Identifying a 78
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Identifying a 78
A 78 vette was found for sale by my nephew, out of state. Can anyone help identifying it from photos only.? I don't have the vin, the photos only at this time. Can the motor be detected L42 vs. L82 from the pics.? Also, can you suggest a reasonable price? It's been sitting for several years, don't know the condition of rust.TIA WB
Any info would be helpful!
Any info would be helpful!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
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From: Newark DE
based on the pictures it's an L48 4-speed
prive would be impossible to fairly determinr without a lot more, better quality pictures and plenty of info on options, condition of everything, especially the frame, birdcage, and body.
Even condition of interior and engine bay will be helpful.
based on those few pictures it could be worth $1k - $10k and anywhere in between.
Sorry, too many variables still unknown
prive would be impossible to fairly determinr without a lot more, better quality pictures and plenty of info on options, condition of everything, especially the frame, birdcage, and body.
Even condition of interior and engine bay will be helpful.
based on those few pictures it could be worth $1k - $10k and anywhere in between.
Sorry, too many variables still unknown
Last edited by BarryK; Jul 26, 2006 at 08:24 PM.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Kinzers. PA
Well a l48 4speed, White with what looks like dark blue interior.... I would offer 3k... Just for the fact i have a White 78 L48 auto, that looked like it was a little bit more decent for 3.3k I woudlnt pay more then 4k though.... How much was this person asking for....
Clasic white exterior 4.150
Dark blue interior cloth 1.168k made
dark blue interior leather 3.207k
less then 8k manual.....
Total of 46k made in 78.
Clasic white exterior 4.150
Dark blue interior cloth 1.168k made
dark blue interior leather 3.207k
less then 8k manual.....
Total of 46k made in 78.
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Originally Posted by frostbitten09
Well a l48 4speed, White with what looks like dark blue interior.... I would offer 3k... Just for the fact i have a White 78 L48 auto, that looked like it was a little bit more decent for 3.3k I woudlnt pay more then 4k though.... How much was this person asking for....
Clasic white exterior 4.150
Dark blue interior cloth 1.168k made
dark blue interior leather 3.207k
less then 8k manual.....
Total of 46k made in 78.
Clasic white exterior 4.150
Dark blue interior cloth 1.168k made
dark blue interior leather 3.207k
less then 8k manual.....
Total of 46k made in 78.
The car is really light blue, but faded badly. Your right in line with the asking price! Also I can see that it has PW, PB, no air? Does the radio look stock?
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Kinzers. PA
Originally Posted by War Bonnet
Very good
The car is really light blue, but faded badly. Your right in line with the asking price! Also I can see that it has PW, PB, no air? Does the radio look stock?
The car is really light blue, but faded badly. Your right in line with the asking price! Also I can see that it has PW, PB, no air? Does the radio look stock?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: B'ham Alabama
Originally Posted by War Bonnet
Thanks Barry what gives away the fact that it's an L48?
All of the L82's had alluminum finned valve covers and a chrome air cleaner. Obviously, these items could have been changed, but I would bet the valve cover's haven't.
The L82 had "L82" emblem on the side of the hood,
It should have an L82 9:50 to 1 comression ratio emblem on console,
The tach will say L82 in very small letters at the bottom,
You can also tell by the VIN# if it's an L82.
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Originally Posted by frostbitten09
ya No air, i cant tell from the photos but my best bet would be Not the stock radio, Non tilt Tele.. I would say 3k, 4k is high, but it matters, how it runs and drives and its problems....
Couple more pics
Look like tilt/tele, no?
Sorry the pics are small when they went thru photobucket they got reduced
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Originally Posted by Vettkeeper
Check the frame for rust and damage. What are your plans for the car?
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Originally Posted by Vet76te
All of the L82's had alluminum finned valve covers and a chrome air cleaner. Obviously, these items could have been changed, but I would bet the valve cover's haven't.
The L82 had "L82" emblem on the side of the hood,
It should have an L82 9:50 to 1 comression ratio emblem on console,
The tach will say L82 in very small letters at the bottom,
You can also tell by the VIN# if it's an L82.
The L82 had "L82" emblem on the side of the hood,
It should have an L82 9:50 to 1 comression ratio emblem on console,
The tach will say L82 in very small letters at the bottom,
You can also tell by the VIN# if it's an L82.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
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From: Newark DE
Originally Posted by War Bonnet
Thanks Barry what gives away the fact that it's an L48?
The L82's has aluminum finned valve covers - black with bare silver looking aluminum on the top of the fins and a dual snorkle air cleaner.
Additionally, the air cleaner lid was chrome on the l82's instead of black on the L48's.
as a comparison, this is what a '78 L82 would look like - scroll about 3/4 th way down the page to see the motor pretty much completely assembled and installed:
http://69.253.166.197/page1/page127/...7/page157.html
see the differences in the valve covers and air cleaner betenn the L48 you posted and this L82?
As mentioned, there are other way to tell such as the VIN#, emblems on the hood, markings on the tach, etc but it was easy to see just from the engine bay pics what motor it was.
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Originally Posted by BarryK
easiest way on a overall engine bay pic as you showed is that the L48's has the stamped steel valve covers painted engine color (blue) and a single snorkle air cleaner such as is shown in the picture.
