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I have a 1977 L82 4 speed. Did the L82 Engine come stock with guide plates? My engine has 72K miles on it and it has always idled like it has an aftermarket cam. I am the 3rd or forth owner and the guy I purchased it from could never tell me any of it's mechanical history. It is running an Edelbrock Performer and AVS2 Carb. with a 370 gear. Summit Cast Iron exhaust manifolds with 2 1/2" pipes all the way out through MF Mufflers. It pulls very strong through all the gears, even over 80mph it is still has a lot of power. I try not to push this car too hard for fear I might break something loose since I really don't have a lot of its history.
Eric, do you have a reference? I don't believe Chevrolet ever installed guide plates or screw in studs on the 882 heads ('77 L82 heads - 333882). I had a '77 L48 and my friend had a '77 L82 back in the day from new. Neither had guide plates on them.
The OP may want to post the part number on his heads to verify he has the originals. BTW, a lot of heads back in the day were modified to add guide plates when changing out a cam for a higher lift one than stock. This required machining the stud boss down and taping them for screw in studs to attach the guide plates. Unfortunately the stock 333882 heads were prone to cracking so more often than not an earlier set of heads like LT1 heads would be substituted when investing in machine work.
Mel, the heads in that post were 462624's that were used on the L82 from '78 - '81. From '74 - '77 L82's used the 333882 heads. I've never seen them with screw in studs and guide plates, but that doesn't mean none of them come with them, I've just never seen them on factory 882 heads... but I haven't seen everything, That's why I was asking if he had a reference... I'm still learning.
The guide plates were used on any HP application beginning in 1970. Before that they were all pressed in studs. Base 350s do not use them. The LT1, and L82's all were spec'd with screw in studs and guide plates. Engines that had bigger cams and RPM had a tendency to pull the studs so they were a requirement.
The factory built 67-69 302's in Z/28's did not have screw in studs and guide plates Those engines were all built before guide plates were used in production.
Last edited by stingr69; Nov 3, 2020 at 09:09 AM.
Reason: L46 had big valves but no screw-in studs or guide plates
I have a leak so getting around to putting on the recommended fel pro silicone steel gaskets (wow hope they work 60 bucks)..and will strip and powder coat the covers..
it looks like i have those pushrod guides? no clue what they do.. looks like a mile of silicone used prior..not sure what heads i have for a 79 L82 manual..
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L82 Engine Guide Plates?
Those engines were all built before guide plates were used in production.
