67 Corvette L88 engine

[Rixls6]

Some of the stampings on the heads could be from a rebuilder. I also think that some of them may be from original assembly at the Tonowanda plant, but I really don't know.
The heads appear to have been rebuilt once, or at least shaved once. The block is still standard bore, and doesn't appear to have been redone ever.
I'd be surprised if an engine rebuilder would put that many stamps on each head on a rebuild.
I'm trying to trace the history of the engine to determine how much has been done to it.

[Verne_Frantz]

There's no VIN on the deck, so it's a service assembly. Worth BIG money to a Vette guy with a hammer (and all the docs he can buy).................

[427king]

I believe the triangle stamp on the end of one head meant that that particular head came on a motor assembly and was not bought over the counter in boxes .For some reason the 392 heads but not 842s followed this rule.At least that theory has held true for 4 or 5 motors that i have that were known original assemblys[1 real L88, 1 real L89, and 3 OTC assemblies that were never taken apart.that is a good pool of engines i believe based on production of L88s at 20 and L89s at 16]],you dont usually find unassemebled 67 L88 or L89s with known factory installed heads anymore so finding any more examples is very difficult. I also have 3 sets of NOS 1967 392s and none have the triangle,which may further serve as proof.

[Rixls6]

Thanks for the responses.
I would hope that if anyone were to use this engine in a "Real" 67 L88 Vette, they would leave the stamp pad alone and just use it as is and be happy to find a correct replacement engine.
At least it would be better than a "CE", right?

King, thanks for letting me know about the other "392"s you have had with the "triangle" stamp.
I didn't post a picture of the other head stamp that is on the valve cover rail. It is similar to the triangle one on the end of the head. That all helps me believe that these heads are the originals to this engine.
I'll post some pics of the other head stamping.
Rick

[Hotrodpaul]

These low mile 842 3/69 and 5/69 dated L89 heads have very similar stamps. I always wondered what the H C and triangle stamps meant.



Paul

[Rixls6]

Paul,
Ok, so now there's more matching stamps to what there is on my heads.




Those two pics are of the opposite side of both heads showing "A" and "HC". I wonder if the HC has anything to do with the "H" slot rocker arms or does it designate High Compression? The next photos here show one shot of the intake side of the head with another "H", and the other shows what I think is a "D" on the exhaust side of the head.




I appreciate any info that others may have about this.
Rick

[TimG]

Rick,

We spoke at Mecum and you showed me the tracing of your L88 pad. Now that I've also seen a picture of the pad, I'm sure you've got the real deal. As we discussed, your engine is probably very valuable to someone with a late '67 L88 without the original engine. Of the 20 factory L88's built, there may be only five or so built after 06-01-67 that would qualify for your block. One owner I know purchased an over the counter long block like yours that was correctly dated for his car and decided not to hammer the ID number on it, he left the original Tonawanda stamp only on the pad. The car has become quite well known and valuable. Your engine would also be valuable to someone with an original Nicky or Motion car that wants a correct vintage L88.

[Rixls6]

Tim,
I'm still wondering if this engine wasn't originally "Dealer installed" into a 67 Chevelle that was from the Chicago area.

I got a Muncie trans with the engine that has a 67 Chevelle partial VIN on it. I know that's a long shot, but I do have some ability to trace this back and am working on it.
I sent you an e-mail regarding your local friend.

Rick