Original 1970 Chevy Nova LT1 Engine
— by Greg Roberts
http://chevynova.org/1970LT1_Engine.htmlThe purpose of this article is to document and preserve the markings and details and appearance of this original 1970 LT1 Chevy Nova engine.
Background:
These photo's were taken of a low mileage block belonging to and courtesy of Mike Thorpe in Calgary. Mike is involved in the restoration trade, and Graeme Browne asked him for the pictures so that they could be provided for research.
Original and unrestored 1970 LT1 Engine
This view of the front that shows the water pump.
Driver side front view of engine
Here is the view from the driver's side rear of the engine.
This is the rear view of the 1970 LT1 Engine Block. Note markings on the rear of the cylinder heads showing through the original engine paint.
This is a closer view of the rear of the engine.
Passenger side front view.
Block Pad Stamping
Here's a view of engine stamping on the engine in front of the passenger side cylinder head. "V0707CTB"
Here is another view of the engine pad.
Here is the date code.
Here is the engine part number casting.
CTB and another mark on the passenger side of the engine block..
This is a view from the driver's side. Take note of the CTB engine code that was written when the engine block was upside down just between the oil pan and the cylinder head. CTB was the code stamped on the engine pad. See below.
LT1 Carburetor
View of the intake and carb from the passenger side.
This is a view shows the stamping on the front of the carburetor.
Closer view of the stamping and the 6333 stamped into the carb.
More stamping and the GM part number 3972121 with the Holly List number 4555 and date code 021.
Even more stamping.
Additional stamping on the side of the air horn. Note the coloration of the overall carb.
Manufacturer stamping on the fuel line bracket.
Same view as the last picture. Just a slightly different angle.
Front Top
This view from the front showing the top of the intake.
View of the front drivers side corner of the intake manifold. Note the engine paint over spray on the aluminum.
Rear of intake
Here you see a closer view the intake manifold and distributor. Note the orange over spray on the intake. Especially under the engine lift bracket. There is a daub of yellow paint on the distributor.
LT1 Distributor
This picture shows the distributor without the cap. Note the shield that covers the points under the rotor.
Paint on the top of the distributor cap.
Yellow paint on the vacuum advance
Purple or black paint on the side of the distributor
Close up of the distributor paint.
LT1 AIR Pump and Pulleys
Picture of the passenger side front that shows the water pump and A.I.R. pump mounting, alternator mounting, and pulleys.
Alternator pulley part number stamp 3829387-AI
Water pump pulley.
Cylinder heads
This picture shows the different cylinder head bolt markings on the front of the driver's side cylinder head. The AC spark plug has the four green rings. The thicker first ring was used in the 1970's while a late 1960's plug would have four even rings. Note the shape of the spark plug boot.
Cylinder head marks
Paint stick marks on the side of the cylinder hear.
Paint Stick "4" on the side of the passenger side cylinder head. Note the hole in the exhaust manifold for the smog tube.
Head Casting numbers
Head part number 3927186 and casting date F230 (June 23, 1970)
Overview of the cylinder head and valve cover.
Silver paint found dripped on the top of the cylinder head.
Same view as the last picture. Note the cylinder head casting date. F 90 (June 9, 1970)
Silver paint on the valve springs.
Close up of the same silver paint on the valve springs.
More paint on the valve springs.
And more paint
Manufacturer stamping on the fuel line bracket.
Same view as the last picture. Just a slightly different angle.
Head part number 3927186 and casting date F 90 (June 9, 1970)
Picture 41
Front of the driver side cylinder head. Note that the paint of the "X" is under the orange engine paint. It acted as a primer and allowed the orange to show up better.
LT1 Valve Cover
Valve cover part number close up
Underside of the valve cover.
Do you have any information on any unrestored 1970 LT1 engines? If you do please contact me.
Pictures courtesy of Mike Thorpe.