Is this stock or crate?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 26
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From: Wylie TX
Is this stock or crate?
It was suggested to me this weekend that this motor is probably a replacement based on the fact that it has Mr. Goodwrench valve covers. Is this an accurate assumption? Which engine casting numbers would tell me? This is a '79 L48 (according to the VIN).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Wildwood IL
First, there are stamped numbers on a shelf infront of the right side (pasnger) cylinder head. A portion of that number should match your vehicle vin if it's original. Second, there are numbers cast into the rear of the block on the left side. (drivers) These will tell you when the block was manufactured. Run those numbers and you'll know...original...replacement...crate.
Eddie
Eddie
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Philadelphia, sub burbs Wynnewood, PA
Originally Posted by Cali,68,L-79
Holy shiznit was that car submerged in salt water??
lots of work to do on that car.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
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From: Wylie TX
Originally Posted by big_G
That is the GM crate engine, rated optimistically at 290 hp.
I did find the number cast infront of the head on the passenger side, it is ME11...88. I can't remember what was in the middle, 1 or 2 other digits. In looking on Google this may indicate a crate engine built in Mexico. Sound right?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Wildwood IL
Originally Posted by gdolson
If this is the case, is this a better engine than the original L48 or basically the same thing?
?
?
Eddie
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
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From: Austin Texas
Originally Posted by Silvr77
79 L-48 was rated at what....190 horse??? Yeah..I'd say it's better!!!
Eddie
Eddie
The 79 engine was rated at 190 hp SAE(net), all accessories operational, crate engines are rated at the crankshaft, BHP. (Brake HorsePower), gross ...apples and oranges!
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,971
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From: Longwood Florida
The engine bay may need some work but the inside is not bad at all... body seems good (front bumper is obviously needing to be replaced). TO me I would rather need the engine bay redone on a old vette....thats cheaper than interior and body work.... and engine work mean more FUN!!! 
Oh yeah... that is a Crate motor by the valve covers. Need casting number to be sure... could be just aftermarket heads. stock bottom?
Oh yeah... that is a Crate motor by the valve covers. Need casting number to be sure... could be just aftermarket heads. stock bottom?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
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From: Wylie TX
Originally Posted by Cali,68,L-79
Holy shiznit was that car submerged in salt water??
That made me laugh when I read it! It's about the same reaction I had when I first saw it. Don't worry, we didn't have to pay an arm and a leg for a p.o.s. It was my wifes fathers car and he left it to our son last year when he passed. We just trailered it back from AZ to Texas a couple weeks ago. I think the rust happened because it had been wrapped (and I mean like a christmas present!) in 2 layers of plastic with a tarp over the whole thing for about 5 years. Humidity must have collected in there. It was in Prescott where it gets hot during the day and cool at night, perfect condensation conditions. The interior is musty smelling too. We're trying to decide whether to build this engine up or replace it. Don't want to have to mortgage the house to do this! My son's been eying a late 80's L98 but I would rather not mess with the TPI and all its electronics. He just called and said his shop owner has a Chevelle 427 engine he would sell him.By the way, fired the beast up yesterday and boy was it not happy! I'm surprised the fire dept. didn't show up!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
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From: Wylie TX
Let me add a tranny question to this. It has the stock 79 automatic transmission. How strong is this? Is there a HP limit for this transmission? I realize it has alot to do with how it is driven, I'm just wondering if it is practical to have the stock trans with a 300-400HP motor.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 511
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From: Phoenix AZ
Originally Posted by gdolson
......just trailered it back from AZ to Texas a couple weeks ago. I think the rust happened because it had been wrapped (and I mean like a christmas present!) in 2 layers of plastic ......
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
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From: Wylie TX
Originally Posted by WhichVette?
Wow, that thing is seriously rusty. Have you checked the frame and birdcage well yet? I'd certainly do that before putting any money into it...
As a result of the hit on the left front, it looks like the body mount that you can see through the passenger side louver is broken. How hard is that to fix?
Last edited by gdolson; Aug 16, 2005 at 12:10 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,253
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From: Rochester Kent
Originally Posted by gdolson
Let me add a tranny question to this. It has the stock 79 automatic transmission. How strong is this? Is there a HP limit for this transmission? I realize it has alot to do with how it is driven, I'm just wondering if it is practical to have the stock trans with a 300-400HP motor.
