1968 L88 cars

[L88]

Hi, sorry about not replying right away. I don't know what happened to the original car, I bought the short block about 5 years ago and have slowly rounded up all of the correct dated parts to complete it. I pretty much have everything. There is no serial number that I could find on the front of the block (right in front of the head)or at the rear of the block. Maybe Chevy forgot to stamp it. The block is stamped with T0629IT (IT standing for L88). The block casting number is 3935439 with a date of E38. It is a 4 bolt main (and was originally because it has the bigger holes by the oil pump) and has high perf cast into the block as well. Any help is appreciated.

[Pantera]

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(and was originally because it has the bigger holes by the oil pump)

[/ QUOTE ]

Do you mean that there are two large pipe plugs in the block just above the oil filter mounting pad?

Also usually if there was not a Vin on the block then it may not be a original motor that came in a car but a over the counter replacment.

[L88]

I've got the Corvette by the numbers book. And in the engine block section they talk about 3 exterior holes above the oil filter boss. There saying that the 2 bolt main blocks front hole is 5/16", the center hole is drilled and tapped with 3/8" pipe thread, and the rear hole is 1/2" coarse thread. On a 4 bolt main block the front hole is 3/8" pipe thread, the center is 1/2" pipe thread, and the rear is 1/2" coarse thread. Thats what I meant when I said I had the bigger holes.

[L88]

If my block is a over the counter replacement, would it also be possible that this engine was originally in a Nickey, Baldwin Motion, Dick Harrell, etc ,camaro or nova?

[Pantera]

Anything is possable but highly unlikly. What you need is some kind of writen proof or something special that you can link it to as proof.

I hate to have to tell you but what you are describing is a very common usage of these motors in the Hot Rod world back then. Anybody with the extra $$$$ could buy one of these over the counter. They were put in Vett's, Camaros and Novas and just about anything else, that someone wanted to go fast. Lots to boat guys bought them also. With out a vin to a known car the likely hood of it being a speciality motor like you are asking about, is very slim to none.


Please don't let me or anyone discourage you. The guys on this site are more than willing to jump in a help you document something. Look on the bright side you still have a neat motor and you can always find something worth putting it in.

Good luck

Pantera

[dkatap]

Did the original 68 L88 cars have 427 badging on the fenders? Are there any other details to look for?
Thanks, Dennis

[Pantera]

You could spot them by the bubble hood that was different from all the other 427ci motors.

here is what one looks like on my car.

[hvychev]

Larry do you have a REAL documented L88 Vette?