Help with an L-88
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 205
Likes: 15
From: East Greenwich NJ
Help with an L-88
I recently bought a '69 427/435 car. Although the car originally came with that set up, I was aware that the motor had been replaced and was told that the donor was a wrecked '69. I was also told that the manifold was a '68, and the heads were "high performance" '69 heads, whatever that was supposed to mean. I have now confirmed that the car has an L-88 block (code "LO"). With the hope that I have an L-88 in my car, I now need to find out whether the heads were originally mated to the L-88 block from the donor car.
I have checked the casting marks in "Corvette by the numbers", and from what my eyes can see, the heads could be a number of 427 heads, including the L-88. Is there anything I can look for to tell me what I have without pulling the valve covers?
Not to jump ahead, but if I do have an L-88 that was changed to a tri-power set up, what are my options both in terms of value and performance. All input will be greatly enjoyed and appreciated.
Shoevette
I have checked the casting marks in "Corvette by the numbers", and from what my eyes can see, the heads could be a number of 427 heads, including the L-88. Is there anything I can look for to tell me what I have without pulling the valve covers?
Not to jump ahead, but if I do have an L-88 that was changed to a tri-power set up, what are my options both in terms of value and performance. All input will be greatly enjoyed and appreciated.
Shoevette
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque NM
You need to look at the back of the block for the date casting....69 L88 motors should have 074 heads...the way to really tell is to remove the valve covers and check head castings....if they come up correctly...I would pull the heads off to see to verify thee casting dates of the heads. If your block date is a 68 then the heads could be a different number ETC.....It all begins with a date!... If you have a complete L88 it's worth plenty....I would pull it and drop a crate motor in.
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, the World
Are the heads Aluminium? L88's heads were aluminium. If they are iron they are the wrong heads. Look under the rocker covers. the casting number is near the pushrods in the centre. 840's are iron heads for 435's. 852 are 68 L88/89 and early 69 L88.
Oh and you may want to post the partial VIN. Somebody may have the rest of the donor 69 and be willing to pay you big bucks for the matching motor.
Oh and you may want to post the partial VIN. Somebody may have the rest of the donor 69 and be willing to pay you big bucks for the matching motor.
Last edited by RHD '68 L89; May 5, 2006 at 10:32 PM.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by RHD '68 L89
Are the heads Aluminium? L88's heads were aluminium. If they are iron they are the wrong heads. Look under the rocker covers. the casting number is near the pushrods in the centre. 840's are iron heads for 435's. 852 are 68 L88/89 and early 69 L88.
Oh and you may want to post the partial VIN. Somebody may have the rest of the donor 69 and be willing to pay you big bucks for the matching motor.
Oh and you may want to post the partial VIN. Somebody may have the rest of the donor 69 and be willing to pay you big bucks for the matching motor.
I thought L88's had iron heads and the L89's had aluminum?
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
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From: Taylor Michigan
Originally Posted by Little Mouse
L /88s had those light sort of silver looking things on them LOL.
Excuse me, for a 69 block "LO" is correct and a tri power will work on the engine very effectively
Last edited by Ironcross; May 6, 2006 at 02:20 AM.
