Identifying a 1977 C3
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 41
Likes: 4
Identifying a 1977 C3
I bought a C3 a few months back and am going through fixing the various leaks and issues before I get it painted.
I saw on Ecklers a reference to 77E, M, and L parts... and best I could find is that means 'Early', 'Mid Year', and 'Late' models. Mine seems to be a bit of a 'Franken Car'. The hood has the L82 emblem, but the VIN shows it isn't an L82. I was looking at a video on removing the door panels and the '77 in the video had a different door panel than mine. The proportioner valve isn't in the spot the Haynes Manual or online vids show it should be in, there is no security lock on the driver's fender. The previous owner worked on the motor and removed all the emissions and I think he may have done 'other mods'... not necessarily good ones. Is there a reference somewhere on the differences between an E,M,and L? Parts should all be the same I would think, I just want to know a bit about the car I have.
I saw on Ecklers a reference to 77E, M, and L parts... and best I could find is that means 'Early', 'Mid Year', and 'Late' models. Mine seems to be a bit of a 'Franken Car'. The hood has the L82 emblem, but the VIN shows it isn't an L82. I was looking at a video on removing the door panels and the '77 in the video had a different door panel than mine. The proportioner valve isn't in the spot the Haynes Manual or online vids show it should be in, there is no security lock on the driver's fender. The previous owner worked on the motor and removed all the emissions and I think he may have done 'other mods'... not necessarily good ones. Is there a reference somewhere on the differences between an E,M,and L? Parts should all be the same I would think, I just want to know a bit about the car I have.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,449
Likes: 40
From: Panama City Beach, Florida
Hello -
Early 77's had the alarm switch on the drivers front fenders and might have a Stingray emblem instead of crossed flags, horn button could be silver if the original owner didn't bring it in for the recall. Also could have an orange engine block instead of blue. Mine is what I'd say would be a mid, year and it was built in March, it has the alarm switch in the door lock and has crossed flags on the fenders. Late ones could have a different air cleaner is what I've heard. You can go to the link below and figure out approx. when it was built. I hope this helps.
Happy Motoring, Frank
https://www.c3registry.com/index.php...hdayCalculator
Early 77's had the alarm switch on the drivers front fenders and might have a Stingray emblem instead of crossed flags, horn button could be silver if the original owner didn't bring it in for the recall. Also could have an orange engine block instead of blue. Mine is what I'd say would be a mid, year and it was built in March, it has the alarm switch in the door lock and has crossed flags on the fenders. Late ones could have a different air cleaner is what I've heard. You can go to the link below and figure out approx. when it was built. I hope this helps.
Happy Motoring, Frank
https://www.c3registry.com/index.php...hdayCalculator
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,365
Likes: 1,727
From: Seattle Area Washington
It can be confusing for sure, The AIM will show parts and revision dates that will help.
There were 3 different driver side front fender displays.
Early: Alarm Key only No Cross Flag Emblem
Mid: Alarm Key & Cross Flag Emblem
Late: Cross Flag Emblem Only. Alarm Switch Was Incorporated Into Drivers Door Key
A Stingray Emblem Was Never Installed On A 1977 Front Fender
The things I would look closely at are the Electrical harnesses and T-top weather stripping.
Electrical: 1st design VIN between 02287-27372 & 2nd design between 27373-49213
T-Top weather stripping:
70-77EUses a separate metal retainer to attach weatherstrip to side of T-Top panel and uses 19 fasteners.
77L-82 Uses a built-in metal retainer to attach weatherstrip to side of panel and uses 18 fasteners.
Other weather stripping 70-77 is pretty much the same.
I also purchased a Haynes manual when I purchased my 77 way before the inter-webs. I quickly found, not going to cut it. The AIM (assembly manual) in the .pdf version (personal preference) and the 1977 Chevrolet Passenger Car Service Manual (Green Cover) are a must have.
There were 3 different driver side front fender displays.
Early: Alarm Key only No Cross Flag Emblem
Mid: Alarm Key & Cross Flag Emblem
Late: Cross Flag Emblem Only. Alarm Switch Was Incorporated Into Drivers Door Key
A Stingray Emblem Was Never Installed On A 1977 Front Fender
The things I would look closely at are the Electrical harnesses and T-top weather stripping.
Electrical: 1st design VIN between 02287-27372 & 2nd design between 27373-49213
T-Top weather stripping:
70-77EUses a separate metal retainer to attach weatherstrip to side of T-Top panel and uses 19 fasteners.
77L-82 Uses a built-in metal retainer to attach weatherstrip to side of panel and uses 18 fasteners.
Other weather stripping 70-77 is pretty much the same.
I also purchased a Haynes manual when I purchased my 77 way before the inter-webs. I quickly found, not going to cut it. The AIM (assembly manual) in the .pdf version (personal preference) and the 1977 Chevrolet Passenger Car Service Manual (Green Cover) are a must have.
Last edited by bmotojoe; May 18, 2020 at 08:23 AM.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 353
Likes: 161
The things I would look closely at are the Electrical harnesses and T-top weather stripping.
Electrical: 1st design VIN between 02287-27372 & 2nd design between 27373-49213
T-Top weather stripping:
70-77EUses a separate metal retainer to attach weatherstrip to side of T-Top panel and uses 19 fasteners.
77L-82 Uses a built-in metal retainer to attach weatherstrip to side of panel and uses 18 fasteners.
Other weather stripping 70-77 is pretty much the same.
