I was raised with 265 ci, 283 ci & 348 ci engines in 50's. I don't remember the "L". I have be trying to find out where the "L" comes from. I would appreciate knowing where the "L" designation used in chevy engines. Thanks
Aloha Richard

 

The "L" stands for liters. A liter is 61.025 cubic inches. So a 350 is now a 5.7L (actually 5.735 liters). It's all part of the metric system creeping into our lives.

 

The "L" designations for optional engines began in 1963 with the new Engineering releasing system that assigned sales RPO codes to the option parts.

 

"L" was also used to identify the engine as an inline 4 or 6 cylinder engine.

 

Now, there's everything you ever wanted to know about the letter "L"....

 

nobody said "it is the letter between K & M"......

NOW you know EVERYTHING...
Bill

 

 

There is also 2 forms of the letter

l & L

 

I just thought these letters were already taken 'H-E-M-I' and they left the 'L' for GM