BobRob Posted July 6, 2020 Share Posted July 6, 2020 I cut my automotive teeth with Monte's back in the 80's and decided it was time for another. Previously, I owned a 70', 73, 74 and a 2001. My father had a couple of '76's he bought new (one was stolen a month after he bought it). So today, this black 71 followed me home. It's a pretty good driver and a decent 20 footer and I plan to undo some odd "modifications", freshen up the interior and address some iffy body work on the drivers quarter panel. Under the hood is an 8 year old 350 with a mild cam and a 650 Holley, headers and MSD ignition. She's got some spirit but I'm pretty sure there's more power lurking in there after a tune. The front end seems loose as it does tend to wander a bit and there's some slop in the wheel so that will be first on the list.. I'm sure I'll find more but it's a great project that can be driven for now. Thanks for having us on the forum! Bob 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Peters Posted July 7, 2020 Share Posted July 7, 2020 Very pretty 71 you found there. You must have heard we LOVE pictures here based upon your first post including pictures of your Monte. We hope you like what you see here and decide to become a full fledged dues paying member of the club. rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC1of80 Posted July 7, 2020 Share Posted July 7, 2020 Welcome! Looks like a great starting point! Keep the pics coming! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Posted July 7, 2020 Share Posted July 7, 2020 Welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
714024SPEED Posted July 7, 2020 Share Posted July 7, 2020 Welcome !! Best of luck with your Monte Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cny first gen 71 Posted July 7, 2020 Share Posted July 7, 2020 looks and sounds like a very good starting point, pretty car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1970mcss Posted July 7, 2020 Share Posted July 7, 2020 Looks like a great car, welcome to the club. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willie Posted July 7, 2020 Share Posted July 7, 2020 Welcome Bob!!!! She looks great already!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobRob Posted July 7, 2020 Author Share Posted July 7, 2020 Thanks for the welcome! It's been a long time since I dove into a project like this.. Last time I did there wasn't an internet or part stores online, just Motors and Chilton manuals and Gus behind the parts counter, but it all worked out. After work today, I'll be giving the car a thorough inspection and will compile a list of projects to prioritize.... Maybe even order some parts. The car is outside for now but we are having a 28x28 garage built soon and she'll sit in there once it's done, that's when the real work will start. Winter will be full of activity! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobRob Posted July 7, 2020 Author Share Posted July 7, 2020 11 hours ago, Rob Peters said: Very pretty 71 you found there. You must have heard we LOVE pictures here based upon your first post including pictures of your Monte. We hope you like what you see here and decide to become a full fledged dues paying member of the club. rob Signed up... Looking forward to the extra content! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dtret Posted July 7, 2020 Share Posted July 7, 2020 Welcome and sweet looking ride Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbarnette Posted July 8, 2020 Share Posted July 8, 2020 Welcome! What a great looking car to start with. Brings back memories for me. My first car was a black 71 Monte Carlo. I still have her, but painted her blue about 30 years ago. Looking forward to seeing your progress! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1Bad454 Posted July 9, 2020 Share Posted July 9, 2020 Welcome aboard! Nice car! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobRob Posted July 9, 2020 Author Share Posted July 9, 2020 This one is paint code 67 classic copper. Depending on how deep I get into this, I may go back to it. For now, I'll be glad to get the few rattles and squeaks out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Posted July 9, 2020 Share Posted July 9, 2020 3 hours ago, BobRob said: This one is paint code 67 classic copper. Depending on how deep I get into this, I may go back to it. For now, I'll be glad to get the few rattles and squeaks out. My favourite 1971 colour is classic copper 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1970mcss Posted July 9, 2020 Share Posted July 9, 2020 Love that color 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC1of80 Posted July 9, 2020 Share Posted July 9, 2020 That's the color of my 71 402 4speed. I hope it comes out as beautiful as yours! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobRob Posted July 10, 2020 Author Share Posted July 10, 2020 Drool...