What makes up the difference between a 1968 L-88 & L-89?
 

I know the 427 IU motor is one item, What other options were there. The build sheet on the gas tank is gone. The car has a 427 IU motor with aluminum 842 heads and the 3-2 carb set up on it now. It has a 4-speed with 4:11 rear end. It only has a point distributor with the tach drive which works. I looked for books that would show the difference, but haven't found any yet. If this is the "Real Deal", can someone recommend a good place to have the car restored? I live on the Central Coast in California. Thanks.. Jim

Hi Rj,
A restoration shop…. how serious do you want the restoration to be?
There are many levels of 'restoration' and I think deciding on a shop depends on what YOUR EXPECTATIONS are, and can the shop FULFILL those expectations.

I remembered a post from years ago that had this info.
Perhaps this will get you started and some other folks can add to it.
Regards,
Alan

"68-69 L-89 Tri power, closed chamber aluminum heads, 11.1 C.R., .500-.520 lift cam, depending what specs you look at, 3/8" dimple rods, single valve spring w/damper, 3/8" pushrod

68 L-88 high rise intake, Holley 4bbl, closed chamber al. heads, 12.5 to 1 C.R. Wilder cam, cold chamber hood, .560 lift cam, longer duration, 7/16" rods, dual valve springs w/damper, 7/16" pushrod

69 L-88 same as 68 L-88 but open chamber aluminum heads, open chamber pistons"

Added to Alan's list. Points distributor incorrect for both engines. No distributor shielding for L88. Brown/orange plug wires for L88, braided covering for L89. M22 for L88, M21 for L89. Optional twin disc clutch for L89, single disc for L88. No radio for L88, possible radio delete option for L89. 11" clutch for L89, 10.5" clutch for L88 <- I think this is correct. Twin pin brake pads for L88, single for L89. Same tach. No fan shroud for L88. Copper rad for L88, aluminum for L89. F41 suspension for L89 but may be standard on a L88.I believe either could have power steering and brakes, but neither could be had with a/c. I'm sure there are more, but this is all that comes to mind at this time.

Although on the other side of the country for you, I'd recommend talking to Kevin MacKay at Corvette Restorers in New York. He has done numerous rare and ultra rare Corvette restorations.

That would be Corvette Repair Inc, Valley Stream, NY (516) 568-1959...

Another high end restoration shop is Nabers Motors, in Houston, TX (713) 664-1967

For either of these shops, you'll need a deep wallet.

Good luck... GUSTO

Before choosing a resto shop I would do some more homework on what You have. Ok so that is basically what your original question was. An L 88 option car came with a list of other options that were mandatory. As said above Radio Delete and J56 Brakes. The 1967's were also Heater Delete, and starting in 68 all cars had to have a defroster so that meant GM had to include it in the L88's. ( However there are people who swore there were Heater Delete 68's and 9's made) The L-89's were basically a L72 Tri power car that also had the L89 Heads option. I'm not so sure there were any mandatory options that a L72 did not have. The problem is its very easy to add the Aluminum Heads to a L72 and proclaim it a very rare L89. There were lots of these Heads sold across the parts counters back in the day. Date Codes are a good place to start. The Serial Number should give You the birthday of the Body, and since its some what impossible for the components to be made after the body they should all be dated before. So if the Heads were made 2 years after the Body that's not looking to good, if they were made 3 Months or 3 Weeks before that's looking real good. I would buy the Book " Corvettes by the Numbers" its got a wealth of information. Probably a NCRS Judging Guide as well cause that's the organization that's going to make You or break You .

Dang blasted auto spell. Should have read it before hitting post. Thanks.