Donor Car

Parts from a ’73 Chevelle

Many parts used to “upgrade” my Chevelle came from a ’73 Chevelle Estate Wagon.

My dad found this car (’73 Estate Wagon) at a used car lot near the old State Fairgrounds – now Richmond Raceway. It had a big-block engine – that’s what mattered.

I was able to use many parts off of this car:

• The Engine = 454 cu.in. V-8 Big Block Chevy
  • 1973 LS4 with 4 Barrel CarbBore = 4.25″ x Stroke = 4.00″ x 8 cyl = 454 cu.in. (7.44l)Max Brake Horsepower: 245 (183 kW) @ 4000 rpm
    Max Torque: 375 (508 N⋅m) @ 2800 rpm (? see below)
  • The 1973 LS-4 produced 245 hp (183 kW) at 4000 rpm and 375 lb⋅ft (508 N⋅m) @ 2800 rpm. Hardened valve seats further increased reliability and helped allow these engines to last much longer than the earlier versions, even without the protection previously provided by leaded fuel.
  • The LS5 454 engine has a compression ratio of 10.25 to 1.
  • Block = (one of ?)
    361959 1973-85 454 car & truck;
    3963513 1973-76 454 215;
    3999289 1972-78 454 215, 235, 240, 270, 2 bolt, car & truck
  • Heads = (?) 353049…..73-84…oval…OPEN…454, 122cc chamber, 255/119cc ports
• Engine Accessories:
  • Internal Regulator Alternator (3-wire) changed to passenger side.
  • Power Steering Pump
  • “Long” Water Pump
  • Accessory Pulleys and Brackets
• Turbo 400 Transmission
  • Included driveshaft yoke.
• Front Disc Brakes and spindles.
  • Read more HERE about “handling” upgrades.
  • (I think I got the power brake booster from a junkyard from a ’70 Chevelle)
• Wheels and Tires
  • 15″ Wheels, “Turbine-style” (used only through paint job).