[kgoings]

Looking at a 70ss. It has no engine or trans..but sellers says it is an SS. It has the SS wheels, SS dash, and SS emblems on the interior. What else can I look for, seller says it was a small block SS.

 

[98drags10]

They didn't make a small block SS in 1970. If it is a real SS it should have a 12 bolt rear end with boxed lower rear control arms and a rear sway bar also.

 

[kgoings]

Is there a way to find out what engine it had from the cowl?

 

[oldtimebaseballfan]

Is there a way to find out what engine it had from the cowl?

No, the Trim Tag has info about the body color, trim, date, where assembled.
The only way to know the original engine is an original build sheet.

As stated before, there were no small block SS Chevelles in 70.

 

[furball8994]

Chads right. No SB SS's in 70. You had two choices. The RPO Z25, SS-396, and the RPO Z15, SS-454.
Big-blocks came standard with a 12-bolt rear axle.
The rear anti-sway bar (F41 suspension) was included in the SS package on all Chevelles starting in '70.
If it doesn't have these things then its NOT an SS.

 

[MEJ1990TM]

Or they just took that stuff off.
It should also have power disc brakes up front, a bigger sway bar up front, the emblems on the fender that say either SS 454, or SS 396, and it might also be worth it to check the brake pedal. On the pad there should be a disc that says Power Disc Brakes or something like that.

 

[furball8994]

Power front disc brakes (RPO JL2) were an option on any 70 velle, Not just the SS's

 

[MEJ1990TM]

I know but they were standard on the SS's. It was just something to look for.