How many members are currently own a Corvette?

[ricks327]

[Red Baron]

Yeah, Right...

[Mick]

Originally Posted by MikeB

I wonder why, in the mid and late 50s and early 60s, Chevy never offered a 348 or 403 BB in the vettes?

It sounds like you are trying to lead me down an extremely geeky GM engine history road. This is a road that I will admit is at the very limits of my memory/knowledge. That said, the only GM "403" engine that I remember was an Oldsmobile engine that was considered a "small block" engine at the time, mostly 1950s? I even did a search, and apparently without more education on my part, I see nothing that says that a GM "403" was ever a big block.

If I am sticking to something I know, C3 Corvettes, I'll stand by what I posted above.

[m and t's77]

Originally Posted by Vette40th

The 396 BB in 1970 was actually a 406BB(or 400), they just never told anyone, for instance
.
Disregard

It was a 402 not a 406

Originally Posted by Mick

It sounds like you are trying to lead me down an extremely geeky GM engine history road. This is a road that I will admit is at the very limits of my memory/knowledge. That said, the only GM "403" engine that I remember was an Oldsmobile engine that was considered a "small block" engine at the time, mostly 1950s? I even did a search, and apparently without more education on my part, I see nothing that says that a GM "403" was ever a big block.

If I am sticking to something I know, C3 Corvettes, I'll stand by what I posted above.

Strictly an Olds engine of the their small block variant.

[Vette40th]

Originally Posted by m and t's77

It was a 402 not a 406

Thnx, I knew it was an overbored engine, just forgot..

[ratflinger]

No pics - sorry. Black on black '79. 396SBC.

[Chuck A]

Sold mine
Very recently, indeed

[Yadkin]

Originally Posted by 04 commemorative

I might be wrong but I always understood that Cubic inches had a lot to do with an engine being called a "Big Block"

No, it's the spacing of the cylinders.

[Yadkin]

Originally Posted by Don Rickles

Thanks for the compliment man! I really was very lucky to have found this one. I purchased it from the widow of the original buyer. It’s all original five star bowtie, NCRS, Bloomington Gold benchmark survivor. I’ve had this car campaigned through the systems. It is a real car, I even have the build sheet

Pictures of widow?

[Olustee bus]

Crystal Blue Since 1969

[Vette40th]

My dream Vette growing up was 67 Crystal Blue with a 427. An Officer at West Point, era late 70s, had a Silver 427 with side pipes that would occasionally be warming up while I delivered newspapers. Beautiful Corvette.

[StudleyJames]

My '74, wifes '84 and our '67

[Tikiman]

Originally Posted by Jeff78

Do you mean 409?

Originally Posted by Bruze

Yes, he does. "She's real fine my four-oh-nine."

As I recall, those engines were originally truck engines (W block?) although that doesn't mean much. You could order early-mid '60s Chevy cars with them, they also could be ordered with dual quads I think.

My high school buddy's older brother bought a new stripped '68 Nova, built a 409 with quads from the block up and dropped it in, beefing up everything else.

It was a total sleeper except for the exhaust note and big tires in the back.

If I recall correctly, the 409 was a "square" motor. As in the stroke equaled the bore.

[RMVette]

Yes, still have the '70 and for sale....

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by Mick

It sounds like you are trying to lead me down an extremely geeky GM engine history road. This is a road that I will admit is at the very limits of my memory/knowledge. That said, the only GM "403" engine that I remember was an Oldsmobile engine that was considered a "small block" engine at the time, mostly 1950s? I even did a search, and apparently without more education on my part, I see nothing that says that a GM "403" was ever a big block.

If I am sticking to something I know, C3 Corvettes, I'll stand by what I posted above.

My mistake. 409, not 406. I recall a co-worker back in the 70s, had a 63
Impala with a 409 engine. Looked the same as the late 50s 348 block.
"W" heads (valve covers) on both.

[6spdC6]

Originally Posted by MikeB

My mistake. 409, not 406. I recall a co-worker back in the 70s, had a 63
Impala with a 409 engine. Looked the same as the late 50s 348 block.
"W" heads (valve covers) on both.

I remember back then a high HP 409 was considered a serious contender for a good fast street car. Then the GTO came out and was followed by the other company's putting out muscle cars. The 409 lost a lot of its luster (and street races then)

[Blademaker]

On my 3rd..... Black C3 1978, Electron blue C5 2002, "Bust My Ass yellow" C6 2012

[Jughead]

2011 GS 4LT - loaded with every option, including Heritage Package.

[SurfnSun]

Originally Posted by Jughead

2011 GS LT4 - loaded with every option, including Heritage Package.

Its really hard to beat a Crystal Red widebody C6 IMO.

[AUTOHOLIC]

Originally Posted by MikeB

I wonder why, in the mid and late 50s and early 60s, Chevy never offered a 348 or 403 BB in the vettes?

I my be mistaken but I think the 409s were wider than even the later 396/427s and would not fit in the stock engine compartment of a C1 or midyear.