age old L82 Question

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Apr 17, 2017 | 01:13 PM

ianmcgee67179

Thread Starter

Instructor

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Posts: 157

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From: Yorktown VA

age old L82 Question

I have had my car for about 10 years now, I just had it rebuilt, bored to 383, put a slightly beefier cam(magnum cam), with some blueprint aluminum heads, for a little more power, and already have hooker headers and side pipes. I know it was a numbers matching car, that's why I opted to rebuild the engine instead of get rid of it. I have always just believed the L82 tag on the hood till I started reading and realizing people swop them out.

So I look at my vid and the 5th number is an 8...which points to it being an L48 but in disbelief, I wanted to check and make sure I didn't have the ZBB or ZBA on my block.. and I look and I see a ZAH....I know the ZA also points towards an L48 but I can not find what the ZAH means... can anyone help me out? Also, I have already changed all the things that made the L48 a lesser of an engine, so is it worth it to continue building the car. A picture of the block stamp is below. would love any advise!

Apr 17, 2017 | 01:23 PM

Mr D.

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From: Huntsville AL

Doesn't really matter what it was or is because it's now NOM 383 car. Just enjoy it.

Apr 17, 2017 | 01:24 PM

Alan 71

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Joined: Sep 2006

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From: Westminster Maryland

Hi i,
The information I have indicates the ZAH suffix is a 79, 350/195, 4-barrel engine for use with an automatic transmission and was installed in Corvettes.
Regards,
Alan

Last edited by Alan 71; Apr 17, 2017 at 01:25 PM.

Apr 17, 2017 | 01:34 PM

Easy Mike

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From: Southbound

Cruise-In II Veteran

Quote:

Originally Posted by ianmcgee67179

...I can not find what the ZAH means... can anyone help me out?...

ZAH indicates a 79 base engine car with AT, confirmed by the 8 in the VIN.

Apr 17, 2017 | 04:06 PM

7T1vette

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Joined: Jan 2006

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From: Crossville TN

You have a base L-48 engine. The L-82 engines were either ZBA or ZBB. (1979 model year)

Apr 17, 2017 | 04:23 PM

Staylor63

Burning Brakes

Joined: Oct 2015

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From: Roselle Illinois

I have a ZAM, and I can tell you what that means...

It means the thinnest, weakest block GM ever made.

I'm not bitter....I just replaced it!

Apr 18, 2017 | 12:56 AM

7T1vette

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From: Crossville TN

Sha - ZAM !!!

Last edited by 7T1vette; Apr 18, 2017 at 12:57 AM.

Apr 18, 2017 | 08:46 AM

Staylor63

Burning Brakes

Joined: Oct 2015

Posts: 1,083

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From: Roselle Illinois

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7T1vette

Sha - ZAM !!!

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Apr 18, 2017 | 09:20 AM

Easy Mike

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From: Southbound

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Staylor63

...I have a ZAM, and I can tell you what that means...It means the thinnest, weakest block GM ever made...

That's curious. Why would your ZAM block be any weaker or thinner than my ZBC block? They're both 010 blocks.

Apr 18, 2017 | 09:24 AM

#10

Staylor63

Burning Brakes

Joined: Oct 2015

Posts: 1,083

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From: Roselle Illinois

Quote:

Originally Posted by Easy Mike

That's curious. Why would your ZAM block be any weaker or thinner than my ZBC block? They're both 010 blocks.

Nope, Unfortunately for me I have the 207 block....I picked up a high nickel 010 block to be my replacement though!

Apr 18, 2017 | 12:17 PM

#11

Tooonz

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Joined: Oct 2013

Posts: 992

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From: Sutton MA

Our 79 has the L82 emblem on the hood as well, it's not an L82. But we did have a 4 bolt main block in the car so I had that rebuilt .40 over with a mild cam, some 461 camel hump heads and it has some kick. It's a driver for us, have fun!