Picked up a 72 short block. I didn't do any measuring, I simply set it aside as it's cheaper right now to run the replacement engine than to buy pistons, bore, hot tank, the original block.
Boy, I bet this thing sounded like a turd from the first time it was started and driven off the assembly line. Huge exhaust leak, can't believe it was never addressed while under warranty, and why anyone would put up with that kind of noise. Huge hole in exhaust manifold on driver side, hidden by the heat shield for the hot air stove. The ONLY thing I can find under the hood that had been messed with was driver side valve cover had been off, and rocker shaft and arms had been replaced.......My guess, Is someone was trying to address a noisey "rocker" or "lifter" tick, that was actually an exhaust leak/tick
NO>>>>>I didn't drill and tap it. it WAS tapped. this was something done before the manifold went on the engine, this was covered by the heat shield, you wouldn't have seen it once it was bolted on the engine, but you sure as heck would have heard it!!!! Since the hole was already tapped, I put a short 5/16 set screw in it, and brazed it in so it wouldn't fall out.
So maybe it did have a short bolt installed at one point and it fell out later? I bet it did sound really ratty.
Any chance someone installed a probe to measure exhaust gasses? Does look like an intentionally drilled hole. My guess and a dollar will only buy small cup of coffee
It was on the factory installed Stage 1 in the car. A bolt couldn't have fallen out. Heat shield is too close to the hole. I think it had a hole from day one. Maybe everyone on the assembly line passed the buck, "Not my problem", let the next person figure it out. Maybe anyone that noticed figured the dealer would fix it under warranty? I would think a car that was optioned like this was a customer order. Maybe the original owner just dealt with it??
No more black eye. Little things like a missing headlight doesn't jibe with my OCD. I'm happy to report something positive.... The headlight bezel made it through the frontal impact with only a small nick in the edge. >>Edit<< The Chevy Rally wheels were a matched set, and coded as 1968 Corvette 15x7(following year they went to 15x8) They went to a friend, will be blasted,painted, and installed on an 11 second Pure Stock Drag Race 69 Yenko Camaro.
It's funny, I actually went out and sourced a used T-3 for my 71, cause the Wagner low beam that was in there was just a leeeeeetle more opaque than the other three bulbs, and I could see it in every picture. So I feel your OCD and raise ya.. Now if we could only get Tim to yank that smoked low beam outta his 69 Chevelle, it gives me a facial tic every time I look at it....
Let there be light!!!!!! Hooked power up to the car to check things out. Had to replace a couple tail light bulbs, some side marker bulbs, and trunk light bulb. My brother bought me a plate off eBay from the original selling dealership tomorrow that I'll put on the front bumper.