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L48 or L82?

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Old Dec 12, 2013 | 11:19 PM
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Default L48 or L82?

I just bought an engine block and heads for a 1974 Corvette (350 CI) and was wondering if there is any markings on the block to tell if it is for an L-48 or L82 car. The VIN derivative wont have the letter that the full VIN would have. It is just the engine block and heads.
Thanks!
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Old Dec 13, 2013 | 12:05 AM
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Originally Posted by chstitans42
I just bought an engine block and heads for a 1974 Corvette (350 CI) and was wondering if there is any markings on the block to tell if it is for an L-48 or L82 car. The VIN derivative wont have the letter that the full VIN would have. It is just the engine block and heads.
Thanks!
Funny you ask. I recently acquired 74 convertible, and went through just that. I was told the engine wasn't original. A little research proved otherwise. So yes, not only can you tell if it's an L-48 or an L-82 and what year, it can also tell whether the transmission that was mated to that motor was a standard or an automatic. I'll do some digging and try to post the link. Congrats on your 74! The bummer to our year is the dismal HP from either the L-48 or the L-82. On the bright side ours was the last year of true duel exhaust and more importantly I can assure you, is the fact ours was the last year to have a fiberglass floorboard. Thank your lucky stars on that one, I assure you!
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Old Dec 13, 2013 | 12:11 AM
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Originally Posted by chstitans42
I just bought an engine block and heads for a 1974 Corvette (350 CI) and was wondering if there is any markings on the block to tell if it is for an L-48 or L82 car. The VIN derivative wont have the letter that the full VIN would have. It is just the engine block and heads.
Thanks!
Tell us what's stamped on the pad in front of the passenger side cylinder head.
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Old Dec 13, 2013 | 12:36 AM
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Originally Posted by Mike Ward
Tell us what's stamped on the pad in front of the passenger side cylinder head.
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Old Dec 13, 2013 | 09:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Mike Ward
Tell us what's stamped on the pad in front of the passenger side cylinder head.

You should find two stampings on the engine pad. Engine ID and VIN derivitive.
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Old Dec 13, 2013 | 09:35 AM
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What size valves? 2 or 4 bolt mains?
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Old Dec 13, 2013 | 09:38 AM
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Simple test: Drop the pan, 2 bolt mains = L48, 4 bolt mains = L82.
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Old Dec 13, 2013 | 09:41 AM
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Is engine suffix missing?



If so, check the number of main bolts (L82 has 4-bolt mains) and check the pistons (dished vs. flat tops). Granted, these could have been changed out, but it will give you a better idea.
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Old Dec 13, 2013 | 10:06 AM
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Originally Posted by LeMans Pete
Is engine suffix missing?



If so, check the number of main bolts (L82 has 4-bolt mains) and check the pistons (dished vs. flat tops). Granted, these could have been changed out, but it will give you a better idea.
The CLA suffix shows that it is a 350ci 195 hp automatic it is not an L82. It's an L48.
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Old Dec 13, 2013 | 10:17 AM
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Originally Posted by Patro46
Funny you ask. I recently acquired 74 convertible, and went through just that. I was told the engine wasn't original. A little research proved otherwise. So yes, not only can you tell if it's an L-48 or an L-82 and what year, it can also tell whether the transmission that was mated to that motor was a standard or an automatic. I'll do some digging and try to post the link. Congrats on your 74! The bummer to our year is the dismal HP from either the L-48 or the L-82. On the bright side ours was the last year of true duel exhaust and more importantly I can assure you, is the fact ours was the last year to have a fiberglass floorboard. Thank your lucky stars on that one, I assure you!
Well I actually only bought an engine block, heads and intake. I didnt get a whole '74 Corvette this time! Oh and just so you know 1975 also had fiberglass floors in them. 76 was the first yer for metal floors.
Originally Posted by Mike Ward
Tell us what's stamped on the pad in front of the passenger side cylinder head.
Pics will be coming.
Originally Posted by pacecar620
Simple test: Drop the pan, 2 bolt mains = L48, 4 bolt mains = L82.
If it that easy, then it is an L48 since it had two bolt mains.
Originally Posted by LeMans Pete
Is engine suffix missing?
Have not checked yet I will this morning.


If so, check the number of main bolts (L82 has 4-bolt mains) and check the pistons (dished vs. flat tops). Granted, these could have been changed out, but it will give you a better idea.
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Old Dec 13, 2013 | 10:44 AM
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Check the pad on the block. Pete's pic shows you what to look for and where to find it. If the engine ID suffix is there, you don't have to pull the pan or the valve covers to identify the engine.

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Old Dec 13, 2013 | 02:18 PM
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Originally Posted by SSG26K
The CLA suffix shows that it is a 350ci 195 hp automatic it is not an L82. It's an L48.
Correct. I do not have a '74 L82 (auto or manual shift) engine pad in my library. My purpose was to give the OP a snapshot of what he is looking for. From previous posts, he is very astute corvette enthusiast, so I am sure he knows about the engine pad. But, I don't always like to assume.
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Old Dec 13, 2013 | 03:27 PM
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Checked the VIN derivative and there is an S in the VIN meaning L48. Also the block as two bolt mains, so there it is. Thanks for the help guys!
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Old Dec 13, 2013 | 04:33 PM
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Originally Posted by chstitans42
Checked the VIN derivative and there is an S in the VIN meaning L48. Also the block as two bolt mains, so there it is. Thanks for the help guys!
They all have an S in the VIN derivative, including the big blocks..............

S is for St. Louis assembly plant.
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Old Dec 14, 2013 | 10:06 AM
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Originally Posted by Mike Ward
They all have an S in the VIN derivative, including the big blocks...S is for St. Louis assembly plant.
Yep.

Check the number on the pad beside the VIN derivitive.

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Old Dec 14, 2013 | 12:49 PM
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Old Dec 14, 2013 | 01:25 PM
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The 4 before the S in the VIN says it's from a '74 model year car. The engine machine code says it was assembled on August 1st at the Flint MI plant and went into a L48 w/Turbo 400 Corvette.

The VIN indicates it was installed in car S/N 131, probably the second day of production.
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To L48 or L82?

Old Dec 14, 2013 | 01:42 PM
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There you go: CLA is the engine suffix for a L48 automatic.
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Old Dec 14, 2013 | 09:56 PM
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Originally Posted by chstitans42
I just bought an engine block and heads for a 1974 Corvette (350 CI) and was wondering if there is any markings on the block to tell if it is for an L-48 or L82 car. The VIN derivative wont have the letter that the full VIN would have. It is just the engine block and heads.
Thanks!



Here is site that gives the casting numbers

http://corvettec3.ca/casting.htm#1974_Options
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Old Dec 15, 2013 | 11:40 AM
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Originally Posted by LeMans Pete
There you go: CLA is the engine suffix for a L48 automatic.
Bingo. An L-48 for automatic transmission assembled August 1 at Flint. It went into #131 at St. Louis about two weeks later.

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