I have an opportunity to pickup a '70 Corvette 454 LS6
RAT Factory Stock engine. Not being up on such things,
my questions: Is this something that is desirable to
consider as a replacement for a tired 455? And if not,
is it in demand for other uses?
Gary,
Chevrolet never put the LS6 454 in production 1970 Corvettes, LS5 only.
Chevrolet did plan on putting an LS7 (465hp) 454 in the '70 Vette but
those plans never materialized. The LS6 was used in Chevelles only in
1970. Before purchasing I recommend you verify the numbers, especially
since this is really what will establish the value.
Block 3963512
Heads 3964291
Intake 39633569
Exhaust 3916178
If all these are correct, you need to check the crank & rods:
Crank 3521
Rods 3963552 (look for white marks)
Still correct? Congratulations! You have an opportunity to buy the
most powerful production engine ever built for an American car. Hot Rod
magazine tested this engine on a dyno in 1970 and it produced 510 hp.
Apparently the factory claims of 450 hp were conservative for insurance
reasons.
If you buy it, you will have the most unsuitable engine ever built for
a motorhome IMHO. (Next to a 3 cyl Geo Metro engine, that is.)
However, you could make it work if you install 5.88:1 gears and ran it
on AvGas with an octane rating of about 102. (11.0:1 CR)
If it's a real deal, trade it for a 502 Chevy BB or sell it and buy a
Mondello built 455 Olds & maybe keep the change too.
HTH,
Steve F.
RAT Factory Stock engine. Not being up on such things,
my questions: Is this something that is desirable to
consider as a replacement for a tired 455? And if not,
is it in demand for other uses?
Gary,
Chevrolet never put the LS6 454 in production 1970 Corvettes, LS5 only.
Chevrolet did plan on putting an LS7 (465hp) 454 in the '70 Vette but
those plans never materialized. The LS6 was used in Chevelles only in
1970. Before purchasing I recommend you verify the numbers, especially
since this is really what will establish the value.
Block 3963512
Heads 3964291
Intake 39633569
Exhaust 3916178
If all these are correct, you need to check the crank & rods:
Crank 3521
Rods 3963552 (look for white marks)
Still correct? Congratulations! You have an opportunity to buy the
most powerful production engine ever built for an American car. Hot Rod
magazine tested this engine on a dyno in 1970 and it produced 510 hp.
Apparently the factory claims of 450 hp were conservative for insurance
reasons.
If you buy it, you will have the most unsuitable engine ever built for
a motorhome IMHO. (Next to a 3 cyl Geo Metro engine, that is.)
However, you could make it work if you install 5.88:1 gears and ran it
on AvGas with an octane rating of about 102. (11.0:1 CR)
If it's a real deal, trade it for a 502 Chevy BB or sell it and buy a
Mondello built 455 Olds & maybe keep the change too.
HTH,
Steve F.