I also purchased a Haynes manual when I purchased my 77 way before the inter-webs. I quickly found, not going to cut it. The AIM (assembly manual) in the .pdf version (personal preference) and the 1977 Chevrolet Passenger Car Service Manual (Green Cover) are a must have.
Electrical: 1st design VIN between 02287-27372 & 2nd design between 27373-49213
T-Top weather stripping:
70-77EUses a separate metal retainer to attach weatherstrip to side of T-Top panel and uses 19 fasteners.
77L-82 Uses a built-in metal retainer to attach weatherstrip to side of panel and uses 18 fasteners.
Other weather stripping 70-77 is pretty much the same.
I also purchased a Haynes manual when I purchased my 77 way before the inter-webs. I quickly found, not going to cut it. The AIM (assembly manual) in the .pdf version (personal preference) and the 1977 Chevrolet Passenger Car Service Manual (Green Cover) are a must have.
Do yourself a BIG favor and get the AIM and a shop manual sooner than later. I bought a Haynes manual right after a got my car and now it takes up space in one of my tool boxes. The manuals I use live on a shelf in the garage for easy access.
Last edited by Devs77; May 18, 2020 at 07:27 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 41
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According to the VIN decoder it says birthday is March 24, 1977. So someone has done work on this car it seems. Wouldn't that be considered an E, and should have the alarm key on the driver's fender but not emblem? Mine has the crossed flags but no alarm key. I haven't checked the T-Tops yet. Engine block in mine is blue, but I'm not going to go by that since the previous owner did mods and it may not even be the original motor, although he said it is.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
Model year is august to may or june. That is pretty late. Half the cars built in calander year 77 are 78's. I think moto posted the actual vin number borderline between the 3 1977 versions.
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Instructor
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 103
Likes: 13
From: Near D.C.
Ironically, my '77 also has the L82 emblems on the hood, though the VIN indicates it was not L82 coming out of the factory. Someone will have to correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe some of the modifications can be done to the engine to make it "L82". FWIW I have a later model...no alarm key, cross emblems.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 41
Likes: 4
Ironically, my '77 also has the L82 emblems on the hood, though the VIN indicates it was not L82 coming out of the factory. Someone will have to correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe some of the modifications can be done to the engine to make it "L82". FWIW I have a later model...no alarm key, cross emblems.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,191
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
L82 has 4 bolt mains. Better crank and rods as well as forged pistons. L48 is 2 bolt mains. Lower compression, cast reverse dome pistons. Yes it is possible to convert a 2 bolt main block to 4 bolt. It defiantly doesn't look factory. But some claim it's even better.
far more likely that someone added the emblems at a later date.
my Dec. 1 build early 77 came with the ugly aqua/blue engine. I painted it black long ago.
I live in Australia, amazing how many ******* put chevy emblems on there Holdens. Not sure who there trying to impress.
far more likely that someone added the emblems at a later date.
my Dec. 1 build early 77 came with the ugly aqua/blue engine. I painted it black long ago.
I live in Australia, amazing how many ******* put chevy emblems on there Holdens. Not sure who there trying to impress.
Last edited by 4-vettes; May 19, 2020 at 05:30 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
What's the time built code on the trim tag? The 1977 model year began in August, 1976. A 77 assembled in March, 1977 would be coded H. Last car built in February was #24662; last car built in March was #29041. Post your VIN.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,019
Likes: 1,119
From: North tonawanda NY
Ironically, my '77 also has the L82 emblems on the hood, though the VIN indicates it was not L82 coming out of the factory. Someone will have to correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe some of the modifications can be done to the engine to make it "L82". FWIW I have a later model...no alarm key, cross emblems.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,019
Likes: 1,119
From: North tonawanda NY
L82 has 4 bolt mains. Better crank and rods as well as forged pistons. L48 is 2 bolt mains. Lower compression, cast reverse dome pistons. Yes it is possible to convert a 2 bolt main block to 4 bolt. It defiantly doesn't look factory. But some claim it's even better.
far more likely that someone added the emblems at a later date.
my Dec. 1 build early 77 came with the ugly aqua/blue engine. I painted it black long ago.
I live in Australia, amazing how many ******* put chevy emblems on there Holdens. Not sure who there trying to impress.
far more likely that someone added the emblems at a later date.
my Dec. 1 build early 77 came with the ugly aqua/blue engine. I painted it black long ago.
I live in Australia, amazing how many ******* put chevy emblems on there Holdens. Not sure who there trying to impress.
Last edited by augiedoggy; May 19, 2020 at 08:41 AM.
Instructor
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 103
Likes: 13
From: Near D.C.
Mine is 439086, so definitely late year make. And I do believe my emblems were added to look cool. I havent bothered to take them off yet, but if I go through with the paint this winter, they'll come off then.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 41
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Same with mine... 428052. I'm probably getting a new hood for mine anyway, the previous owner for some reason took the hinges off and put hood pins in. I guess it makes working on things easier, but NOT if it's just you! The weight of the hood isn't an issue, it's the bulkiness of it that makes it very difficult for one person to take off and put on. There are some cracks in the hood too, so I may get different style, either way the L-82 emblems are coming off when it gets painted.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,019
Likes: 1,119
From: North tonawanda NY
Same with mine... 428052. I'm probably getting a new hood for mine anyway, the previous owner for some reason took the hinges off and put hood pins in. I guess it makes working on things easier, but NOT if it's just you! The weight of the hood isn't an issue, it's the bulkiness of it that makes it very difficult for one person to take off and put on. There are some cracks in the hood too, so I may get different style, either way the L-82 emblems are coming off when it gets painted.