Tank Sticker Question?

[Charles S.]

I own a 67 Corvette 427/390 HP car. When I bought the car the original motor was missing, but the car has a Tri power setup. I also have what I believe to be the original tank sticker. It indicates that the car is a 390 HP Turbo Jet and does not indicate the conversion to a 400 HP, which I believe was an option listed on original tank stickers? Here is where the problem lies. I have done an owners histroy search and so far have gone back 21 years. According to all of the previous owners the car is a 400 HP car and always has been. The person who owned it 21 years ago says he verified the engine stamp pad numbers and date code back then and the car retained it's original motor, which was a 400 HP car. Is it possible that the conversion to 400 HP could have been left off of the tank sticker? Has anyone ever found a mistake in their original tank sticker. I have recently purchased the correct casting numbered block (4351) with the correct casting date (C317), my car was built J1, May 1, 1967. I intend on installing this block when completed and return the car to it's factory state. However, do I have it stamped as a 390 HP or 400 HP and what about the original tank sticker? Please help! I want to represent the car accurately. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Chuck

[Tom H.]

Re: Tank Sticker Question?

If the tank sheet you have seems to "JIVE" with your car as far as color, options, trim I'd tend to think the sheet is correct.

Since you have traced the history, have you found out what happened to the original engine ??

Did you pull the tank sheet yourself, or did you get it from a past owner ?

Are you confident the owner from 21 years ago was capable of truly verifying the codes and dates of the said original engine ? Maybe he confirmed the matching numbers and just assumed it was all original.

These cars were pretty desirable even 21 years ago. It seems strange to lose a 400 HP 427 without a trace in recent history. Hopefully we can get this solved for you.

How complete is your car now? Perhaps there are other clues you can discover from what you have that may indicate the original configuration.

[Charles S.]

Re: Tank Sticker Question?

If the tank sheet you have seems to "JIVE" with your car as far as color, options, trim I'd tend to think the sheet is correct.

Since you have traced the history, have you found out what happened to the original engine ??

Did you pull the tank sheet yourself, or did you get it from a past owner ?

Are you confident the owner from 21 years ago was capable of truly verifying the codes and dates of the said original engine ? Maybe he confirmed the matching numbers and just assumed it was all original.

These cars were pretty desirable even 21 years ago. It seems strange to lose a 400 HP 427 without a trace in recent history. Hopefully we can get this solved for you.

How complete is your car now? Perhaps there are other clues you can discover from what you have that may indicate the original configuration.

Tom, Thanks for responding. The car is pretty much complete other than the original motor and trans. The rear housing appears to be correct and original and matches the tank sticker. All the options on the car match the tank sticker and nothing has been changed. I did not pull the tank sticker myself, but it was done fairly recently because you can still still the clean area on top of the tank, scratches where it was removed and a small piece of the tank sticker is still attached to the tank. If you shine a light down into the gas filler door it is clearly seen. I'm not sure about the qualifications of the previous owner, but he is an NCRS member and owns several other corvettes currently. It's just strange that I cannot find anyone who owned this car with a single intake and carburetor. All owners I have been in contact with owned the car with the tri power setup. I'm not sure what has happened to the original motor at this point or the protecto-plate warranty booklet?

[Larry M.]

Re: Tank Sticker Question?

Charles:

Could the tri-power conversion info still be on that portion of the tank sheet that remains on the gas tank?? If I recall correctly, that info was near the bottom of the tank sticker.

I would also check the casting dates/date codes on the intake manifold and the three carbs to see what they show relative to the build date of your car. If close, this may indicate the car was originally a 400 HP. If they are later replacements, it would likely indicate that an early owner converted the engine/car himself. This was often the case.

Larry

[Paul H.]

Re: Tank Sticker Question?

I owned this car briefly back in 1998 and was able to discuss this with Chuck as he traced back the ownership history. When I bought the car here in Mass it was sold to me as a 427/400 tri power. I had known the previous three owners and probably didn't give the car the level of scrutiny I would now. At the time of purchase I did confirm the VIN derivative on the stamp pad as matching the VIN. I don't recall looking at the suffix to confirm whether it was a 390 or a 400 horse. It was a 351 block. Never looked for the tank sticker at that time. It was a low mileage car, 60,000, and looked it. All the color codes matched as well.

My bet is that if the tank sticker says 390 horse then that is what it is. In any event, it's a nice big block 67 coupe.

Glad to have the opportunity to discuss this with you Chuck. Best of luck with it.

