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How can I determine if my '68 vette is an L88, without having the tank sticker and the original motor? It was rumored that the car was, but 15 years ago when I bought it out of a field, that didn't mean anything to me, I just knew it was a vette. Are there any unique parts to an L88 body/chassis that might give me a clue? Thanks!
About the only thing that was exclusive to the L88 in '68 that wasn't also available on the 435hp cars was the HD Alum 436 radiator (those are the last 3 digits of the part number on top of the rad). Other things that point to L88 - but are not necessarily exclusive to L88's are:
TI ignition
J56 Dual-pin front brake calipers w/J50
F41 suspension (7-leaf spring, HD front coils, HD front & rear sway bar and HD shocks)
6500 RPM redline tach
No factory radio (no capacitors, no factory antenae, no grounding straps, block-off plate)
M22 transmission (could've been a T400 though)
Other telltale signs of a 427 car (HD half shaft caps, etc.)
That'd be cool if it had all this! But since L88's are such big-buck cars, you really need paperwork to "prove" it is what it is. Since only 80 L88's were built in '68, somebody has to remeber it. In that case, you might be able to track down it's ownership/lineage to help substantiate it's provenance. Good luck!
Chances of it being an L88 are very slim. I believe only 80 were made that year. Does the car of a heater? If so, then the car is not an L88. There are other things that an L88 did not have, but I am sure every other car came with a heater.
Actually for the model '68, Corvettes optioned with the L-88 only came with the M22 HD transmission, TH400 auto transmissions didn't come into play untill the '69 model year for L-88 application.
All '68 and newer Corvettes were fitted with heater/defrosters, it was a mandatory Federal ruling. No exceptions.