Hello Adam,

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Maybe somone with more knowledge on these issues will give you a better answer.Adam Wartell2011-08-16 07:28:29

This is a tough one. The Corvette Black Book is usually pretty good about matching the as far as the engine stamp and the intake part number/carb. I have been a member of NCRS for quite a few years, and they are pretty good, but they also assume quite a bit, and unfortunately they say that all these cars should match their books, but they forget about the anomalies in any production enviornment. I have a friend that has an earl '69 427/390 tri-power car that he bought new, and has never changed. It has never passed an NCRS inspection because it has '68 parts on it.....go figure.

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I don't have any of my books here, and, I'm no expert, but I believe the lower HP cars would come with the Quadrajet(Rochester) carb.
Either way, would that really be a reason to NOT purchase the vehicle, if everything else checks out? GM didn't keep all that good records, and engineering changes were done on a daily basis, so it is entirely possible that one 250hp car could have the Quad carb, and the next 250hp car on the line would have the Holley. Not that it happened, but it definitely possible.
If it were me, I wouldn't worry too much about the authenticity of the carb/intake, if the rest of the car is honest, and the price is right. You can locate carbs/intakes to be "correct", if that's what you want to do after the purchase. I just wouldn't want to miss out on "the" car, just because it may have an intake/carb combo that might not be original to the car.

Mike is totally right, too....there are many Corvettes that do not pass NCRS/Bloomington Judging due to a discrepancy in the book(s), and what is on the car, but....they are looking for what is known to be a "normal" production item/combo. If there is proof that a car came a certain way from the factory, the the NCRS/Bloomington standards would be waived for that vehicle.
My '74 has an "incorrect" dated smog pump, but since there is proof that it sat on the assy line during a strike, the date is acceptable as "original factory equipped".


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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Thank you all for your imput...I am going to see two vettes the 68 327/250 and a 69 427/390.. The 427 was restored with new exhausts, clutch, sespension work seat covers and paint 3 years ago..It is also anumbers matching car, engine, trans & rear but does not have any of the smog control stuff. The 69, 327 appears to be as it came off the showroom. However, the cosmetics under the hood looks as if it were never touched as well.....

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Both of the cars you mention above came with a cast iron intake and a Q-Jet.  But like Adam said, if the car is basically correct and/or the price is right and you like it anyway, that should not stop you from buying it. 

Good luck
Larry

Go to the GM Heritage Center website.  There you can download, for free, all the specs on a 1968 Corvette.  Click on the link below and then click on "Corvette" and then on the 1968 model.

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Chuck

Hi Larry!!

Must be a typo, as there were no 250hp engines for '68 anyway. But....ALL of the engines up to, and including the 390hp 427 are listed as having used the Quadrajet carb. The 400hp up to the L88 used Holley carbs.
If this is to be your first Corvette purchase, be sure to take your time, and look the car(s) over closely. The right car will let you know it is right. It cannot be explained, but....it will. If you do not get a really warm, fuzzy feeling, keep looking. Don't confuse excitement with contentment...
Also, ask any questions you may have to the seller, or here. Don't be too eager to believe everything the seller tells you....they're trying to sell a car. If you can, get someone with knowledge of your year Corvettes to go with you, or inspect the car(s) for you. The right car will make you smile for the rest of your life...the wrong car will make you kick your dog....and we don't want that!
C3VR is here for any help/info/support we can give. Good Luck on the search!


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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Thank all you responders for your imput...I will know on Friday if either if these fine Corvettes will join the family.  If I purchase one, I will drive it 600 miles home..The 327/350 has 11 to 1 compression and the 427/390 has 10.25 to1.  I think I would need octane booster in any event but I am wondering if anyone can give me some advice in respect to the fuel I would need to run if I want to drive one of these Corvettes home? 

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Premium would be the only choice, imho. You might also stop and get a few bottles of some brand of octane boost....others here might have a brand they prefer. You could also set the timing back a little on either of them if it does start pinging while driving.
Good Luck!!! Hope one of them speaks to ya...the both sound like nice cars.


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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"