Have been offered an original 69 L78 motor....
 

If you missed my last post, it was regarding doing up an L34 engine for my 69 Chevelle.

Well, thanks to the wonders of the internet, I am in discussions for a possible trade for my 454 vs. a 1969 L78.

Here is what I know so far

Block casting: 395527
Block Date: D 2 9
Deck: T0407JH
840 heads (C 27 9 & C 26 9)
163 intake

*original bore, forged slugs, dimpled rods, forged crank https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/shocked.gif

had new bearings and rings installed in 1990 and has been driven sparingly since.

Any thoughts? Any questions you think I ned to ask?

Man, just when I though I was going L34 / M20 it may look like L78/M22....the horror!

Re: Have been offered an original 69 L78 motor....
 

Are there any other goodies that go with this L78 motor?
Like a "499" distributor, or a dated water pump, starter motor, original chrome valve covers, dated exhaust manifolds, etc., etc.????

Re: Have been offered an original 69 L78 motor....
 

I'll be discussing all of the finer details today and let you know. I sure hope so though!

Re: Have been offered an original 69 L78 motor....
 

Chris,
Don't forget to ask about the 5 blade fan and the 4346 carb.

Re: Have been offered an original 69 L78 motor....
 

O.k. so here are some more of the details.....

Non original stuff:
- Cam
- Water pump
- Fan
- Carb
- Distributor
- manifolds
- Carb (does have a 3310 780 on it though)
- oil pan

Other notables:
- 163 intake has had plenum divider cut down. Date code is not verified.
- Heads are unported and stock.

Do you think this is a worthwhile trade for my 600hp 454?

His L78 has roughly 5k miles and does not burn any oil, never raced etc...

What I would do to it is:

- Add manifolds
- Crane blueprint L78 cam
- Use my valve covers, deep groove L78 pulleys.

thoughts / comments welcome...

Re: Have been offered an original 69 L78 motor....
 

I think you are gonna miss those 11.30's.

Re: Have been offered an original 69 L78 motor....
 

[ QUOTE ]
I think you are gonna miss those 11.30's.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree. Just "dress up" your current motor to L78 specs

Re: Have been offered an original 69 L78 motor....
 

Well, since the body job, I am retiring it from racing on slicks and truth be told would really only consider running it on bias plys from here on in. Realistically though, I would doubt I do this more than once a year if even at all.

Thanks for the feedback.

Re: Have been offered an original 69 L78 motor....
 

It sounds like the L-78 is about a $5-6000 engine maybe a little more. Is your current 454 worth that?
James

Re: Have been offered an original 69 L78 motor....
 

[ QUOTE ]
It sounds like the L-78 is about a $5-6000 engine maybe a little more. Is your current 454 worth that?
James

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes. I was looking to get 6k for it.

Re: Have been offered an original 69 L78 motor....
 

I know this might sound stupid but isnt JH a camaro code? If i was doing an L78 conversion on my car I would want the correct JD code. Just a thought. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: Have been offered an original 69 L78 motor....
 

I would opt for the devil you know. Also do you currently have hydraulic lifters? You'll need to adjust those solids once in a while..

JM .02

Re: Have been offered an original 69 L78 motor....
 

How about the 837 Alt.

Re: Have been offered an original 69 L78 motor....
 

[ QUOTE ]
I would opt for the devil you know. Also do you currently have hydraulic lifters? You'll need to adjust those solids once in a while..

JM .02

[/ QUOTE ]

You are probably right. No, my current stick is solid and «i adjust it once a year, no biggie.

Thanks All.

Happy Canada day weekend to the canucks

Re: Have been offered an original 69 L78 motor....
 

You don't have to adjust mechanical lifters all the time if you have a good set of polylocks. If you don't and have tapered nuts, then you usually have to adjust them regularly

Re: Have been offered an original 69 L78 motor....
 

Sounds like that swap might help both of you out to accomplish your goals with minimal added cost. It would be cool to have a correct L78 motor in the car and make it more driveable for you. The missing correct L78 parts might be the main thing to determining value even if you have no plans of selling it.

Re: Have been offered an original 69 L78 motor....
 

Thanks again all.

Re: Have been offered an original 69 L78 motor....
 

Chris,
Any partial vin on that JH block?

Re: Have been offered an original 69 L78 motor....
 

[ QUOTE ]
Chris,
Any partial vin on that JH block?

[/ QUOTE ]

here you are

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...2007200261.jpg

Re: Have been offered an original 69 L78 motor....
 

Neat Find! I wonder if the Nova that it came out of still lives.