LS-7 Crate Engine

[Yellow 69 z28]

Does anyone know what years did the LS-7 crate motors run from - to? How about L-88's? Would GM have used a 14015445? Does anyone know what the GM part number would of been for either the LS-7 or L-88? Would the short blocks have been painted?

Found a brand new GM short block with pistons having a casting number "3947886 GM" stamped on the top. The block is not painted or stamped but has unusual multi-color paint markings all over on the block, crank, and rotating assembly. There is a cam present, but I have not pulled it yet to view the p/n. I also need to look at the crank p/n.

Just curious. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[68z302]

Can't tell you about your engine. but looking at it makes me drool! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[70judge]

hi I think they made the l s 7 from 1971 to 1973. my l s 7 heads had a 71 and a 72 casting numbers. my head were 990 124 cc chambered not 119 chambered also my lower end had a nitrated crank dimpeled rods and forged domed pistons. and a 4 bolt main. It had every high perf. part gm had made at that time.

[PxTx]

Are you sure you that engine is an LS7? If you look in the lower right hand corner you can see it indicating its a 4/27 http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

[Astock]

It's a LS7.Check the casting date on the block and 990's.I bet it's around mid 80's.There should be a off road use only tag if you took it out of the crate.I bought a couple of the last L-88's in 1980 and the blocks were 289 castings 454 blocks dated 1973.

[Yellow 69 z28]

The casting looks like a 1978 but I am going to check further. There are three sets of heads, 1st set are 3946074's with "9.7.71" and "1.3.69". and 2nd are 14096188's with "F130" and "G090" and last is a set of 6272990's with "B-26-74" and "C-1-74". The 074's and the 990's are assembled and the 188's are bare. The 074's have been used but briefly. Here's the casting date on the block.

I have a feeling that this motor will rock!

My next quest would be pull the cam and check the number and I may have to check the crank.

Can somebody PM me with a esitmated value?

[Yellow 69 z28]

Here is the piston casting. Someone has said it could be a ZL-1 casting number.

[GM-26]

In 1988, I went to my local Chevrolet dealership to purchase either a LS-6 or LS-7 "crate motor". They were both available. The LS-6 was $2,800.00 and the LS-7 was $2,400.00. I chose the LS-6, due to the lower compression ratio. The LS-6 carried GM Part #366250 and had a engine suffix of "XAA" and the LS-7 was GM Part# 3965774 and had a engine suffix of "XCH". My driver's valve cover had a sticker on it that read "XAA". Hope this information helps you out. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[ZL1mike]

I have a set of std ZL1 GM pistons and the number on them are GM 3981890.

Mike

[427TJ]

Yeah, my buddy bought a crate LS-7 in 1988. The 396 in his '67 Camaro SS spun a main so he went down to the Chevy dealer in Alameda (CA) and laid down a couple grand for a new LS-7. He too had the choice of -6 or -7 as there were about 10 crate motors lined up along the wall of the service area. I was very envious. It's still in the car, 12.5 pistons and all. Nothing sounds quite as rumpy as an LS-7 at idle. The unburned gas fumes coming out the tailpipes could kill an army.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Yellow 69 z28]

This Crate Engine turns out to be an L-88 427 assembly with all the correct P/N including the correct cam and crank. Thanks to all who PM'd and emailed me with the correct information about this assembly.

I will be listing this engine for sale.

NOS L88 Short Block Crate Assembly (http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=82647&page=0&view=collaps ed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1)

[RichSchmidt]

I just sold the exact same engine on Ebay last year.I am from Jersey too,and a local racer that I buy parts from had a complete unassembled 427L88 crate motor and a pair of 074 heads that he ran on his race car back in 1969 for about 2 races.He got the stuff from the estate of a street rod guy who died a few years back.I believe the guys name was Wayne.My friend Joe ended up with a ton of stuff including a weird chevy Hemi engine and about 150 vintage intake manifolds from back in the year of the flood.He still has some stuff.We sold the long block on Ebay,it was all new short block stuff and the buyer had his pick of a slew of date coded brand new blocks that could be had from any year.We got $4500 for the whole deal.A guy from Washington state flew into New Jersey and looked over the stuff and helped my friend pack it up and they loaded it onto a truck before the buyer hopped a plane back home.Joe had a handfull of 512 and 289 blocks,and still has some stuff laying around but it is mostly later blocks like from 73 and up.Joe also found the engine he used to set the B/MP record with back in 1972 among all the stuff in this guy's estate.It turns out this guy bought the new L88 along with the race motor from my friend way back then and kept it all these years.I wonder if all this stuf came from the same place.

[Yellow 69 z28]

Rich, Not sure but when I bought this Race Car a couple of years ago,

Super Stock Camaro (http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=racing&Number=25039&Forum= All_Forums&Words=&Searchpage=0&Limit=50&Main=25039 &Search=true&where=bodysub&Name=783&daterange=0&ne werval=&newertype=&olderval=&oldertype=&bodyprev=# Post25039)

it came with a lot of eveything from long blocks, heads, tranmissions, gears, to NOS parts. I have to make some room in my garage, so I am selling the parts I will not be using to put that car back together (Day 2). This was the most interesting piece of the bunch that was ordered through Chevrolet.

[Yellow 69 z28]

Does anyone know a Corvette Specialist by the name of Ed Witwer or Witmier (Spelling) located in California who specializes in L-88 Corvettes. I am trying to contact via Email or phone.

Thank you in advance.

[olredalert]

------I know of Ed and he is located in or near Santa Barbara. With that said I dont think he is an L88 expert in particular. He has been doing general Corvette repair for years and years though. Im not sure how to get hold of him. Maybe Charlie knows? I think maybe I also can make a call and get his no. Will try to do that today.........Bill S

[Yellow 69 z28]

Thanks Bill and all who responded,

I recv'd an email and a PM last night with Ed's info.

Rich

[firstgenaddict]

Was it ever confirmed whether or not your car was a COPO?
I was reading the old thread and thought it was interesting that it had a BE rear, curved neck radiator, cowl hood etc yet the VIN did not corespond with the COPO list.