Opinions on this Block Stamp
 

Would appreciate any opinions on the legitimacy of this block stamping. This is by no means my area of expertise. A friend is considering the car.

1968 Malibu Hardtop, L79 four speed, car build date 07D. I know the two digit code is right and assembly date is appropriate, but does it appear to be correct stampings for a Baltimore car.

Appreciate it.

Re: Opinions on this Block Stamp
 

Don,
Can you get one with the paint removed so that we can see the broach marks?
Or are you trying to do this from afar?
Also given that it is a Flint assembled engine it should have the 1/4" square plug in the front passenger side of the block at an angle towards the cam shaft.

Re: Opinions on this Block Stamp
 

Thanks for jumping in James.

Yes, we are dealing from quite afar. Proposed purchaser is about 200 miles from me and the car is about 1500 miles from him.

Don't have a picture of that particular area. We have this general engine shot which may or may not help.

Re: Opinions on this Block Stamp
 

I am nieve as heck when it comes to small blocks but I thought the L79 came with aluminum intake, Holley carb and chrome trim. This looks like a standard 275 hp 327. Maybe I better stick to big blocks. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

Re: Opinions on this Block Stamp
 

'65 & '66 versions had the Aluminum intake/Holley combo. Maybe the '67s too, but the '68 was definitely an iron intake and QJ. They also lost the solid cams along the line. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...thumbsdown.gif

Re: Opinions on this Block Stamp
 

Thanks Dennis, learn something every day. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif
Rick

Re: Opinions on this Block Stamp
 

Did they stop including the chrome valve covers etc. too? .

~ Pete

Re: Opinions on this Block Stamp
 

Going strictly from memory, Don's second picture looks correct for a '68. One of our local guys had a white '68 Malibu L-79 4 speed car. I was surprised when I finally got a peek under the hood. I was expecting the Alum. intake, a Holley and the Chrome accessories like I had seen on the '65 Chevelles and the '66 & 7 Novas. Still, a pretty stout small block.

Who's our L-79 expert? Jeff Latondress, where are you? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/wink.gif

Re: Opinions on this Block Stamp
 

I think all 350hp were hyd. cams not solid lifers. The 375 was a solid cam.

Re: Opinions on this Block Stamp
 

Here is a org air cleaner from a 68 l-79 Chevelle

Re: Opinions on this Block Stamp
 

Another pic showing the 325 hp

Re: Opinions on this Block Stamp
 

That air cleaner top lid looks like a repop.

Re: Opinions on this Block Stamp
 

Larry Davidson used to do the GM of Canada documentation work before retiring. Back in '68 he had a '68 L79 Chevelle. It was quicker than a friend's L34 Chevelle. The Q'jet and cast iron intake didn't seem to hinder things at all. That breather lid is a repro with the wide flange around the edge of the lid. The originals had a rolled edge.

Re: Opinions on this Block Stamp
 

Interesting information being tossed around here guys.

Any opinions on the original question?

Re: Opinions on this Block Stamp
 

I am by no means an expert, but I think the stamp looks good. Like someone said, you really need to get the paint off of it to see broach marks and check for signs of resurfacing. See if you can get Kurt S. or Mark C. to look at it. They have looked at a bunch of late 60's engine stamps.

Looking closely at the engine pic, it looks like it has 186 heads, which could be correct if this is built last week of July 1968. It wouldn't be the only late 68 engine to get the 69 style heads with accessory bolt holes.

Lynn Bilodeau

Re: Opinions on this Block Stamp
 

Thanks for your input Lynn https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: Opinions on this Block Stamp
 

Don, They are very fast cars. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif

Re: Opinions on this Block Stamp
 

Ya Kim, that's what the proposed purchaser is hoping https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/burnout.gif