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1975 L48 Engine Originallity ?

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Old Apr 12, 2011 | 02:24 AM
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Default 1975 L48 Engine Originallity ?

Can anyone tell me what needs to be done here to make this look as original as possible.

from what i can see it is missing the air cleaner rubber hood seal.
can the seal be fitted to this cleaner, and i am assuming the rocker covers are off an L82.
Plan on removing the A/C compressor and some detailing.

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Old Apr 12, 2011 | 04:54 AM
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yeah, that looks like the same 'dual snorkel' air cleaner base thats on my stock L-48 '74, so a rubber hood seal could go on there to replace the chrome lid(then you would have to get the smaller stock filter top)...and I just have the steel orange painted valve covers...but don't see anything else in that photo jumping out as non-original
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Old Apr 12, 2011 | 09:09 AM
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You need an open top air cleaner lid. also, can anyone tell me what the orange colored part is that is bolted to the front of the heater core box. You can see it in this photo just above the distributer shield. I am an original owner of a 75 coupe and I have noticed that some cars have this part and some do not.
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Old Apr 12, 2011 | 09:38 AM
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Default on my 76

Originally Posted by njcardave
You need an open top air cleaner lid. also, can anyone tell me what the orange colored part is that is bolted to the front of the heater core box. You can see it in this photo just above the distributer shield. I am an original owner of a 75 coupe and I have noticed that some cars have this part and some do not.
the orange thing you refer to on my 76 is actually a blade type fuse holder. I'm not sure what it fuses but it is an inline fuse holder of the blade type on mine.

lance
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Old Apr 12, 2011 | 09:51 AM
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Originally Posted by T Rush
yeah, that looks like the same 'dual snorkel' air cleaner base thats on my stock L-48 '74, so a rubber hood seal could go on there to replace the chrome lid(then you would have to get the smaller stock filter top)...and I just have the steel orange painted valve covers...but don't see anything else in that photo jumping out as non-original
I don't see much else either, other than wondering if the base of the air cleaner is incorrect also. The distributor shielding appears to be pushed to the rear, knocking the vertical pieces out of alignment. I think the '75 air cleaner is a one year only piece to accommodate the introduction of the HEI unit.

Not sure also if this car should have an AIR system or not but believe all L48s did.
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Old Apr 12, 2011 | 10:14 AM
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Originally Posted by njcardave
You need an open top air cleaner lid. also, can anyone tell me what the orange colored part is that is bolted to the front of the heater core box. You can see it in this photo just above the distributer shield. I am an original owner of a 75 coupe and I have noticed that some cars have this part and some do not.
That orange part is the base for the seatbelt overide relay, it was the governments way to make you buckle up before the car would start, first installed in 74 and then dropped but not before it got into early 75's.
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Old Apr 12, 2011 | 12:41 PM
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Originally Posted by petes74ttop
That orange part is the base for the seatbelt overide relay, it was the governments way to make you buckle up before the car would start, first installed in 74 and then dropped but not before it got into early 75's.
I have owned my car for 36 years and have always wondered about that part. Thank you.
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Old Apr 12, 2011 | 03:54 PM
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Originally Posted by petes74ttop
That orange part is the base for the seatbelt overide relay, it was the governments way to make you buckle up before the car would start, first installed in 74 and then dropped but not before it got into early 75's.
It is the base for the 74/75 seatbelt emergency override switch. The switch itself is missing (the black plastic & metal piece with the push button on it, in petes74 pic), only the orange plastic base remains.

Starting with the 1974 model year, Federal law required that the belts be buckled on occupied front seats, before a car would start. This was known as the "Starter Interrupt" system. New 1974 GM vehicles came with a 10 page book, explaining how the system operated, and how to use the belts.

The system included an override, in case it failed. The override was mounted in the engine compartment, to prevent drivers from regularly bypassing it. This was the Government's first attempt at a "passive" restraint system.

Almost from the first day it was in use, owners started disabling it. There was also quite a bit of trouble with them malfunctioning. There were so many problems and complaints, the Feds finally gave up on it, and repealed the law effective January 75.

All 74 model year cars, and any car built during the 1974 calender year, came with the starter interrupt, and the bypass switch.
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Old Apr 12, 2011 | 05:23 PM
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Originally Posted by gbvette62
It is the base for the 74/75 seatbelt emergency override switch. The switch itself is missing (the black plastic & metal piece with the push button on it, in petes74 pic), only the orange plastic base remains.

Starting with the 1974 model year, Federal law required that the belts be buckled on occupied front seats, before a car would start. This was known as the "Starter Interrupt" system. New 1974 GM vehicles came with a 10 page book, explaining how the system operated, and how to use the belts.

The system included an override, in case it failed. The override was mounted in the engine compartment, to prevent drivers from regularly bypassing it. This was the Government's first attempt at a "passive" restraint system.

Almost from the first day it was in use, owners started disabling it. There was also quite a bit of trouble with them malfunctioning. There were so many problems and complaints, the Feds finally gave up on it, and repealed the law effective January 75.

All 74 model year cars, and any car built during the 1974 calender year, came with the starter interrupt, and the bypass switch.
It was so bad you had to buckle up the grocery bags on the passenger seat if they were too heavy and set off the sensor under the seat.
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Old Apr 12, 2011 | 06:20 PM
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What about the valve covers.

What are they off originally (L82?) and how do i get them to look like new?
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Old Apr 12, 2011 | 07:51 PM
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Originally Posted by corvettdreamin
What about the valve covers.

What are they off originally (L82?) and how do i get them to look like new?
Those are L82 valve covers. Here's a well worn but original looking L82 for you to compare to. If you want to keep the cast valve covers your choices are to gently bead or shell blast them or have them reskinned.

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Old Apr 12, 2011 | 08:00 PM
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Take a look here http://www.73spot.com/73%20engine/engl48.htm. This is a 73 L48 but the basic looks are the same.
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Old Apr 14, 2011 | 11:22 AM
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Mike Wards engine looks almost like my 75 L-48 except for the valve covers .I have my air (smog) stuff off and no air stuff of any kind other than that I even have the bad looking rubber seal on top of the carb.
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Old Apr 14, 2011 | 12:34 PM
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This is a 75 L48 showing the air cleaner and standard valve covers. It's also supposed to have a smog pump but that has been removed.





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Old Apr 14, 2011 | 03:02 PM
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Hey Top Gun did you pull that engine and are you re-using it? that seal to hood looks good enough to sell. If so , I would buy it if the price was right.
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Old Apr 14, 2011 | 09:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Lon Wayne
Hey Top Gun did you pull that engine and are you re-using it? that seal to hood looks good enough to sell. If so , I would buy it if the price was right.
Engine is pulled and on an engine stand, not using it. That seal is glued to the air cleaner, I don't think it can be removed without damaging the rubber.
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Old Apr 14, 2011 | 11:52 PM
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What is your VIN number? They had a production change about mid year and went to the covered air cleaner, but not chrome. The valve covers may also be from the factory as well - sometimes they test fit other components or used them if they ran out.
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Old Apr 15, 2011 | 01:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Milton Fox
What is your VIN number? They had a production change about mid year and went to the covered air cleaner, but not chrome. The valve covers may also be from the factory as well - sometimes they test fit other components or used them if they ran out.
VIN No is 1z37j5s404

I think i will keep the valve covers and try and polish them up and replace the air cleaner with a nice chrome open type.
do i need a low mount base?
what aftermarket air cleaners will fit? edelbrock 14" ?
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