The sticker on the radiator shroud looks like this BG 455cid does that BG mean that it is a stage 1? My car is a 71 "supposed" to be a stage 1, but I dont have docs or an engine/trans. That plate is still there though and my car also has posi and disc brakes. Im just looking for hard evidence that my car is a stage 1. I want to be able to prove it if someone asks me to. Thanks
Theres really no way to definitively tell it was a Stage 1. There are clues- are the fenders original to the car? If so, look at the Stage 1 emblems. Where are the emblem studs? Under the S and the 1? Those would be original emblems. Are there any extra holes that were filled when you look behind the fender? BG is the code for the Stage 1. Part # on the sticker is 1237198. The radiator supoprt top plate can be changed and they repro the stickers. Couple other things to check for to see if its an original big block car- Does it have a big block trans crossmember with the E brake hole? Does it have the big block gas pedal with the t-400 kick down switch? Has the gas tank ever been down? If its never been out of the car there's a chance the build sheet could still be there. That would be proof positive that your car is an original Stage 1
GOOD NEWS! I asked before I bought it whether or not it had the original trans in it. The owner said that he didnt think so since the motor was replaced with a nail head. Well, I raised the car up on the lift about 30 mins ago and guess what........I saw the big letters OW on the transmission along with 71W. Wow what a relief. The car is for sure a stage 1 right? Thanks in advance. Also, there was nothing on top of the gas tank. I look there too. Where could I find an interior build sheet or is there another sheet in the car somewhere? Thanks again.
Does it have disc front brakes? Stage 1 specific I believe... Is the steering shaft a BB piece? What about the fuel pump? Is it a Stage 1? Even though these are signs its a Stage 1 or BB,all of the pieces can and may have been changed easily enough..We can help if we get more info (sometimes) but a buildsheet will be the best way to tell. Look under the seats for a 3x5 sized tag and be very gentle with it so you can get the codes as well. We determined a 71 was a BB by that sheet as it was a TH 400 code on it.
You need to check if the trans has the correct vin # stamped into it. That would be the only way to prove the trans is the correct one for the car. Duane
Yes it has power disc brakes. where is the vin number stamped? Also, there were OW coded trans along with BB coded trans in 71 both meant stage 1. Right? Thanks
Nevermind, I found the transmission vin number. It does match the vin on the car. That pretty much proves it unless someone swapped the cowl tag, vin tag and transmissionp but that for sure didnt happen. That makes my day a lot better! Thanks guys for the help and Ill begin my search for a build sheet tonight or tomorrow.
Changover from OW back to BB was some time in January of 71 according to Marcos Stage-1 registry listing.
You know, you would be surprised how many people DONT know that one! I cant tell you how many big block Chevelle SS's I see at the cruise nights that have a small block steering columns. Maybe one car in 10 have the right column
Duane, does your 442 have the bolt on steering column? My friend has a matching #s w-30 and it does not have it. Cannot remember it the ones I owned had it but did not know about that at the time.
