Marine L-88 Engine w/ Cast Iron Heads
 

I picked up an engine yesterday and thought I would share. It is a complete L-88 engine that was built by GM with cast iron heads. The cast head L88 is a subject I have always been interested in. I have seen a few pop up over the years and mos message boards seem to dismiss the engines as being home built or L71/L72 engines with a 3933198 intake added.

This engine was removed from a 1969 speedboat and was the original engine to the boat. It was running 2 days ago. The suffix code is 7BL. I have seen this suffix before and always wondered what it was. The engine has the correct 3933198 intake, 840 heads, heavy duty AC fuel pump, 7/16 dimple rods, and the 7115 steel crank.

Re: Marine L-88 Engine w/ Cast Iron Heads
 

Here is the engine as it was pulled. The carb is a 3246 service dated Holley. I have seen 3246 carbs on most marine 427s. The pulleys are GM units but are not deep groove.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...lete1Small.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...lete2Small.jpg

Re: Marine L-88 Engine w/ Cast Iron Heads
 

The block is a 3963512 casting with a casting date of B 5 9.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...umberSmall.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...gDateSmall.jpg

The heads are both 3919840 with casting dates of A209 and C139.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...stingSmall.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...Date1Small.jpg


http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...Date2Small.jpg

Re: Marine L-88 Engine w/ Cast Iron Heads
 

The front pad is stamped TO3177BL. The 7BL suffix must mean closed chamber L-88 with cast iron heads.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...uffixSmall.jpg

The 3933198 intake is dated 9.18.68. I believe the 198 intakes were only made in certain runs. I don't think I have ever seen a casting date from October 68-Feb 69 unless the 198 was hand stamped.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...ntakeSmall.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...eDateSmall.jpg

Re: Marine L-88 Engine w/ Cast Iron Heads
 

Factory high lift rockers are still intact.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...ockerSmall.jpg

L88 pushrods still there

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...alleySmall.jpg

Re: Marine L-88 Engine w/ Cast Iron Heads
 

Cool original fuel pump

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...lPumpSmall.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...pDateSmall.jpg

Re: Marine L-88 Engine w/ Cast Iron Heads
 

Pulling the pan was exciting. No denying this is a L-88

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...emblySmall.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...eRodsSmall.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...CrankSmall.jpg

Re: Marine L-88 Engine w/ Cast Iron Heads
 

I decided not to pull the heads since the engine runs great and I can see it is standard bore due to the TRW pistons having GM and the part number on the undersides.

Re: Marine L-88 Engine w/ Cast Iron Heads
 

neat find. im really surprisd at the carb. most OE marine carbs have 180 degree vents. having worked at a boat dealer ive never seen one like that factory.

we had at least 4 early 70's BB chevys and fords and the carbs all looked like this

http://www.michiganmotorz.com/images...4150_LG001.jpg

Re: Marine L-88 Engine w/ Cast Iron Heads
 

----Since the carb is service dated I would guess that the owner or mechanic bought an automotive carb when the boat carb went bad. It was probably cost effective at the time, but not too safe......Bill S