MajD

I just bought my first Corvette. It's a 1979 4-speed and I'm having trouble determining whether or not it has an L-48 or L-82. The guy I bought it from wasn't the original owner and didn't know. I ask because it has an L-82 air intake assembly with the dual ducts, but it has the L-48 valve covers. The guy I bought it from had the valves done about 1,000 or so miles ago, so I suppose the mechanic could have unintentionally (or intentionally) put on the wrong valve covers, or the original owner could have put on the L-82 air intake system. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks.

Go Vette Go

Look at your Vin number - if the 5th digit is a 4, it's an L-82. If it is an 8 - L-48

dannyman

Locate the engine code, three letters (C _ _ )

Find on pad drivers side rear of head.

Post the code, we'll tell you whether L48 or L82.

justasbad

vetteman is correct

78Vette-SA

Does it look like this with Aluminum Valve Covers and Aluminumn Intake, or all blue including Valve Covers. If all blue, it's an L48. Aluminum is the L82.

bkerlee

As a side note, both the L82 and the L48 in 1979 had the dual intake. If you have the blue heads, you have an L48.

hwcoop

http://www.idavette.net/facts/79.htm

rihwoods

Another way to tell is at bottom of tach....you should see "L82" in very small letters just above "RPM 100"...

Also,if you remove valve covers,you will see guide plates on cylinder head if it is a L82...

Mia

Most L82's I have seen also have that nifty little L-82 emblem which is a dead give away.

dannyman

Engine codes, ZBA and ZBB were 1979 L-82

Fast81

I helped MajD check this over.
During the 79's previous life, the hood was pinstriped around the hood cowl which would have required removal of the badges. Also, the side badges weren't original.
If its any info for you, my 81 was wearing "crossfire" badges when i bought it so the occasional knucklehead slams the wrong badges on in ignorance.

Thanks to those who posted HELPFUL suggestions

blckslvr79

Well...I thought it was amusing!
Everybody is sooo touchy around here anymore.

Wuttin

Whaddja' find out MajD? On my '79 I confirmed I had at least the original L82 block by comparing the last six digits of the VIN# with the engine code on the pad under the AC compressor near the water pump on the passenger side...a little easier to get to than the one on the drivers side, I think.

Valve covers don't mean a thing...mine came with the original L82 covers but one was cracked...I seriously considered just being a cheap set of covers to seal it up until I could get/afford the L82 replacement. I also bought and added the L-82 emblems to the hood after I got it because I like the look and it's accurate...I could've added them to anything though so that's no help. You gotta go deeper...

As said before, if the 5th VIN digit on the tag is a "4" it was originally an L82; the ZBA or ZBB engine code will be on the pad along with the last six #'s of the VIN. If you were originally a 4 Speed your engine code will be ZBA. You should be able to confirm pretty easy if you had it to begin with and if you still have it now, even if it's NOM. Keep us posted...

Best of luck, Steve

Ron R

Give this a try ... www.corvettelink.com/vindecoder.asp

C3 4ME

Also, look up high in the transmission case on the passenger side to determine if it's the original one or not. You're looking for a number stamp on the pad that should also match the last digits of the VIN. If I remember correctly, the close ratio 4 spd should have 2 shift levers coming out of the side cover and the 3rd comes out of the case itself. I believe all L-82 4 spds were the close ratio one. Mine is a numbers matching L-82 4spd, though not stock.

rihwoods

My 78 L82 is a 4 speed...Borg Warner Super T-10...factory stock RPO MM4...not close ratio...(3.70 rear).

The tranny stamp: WG782...W= Warner Gear....G= July 78

Rich

fauxrs2

not all L-82's got close ratio....mine did...but if you look at the # of close ratio trannys per year delivered, you will find its usually less than the # of L-82's. Regardless of close or wide ratio.. IIRC ...the muncies or borg warner units had 2 levers on the side cover and one on the tailshaft...the saginaw had all three on the side cover

rihwoods

If memory serves me,Saginaws were used in 1979 vettes to some degree...dang CRS again...

Some more info:

Ron R

Here's how you can tell if you have an L-82 ... race someone in an L-48. If it's a tie, you have an L-82.