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobRob Posted July 10, 2020 Author Share Posted July 10, 2020 21 hours ago, Canuck said: My favourite 1971 colour is classic copper That is gorgeous 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobRob Posted July 10, 2020 Author Share Posted July 10, 2020 I finally got arount to getting the casting # off the block and it's a 3970010 which translates: 3970010 Small Block V8 1969 302, 4 bolt, Camaro Z28 Hmm...The guy I bought the car from said it was a vanilla 350 with a cam..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jft69z Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 I think that casting number is pretty common for a lot of sbc motors. More telling will be the stamping on the deck surface near the alternator, look there instead. Here are some motors with that casting number.. As you can see, there are a lot of engines with that number: 1968 3970010 327 - - 2 A 1969-79 3970010 350 185 370 2 or 4 car, truck, Vette 3970010 350 69 Corvette Late 69, 4 Bolt Main 3970010 302 69 Camaro Z/28, Late 69, 4 Bolt Main 3970010 350 69-79 Truck 2 & 4 Bolt Main 3970010 350 69-79 Pass, Chevelle, Camaro, Nova, Monte Carlo 2 & 4 Bolt Main 3970010 350 70 Corvette 300, 350, 370 HP Bolt Main 3970010 350 71 Corvette 270, 330 HP, 4 Bolt Main 3970010 350 72 Corvette 200, 225 HP, 4 Bolt Main Another list: 3970010 302 1969 Camaro Z/28 - 4 bolt main bearings 3970010 327 1969 2 bolt main bearings - trucks 3970010 350 1969 - 80 2 or 4 bolt main bearings - car or truck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobRob Posted July 10, 2020 Author Share Posted July 10, 2020 2 hours ago, jft69z said: I think that casting number is pretty common for a lot of sbc motors. More telling will be the stamping on the deck surface near the alternator, look there instead. Here are some motors with that casting number.. As you can see, there are a lot of engines with that number: 1968 3970010 327 - - 2 A 1969-79 3970010 350 185 370 2 or 4 car, truck, Vette 3970010 350 69 Corvette Late 69, 4 Bolt Main 3970010 302 69 Camaro Z/28, Late 69, 4 Bolt Main 3970010 350 69-79 Truck 2 & 4 Bolt Main 3970010 350 69-79 Pass, Chevelle, Camaro, Nova, Monte Carlo 2 & 4 Bolt Main 3970010 350 70 Corvette 300, 350, 370 HP Bolt Main 3970010 350 71 Corvette 270, 330 HP, 4 Bolt Main 3970010 350 72 Corvette 200, 225 HP, 4 Bolt Main Another list: 3970010 302 1969 Camaro Z/28 - 4 bolt main bearings 3970010 327 1969 2 bolt main bearings - trucks 3970010 350 1969 - 80 2 or 4 bolt main bearings - car or truck HAHA... Cars...they'll break your heart every time. ... Thanks for the heads up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jft69z Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 Yep, they're heartbreakers sometimes, lol. Like the old saying goes, "If it has t*ts or tires, it'll give you nothing but trouble". Look at that pad on the deck surface on the right side, near the alternator. There may be a bunch of letters/numbers there. The letters are the key, if they're there, list them and people here will figure out what it came out of initially. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobRob Posted July 11, 2020 Author Share Posted July 11, 2020 13 hours ago, jft69z said: Yep, they're heartbreakers sometimes, lol. Like the old saying goes, "If it has t*ts or tires, it'll give you nothing but trouble". Look at that pad on the deck surface on the right side, near the alternator. There may be a bunch of letters/numbers there. The letters are the key, if they're there, list them and people here will figure out what it came out of initially. Thanks, I'll do that this weekend. Today is a wash due to Fay and we have a road trip to Hartford to pick up a second rescue dog. We did take the Monte out for a cruise yesterday to a local ice cream stand and got some nice compliments, though I have yet to do any work on it myself. Speaking of which, winter projects include: Vintage Air installation (Ordered yesterday) Someone ripped out the original AC Replace the clock and idiot lights with a tach and guages Reupholster seats Carpet Rear deck cover Dash pad Headliner Repair a small rust hole in the trunk Some sort of sound system. I love the retro look of the OEM AM/FM so I'll shop around for something similar with more capability I may go through the front end and suspension to tame the body roll and sloppy feel. The previous owner says he did shocks and springs all the way around and replaced the front sway bar bushings but it certainly doesn't drive like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
420ponies Posted July 11, 2020 Share Posted July 11, 2020 Welcome to the Club!! Nice to another First Gen to the club! Enjoy the "smiles per mile" and also the thumbs up response you get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.