Replacement block?
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Joined: Mar 2014
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Replacement block?
I have a 78 L-82, with a non original block, I think. When I got the car it had the original L-82 heads and intake manifold, but it looks like the short block has been replaced. The casting number is 14016379, which was only used in 77-79 years. Some one has painted the block and heads orange, but I noticed that the block still had some blue paint under the orange. I was curious what pistons were used in the engine, so I took out a spark plug put one of those small cameras in the chamber and found out that the pistons were flat top. Could this be a warranty replacement block? There are no numbers on the deck pad.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 829
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From: Spartanburg SC
Factory replacement blocks came stamped with a specific letter code. But, if that engine was rebuilt in later years the numbers could have been removed during the machining process. Very common .
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: SW Florida.
The 78 OE engine was blue. The orange was bubbamarket anyway. That could well be orig engine. If pad is blank, block was decked. All engines say something when they leave the plant. Even boat engines. Try to find date code on block and heads. Compare to trim tag build date.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Scottsdale Arizona
im pretty sure that 78 L-82 had dished pistons. A replacement engine probably wouldn’t have used the original smog heads. Seems likely the original engine was rebuilt and decked, removing the pad numbers.
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Le Mans Master
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From: Little Rock AR
Race Director
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From: Scottsdale Arizona
https://www.chevellestuff.net/qd/blo...ng_by_year.htm
Last edited by CA-Legal-Vette; May 13, 2019 at 11:22 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Little Rock AR
Mortec casting number page has broader year range
https://www.mortec.com/castnum.htm
https://www.mortec.com/castnum.htm
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2014
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I looked on the rear, passenger side of the block for a casting date and the only thing I found was 283 in large numbers, between what looks like the imprint of 2 screws. The manufacturing date on the car looks like K06.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
On the back of the block between the distributor and drivers side head.
https://www.chevellestuff.net/qd/blo...ng_by_year.htm
https://www.chevellestuff.net/qd/blo...ng_by_year.htm
Look on DRIVER side of Block ... View from ABOVE ... REAR of Block ... Adjacent to Bellhousing ... Between Distributor Mount and DRIVER side Head
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
With valve cover off ... Look around, in between, beside valve springs.