My car is way to modified for NCRS...Really.

57 Pontiac rear, seperate posi units at 4.11:1, 4.88:1, 3.23:1 Custom 5 leafs. Lakewood traction bars. Custom plated adjustable panhard rods. Four wheel disc brakes. Rear wheel flares. Carrol Shelby Cal 500 true MAG slots 15x10 rear, 15x8 front.

Supertrap Exaust, 2 5/8 mandrel bent tubing. Ceramic coated Supercomp Headers.

3 Thermistically controlled electric fans.

800watt, 14 speaker, audio system.

Two red Optima batteries, one wire alternator.

Stock repro interior, rebuilt gauges, all chrome replated, hartop only, all replaced stainless, some of it is poor quality...still looking.

Since this car was already with flares and missing most of everything and having a Southern Cal racing history, I guess now Stark was right.

It's mine and I get a lot of disbelief being the owner, especially since I was born in 1961, most purists feel a car of this potential caliber is in the wrong hands. But I've had it since 1982 and haven't demolished it.

I spent years conditioning myself for this car, worked in restoration body shops doing many, many 55,56,57 Shoeboxes. Almost every Vette form the early-mid sixties, and street rods. Even went so far as to help start a business of restoration on a 700 acre farm, built a 60x110 buliding with floor hoist, pull pots in the floor, machine tools, my own 69 Ford F-600 wrecker, 450+ cars.

Point is, I'm almost fourty, maybe...maybe put 100 hours DRIVING the car, paid for everything cash, moved the car in boxes at least 8 times. People almost daily ask, "Do anything on the Vette?" As if the years of learning, spending, packing was unimportant. Now I work as a machinist, help Kevin, he's got the most impressive set of Snap-on tools I've ever had the pleasure to borrow!

My snails pace is because I tend to break cars due to hard driving, raced gocarts, dirtbikes, dirt track intermission mud racers.

I figure that by Fourty I'll take it easy on the 61, I beat the Hell out of my 73 and have since parked it. Rear suspension is needing several dollar signs.

Thank's for the engine lead but would rather get a lead on the 1971 CGZ four bolt LT-1 350 Kevin needs.

Eddie....ramble...blather...whatever.