[Philip A.]

Re: Tank Sticker Question?

Is it possible that original purchaser wanted 400 hp car and the dealer installed the tri-power set-up? This scenerio would explain everything.

[Charles S.]

Re: Tank Sticker Question?

I owned this car briefly back in 1998 and was able to discuss this with Chuck as he traced back the ownership history. When I bought the car here in Mass it was sold to me as a 427/400 tri power. I had known the previous three owners and probably didn't give the car the level of scrutiny I would now. At the time of purchase I did confirm the VIN derivative on the stamp pad as matching the VIN. I don't recall looking at the suffix to confirm whether it was a 390 or a 400 horse. It was a 351 block. Never looked for the tank sticker at that time. It was a low mileage car, 60,000, and looked it. All the color codes matched as well.

My bet is that if the tank sticker says 390 horse then that is what it is. In any event, it's a nice big block 67 coupe.

Glad to have the opportunity to discuss this with you Chuck. Best of luck with it.

Paul, Thanks for responding. Your the best. I really appreciate your information and time invested in my quest for the truth. I'm buying you lunch at Carlisle next year!

[Charles S.]

Re: Tank Sticker Question?

Is it possible that original purchaser wanted 400 hp car and the dealer installed the tri-power set-up? This scenerio would explain everything.

Phillip, It is very possible that occurred. I hope to find the original owner some day and that he/she is in good health. I would love to know the truth one way or the other. Thanks for responding. Chuck Smith

[Charles S.]

Re: Tank Sticker Question?

Charles:

Could the tri-power conversion info still be on that portion of the tank sheet that remains on the gas tank?? If I recall correctly, that info was near the bottom of the tank sticker.

I would also check the casting dates/date codes on the intake manifold and the three carbs to see what they show relative to the build date of your car. If close, this may indicate the car was originally a 400 HP. If they are later replacements, it would likely indicate that an early owner converted the engine/car himself. This was often the case.

Larry

Larry, I checked the carbs and intake. All the numbers and date code match up to the build date of the car. April dated carbs and March dated intake. Thanks. Chuck

[Charles S.]

Re: Tank Sticker Question?

I owned this car briefly back in 1998 and was able to discuss this with Chuck as he traced back the ownership history. When I bought the car here in Mass it was sold to me as a 427/400 tri power. I had known the previous three owners and probably didn't give the car the level of scrutiny I would now. At the time of purchase I did confirm the VIN derivative on the stamp pad as matching the VIN. I don't recall looking at the suffix to confirm whether it was a 390 or a 400 horse. It was a 351 block. Never looked for the tank sticker at that time. It was a low mileage car, 60,000, and looked it. All the color codes matched as well.

My bet is that if the tank sticker says 390 horse then that is what it is. In any event, it's a nice big block 67 coupe.

Glad to have the opportunity to discuss this with you Chuck. Best of luck with it.

Paul, I noticed you mentioned that the block was a 351 block when you checked the numbers. The block in the car now is a 942 block. Obviously not the original block, but the tri power setup dates out perfectly. Strange!

[Paul H.]

Re: Tank Sticker Question?

Paul, Thanks for responding. Your the best. I really appreciate your information and time invested in my quest for the truth. I'm buying you lunch at Carlisle next year!

Sounds good to me. I have never refused a free lunch

[Tim G.]

Re: Tank Sticker Question?

The most important thing is that you have good paperwork, that adds more value to the car than if it is a 390 vs 400. I'm looking at the bright side of things. My 400 horse is very early and the bottom line of the tank sticker says "triple 2 bbl carb".

[Charles S.]

Re: Tank Sticker Question?

The most important thing is that you have good paperwork, that adds more value to the car than if it is a 390 vs 400. I'm looking at the bright side of things. My 400 horse is very early and the bottom line of the tank sticker says "triple 2 bbl carb".

Tim,

I agree it's more valuable to have original paperwork. Apparently, the later tank stickers would have the code "AAL68 Conv to 400 HP". Anyway, thanks to all who responded.

[Steven B.]

Re: Tank Sticker Question?

Chuck, check the long vapor return line. IIRC the lines are different on 3X2 and single 4BBL cars. 'better check with an expert, though.

Steve

[Larry M.]

Re: Tank Sticker Question?

Chuck, check the long vapor return line. IIRC the lines are different on 3X2 and single 4BBL cars. 'better check with an expert, though.

Steve

Not for 1967..........perhaps for the C3 cars.

Larry