The L82's has aluminum finned valve covers - black with bare silver looking aluminum on the top of the fins and a dual snorkle air cleaner.
Additionally, the air cleaner lid was chrome on the l82's instead of black on the L48's.
as a comparison, this is what a '78 L82 would look like - scroll about 3/4 th way down the page to see the motor pretty much completely assembled and installed:
http://69.253.166.197/page1/page127/...7/page157.html
see the differences in the valve covers and air cleaner betenn the L48 you posted and this L82?
As mentioned, there are other way to tell such as the VIN#, emblems on the hood, markings on the tach, etc but it was easy to see just from the engine bay pics what motor it was.
The L82's has aluminum finned valve covers - black with bare silver looking aluminum on the top of the fins and a dual snorkle air cleaner.
Additionally, the air cleaner lid was chrome on the l82's instead of black on the L48's.
as a comparison, this is what a '78 L82 would look like - scroll about 3/4 th way down the page to see the motor pretty much completely assembled and installed:
http://69.253.166.197/page1/page127/...7/page157.html
see the differences in the valve covers and air cleaner betenn the L48 you posted and this L82?
As mentioned, there are other way to tell such as the VIN#, emblems on the hood, markings on the tach, etc but it was easy to see just from the engine bay pics what motor it was.
Looks like your car has smog equipment on it? Should it be on the car I'm showing as well?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Newark DE
yes, my L82 has everything still on it but it's also a less than 10,000 mile car - currently only has 9,801 original miles. Everything has been left on completely stock.
if i'm not mistaken (which I may be but if so someone will correct me as they always do
) the '78 L48's except the california versions didn't have the AIR pump on the front of the motor like the L82's did. This would be the part mounted in the front, in the middle, between the alternator on the drivers side and the AC compressor on the passenger side.
This was part of the emissions package but because of the changes between the L48 and the L82 they were able to pass emissions requirements without needing the AIR Pump on the basic L48. California L48's and the L82's still had them though.
BTW, if your nephew is looking for a '78 Vette, my '78 L82 low milage car is for sale......
if i'm not mistaken (which I may be but if so someone will correct me as they always do
) the '78 L48's except the california versions didn't have the AIR pump on the front of the motor like the L82's did. This would be the part mounted in the front, in the middle, between the alternator on the drivers side and the AC compressor on the passenger side. This was part of the emissions package but because of the changes between the L48 and the L82 they were able to pass emissions requirements without needing the AIR Pump on the basic L48. California L48's and the L82's still had them though.
BTW, if your nephew is looking for a '78 Vette, my '78 L82 low milage car is for sale......
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Originally Posted by BarryK
yes, my L82 has everything still on it but it's also a less than 10,000 mile car - currently only has 9,801 original miles. Everything has been left on completely stock.
if i'm not mistaken (which I may be but if so someone will correct me as they always do ) the '78 L48's except the california versions didn't have the AIR pump on the front of the motor like the L82's did. This would be the part mounted in the front, in the middle, between the alternator on the drivers side and the AC compressor on the passenger side.
This was part of the emissions package but because of the changes between the L48 and the L82 they were able to pass emissions requirements without needing the AIR Pump on the basic L48. California L48's and the L82's still had them though.
BTW, if your nephew is looking for a '78 Vette, my '78 L82 low milage car is for sale......
if i'm not mistaken (which I may be but if so someone will correct me as they always do
) the '78 L48's except the california versions didn't have the AIR pump on the front of the motor like the L82's did. This would be the part mounted in the front, in the middle, between the alternator on the drivers side and the AC compressor on the passenger side. This was part of the emissions package but because of the changes between the L48 and the L82 they were able to pass emissions requirements without needing the AIR Pump on the basic L48. California L48's and the L82's still had them though.
BTW, if your nephew is looking for a '78 Vette, my '78 L82 low milage car is for sale......
My nephew knowing that I love vettes called with information on this car.My sister was having some work done to her car at the same shop. It's cheap in my opinion, and hasn't been offered to the public yet. One question for you about your car, with such low milage why the rebuild? Sure looks like you did a hell of a job!
WB
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
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From: Newark DE
Originally Posted by War Bonnet
One question for you about your car, with such low milage why the rebuild? Sure looks like you did a hell of a job! WB
WB
Instructor
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From: Greenville South Carolina
L48
I say it is a L48, for the L82 had different valve covers and a different air cleaner. And back in 78 most L48's came with four speeds and the L82's came with an automatic, unless order differently.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
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From: eastern NC
In 1978, most Corvettes were automatic... period. Air conditioning was standard, as were power brakes and power steering. I have seen many L48's with L82 valve covers and emblems added, I've not yet seem an L82 with stamped steel valve covers and the emblems removed... but it's possible... Oh and many of the L48 4-speeds were Saginaw's...
Good luck with your find... a rusty birdcage and or frame could easily make this a parts car.
GUSTO
I was mistaken about air conditioning, it didn't become standard until part way through 1979. Approx 9,000 out of the 46,776 '78 Corvettes were ordered without A/C.
Good luck with your find... a rusty birdcage and or frame could easily make this a parts car.
GUSTO
I was mistaken about air conditioning, it didn't become standard until part way through 1979. Approx 9,000 out of the 46,776 '78 Corvettes were ordered without A/C.
Last edited by GUSTO14; Jul 27, 2006 at 10:25 PM.