1975 valve covers
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 8
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1975 valve covers
I just bought an all original 75 vette with 14400 miles. It's an L48 but it has the L82 valve covers. I'm confused about which stamped steel covers are correct. Do both covers have tabs spot welded on or just passenger side??? My car is a late 75, it's vin is in the last 7.5% of the cars made that year. Some books show both ways. I have a set with tabs on both sides. If these are not correct then what year??? 78-80???
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,692
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using google "image 1975 corvette engine l48" seems to come up with only a few images of the same engine with both sides. Definitely see it on passenger side but drivers not so sure. Sure you dont want to keep the L-82 covers?
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 8
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No. I want to put it back to original. That's why I bought that car.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 8
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What is your vin # stamped on that 75 block on the id tab??? Mine is a late 75. Vin#435650. Ok then either way is correct. I need to come up with a NCRS book and cross reference it. If I have to I can remove the tabs on drivers side and grind the spot welds down. Thanks
Last edited by Smokewolf67; Oct 1, 2013 at 06:02 PM.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 8
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Thanks. Your vin should read something like this.
1Z37J5S435650.
1-GM
Z-Corvette
37-coupe or 67 convertible
J-L48 or T-L82
5-year
S- St. Louis
Last 6 is your sequence #
Mine was 35650 vette made in 75.
It seems your motor was really close to mine. I think your missing your last number.
1Z37J5S435650.
1-GM
Z-Corvette
37-coupe or 67 convertible
J-L48 or T-L82
5-year
S- St. Louis
Last 6 is your sequence #
Mine was 35650 vette made in 75.
It seems your motor was really close to mine. I think your missing your last number.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
My car had so many (still does) incorrect parts when I started. I sold them all and bought the correct replacement parts from about every source you can imagine. I plan on a crate engine to replace the tired mill thats in it now at that time I will remove the headers and return it to stock manifolds. Those L82 valve covers should bring you a fair price if you sell them. I think its great that you are putting it back to the way it came from GM. Nothing against mods that's cool too just nice to see a factory correct car.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Oct 2013
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Well it's so factory correct now it'd be a shame to change it. I've only found 3 things incorrect. Valve covers no smog pump and there's 350 emblems on the hood. Stingrays are missing and nose emblem. It has original tires jack t top bags and straps. All original interior. No rips tears or cracks. It's only got 14447 documented miles. The guy I got it from only put 2400 miles on it in 26 years. Drained gas put a battery in it, sprayed some carb cleaner in it. Fired right up even with 38 year old plugs and wires. My car is a white on dark red auto. Can't wait to get it driving.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
Well it's so factory correct now it'd be a shame to change it. I've only found 3 things incorrect. Valve covers no smog pump and there's 350 emblems on the hood. Stingrays are missing and nose emblem. It has original tires jack t top bags and straps. All original interior. No rips tears or cracks. It's only got 14447 documented miles. The guy I got it from only put 2400 miles on it in 26 years. Drained gas put a battery in it, sprayed some carb cleaner in it. Fired right up even with 38 year old plugs and wires. My car is a white on dark red auto. Can't wait to get it driving.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,390
Likes: 315
From: Belmont Michigan
Out of curiosity I went out and looked at the valve covers on my '75. It is a 60,000 mile, fairly unmolested car, and was built on the 1st day of '75 production (#187). Both valve covers have two tabs.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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The exact date is not on the car, my 69 has a sticker on drivers side door surround with month and year only. You can try the C3 registry and look for serial numbers close to your car and see if they have dates.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
You want the NCRS 1975-77 Corvette Technical Information and Judging Guide http://www.ncrs.org/shop/index.php?m...roducts_id=217 If there was a valve cover change during the 75 model year, the judging guide will probably have something to say about it.
The time/build code in the upper righthand corner of your trim tag will give you the month and day your car passed the station on the assembly line where the tag was attached. Look for J (month) and two numbers.
The time/build code in the upper righthand corner of your trim tag will give you the month and day your car passed the station on the assembly line where the tag was attached. Look for J (month) and two numbers.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Oct 2, 2013 at 12:08 PM.