67 Corvette L88 engine

[Rixls6]

I'd like to get opinions on an engine I recently bought. It has a stamped code of T0609IT, casting number 3904351, dated E-5-7.
It came with 3904392 Aluminum heads dated 2-16-67 and 3-3-67 and they have several other stampings on them.http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/Rixls6/th_67CorvetteL88enginenumbers032.jpg (http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/Rixls6/67CorvetteL88enginenumbers032.jpg)
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/Rixls6/th_67CorvetteL88enginenumbers031.jpg (http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/Rixls6/67CorvetteL88enginenumbers031.jpg)
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/Rixls6/th_67CorvetteL88enginenumbers026.jpg (http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/Rixls6/67CorvetteL88enginenumbers026.jpg)
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/Rixls6/th_67CorvetteL88enginenumbers025.jpg (http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/Rixls6/67CorvetteL88enginenumbers025.jpg)

Does the engine code look like an original, and do any of the extra stampings on the heads mean anything? (See Pics)

This all came out of a 72 RS camaro from the Chicago area that had been sitting with this engine in it since 1986, and was purchased that way in 1984.
Anybody hear about this car years ago?http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/Rixls6/th_67CorvetteL88enginenumbers023.jpg (http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/Rixls6/67CorvetteL88enginenumbers023.jpg)
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/Rixls6/th_67CorvetteL88enginenumbers022.jpg (http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/Rixls6/67CorvetteL88enginenumbers022.jpg)
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/Rixls6/th_67CorvetteL88enginenumbers020.jpg (http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/Rixls6/67CorvetteL88enginenumbers020.jpg)
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/Rixls6/th_67CorvetteL88enginenumbers012.jpg (http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/Rixls6/67CorvetteL88enginenumbers012.jpg)
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/Rixls6/th_67CorvetteL88enginenumbers009.jpg (http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/Rixls6/67CorvetteL88enginenumbers009.jpg)
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/Rixls6/th_67CorvetteL88enginenumbers007.jpg (http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/Rixls6/67CorvetteL88enginenumbers007.jpg)

[Rixls6]

Sorry about the messy looking post. I just wanted to get all the thumbnails on at one time.

Rick

[Rixls6]

No opinions on the engine pad stamp? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif Any thoughts abouts the "extra" stampings on the alumium heads? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[scuncio]

I'm not a stamp expert so I'll defer that question. I did have a 67 dated pair of 392 heads a few years ago that I do not remember having those type of stamps. Wish I could be more helpful; looks like a super cool find, though.

[nuch_ss396]

I remember that shops used to put identifying stamp marks
on the heads they rebuilt. I wonder if that explains these
marks.

[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. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif
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. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I'd be surprised if an engine rebuilder would put that many stamps on each head on a rebuild. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hmmm.gif
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)................. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

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

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y86/Hotrodpaul86/DSCN3645.jpg

Paul

[Rixls6]

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

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/Rixls6/th_67L88cylinderheadstampings009.jpg (http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/Rixls6/67L88cylinderheadstampings009.jpg)
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/Rixls6/th_67L88cylinderheadstampings006.jpg (http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/Rixls6/67L88cylinderheadstampings006.jpg)

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.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/Rixls6/th_67L88cylinderheadstampings003.jpg (http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/Rixls6/67L88cylinderheadstampings003.jpg)
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/Rixls6/th_67L88cylinderheadstampings013.jpg (http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/Rixls6/67L88cylinderheadstampings013.jpg)

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. http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/Rixls6/drool5.gif

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

[TimG]

Rick, thanks. We know for sure somone was tearing up the streets of Chicago with an L88 powered vehicle........

[PeteLeathersac]

Of all the suffixes to find on an iron motor, this is truly an amazing find...the only thing that 'may have' been better is if there was a 'Vette Vin on it? .
I wonder how many times Tonawanda built these suffix motors and if other known engines have the same 0609 build? .
Is it known or does perhaps Fran Preve have a number of how many engines produced w/ this suffix? .
I like the thought of the Chevelle possibility...good luck tracking this Vin! .
Either way I'd expect this would be a most valuable piece to the 'Vette guys especially for one of the 20 '67 cars. . Even a '68-'69 L88 guy may be happy to have this if their orig. engine is missing as they may have ended up w/ one if they had've ordered one as a replacement back in the day? .
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
~ Pete

[Rixls6]

I had a guy (Drew Papsun) tell me that he has records that show 277 '67 L88 engines were built. I would suspect a large number of those have blown up after they were bought OTC for racing.
This is definitely a neat piece of Chevrolet High Performance history.
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

Rick

[69L72RS]

Drew's archives are very accurate and detailed.
He has quite an extensive collection of all types of production data.

Eric

[PeteLeathersac]

Wow...277 w/ the IT Suffix sounds very high...but who knows? .

There's lots of cases where the recorded figures have to be wrong...some vehicle RPO production is even higher than engine Suffix production...aren't '69 L78's this way? .

What year did CE Suffix motors start...wasn't it X something Suffixes for warranty and counter purchases before that? .
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
~ Pete

[Verne_Frantz]

Pete,
I can verify that the "X" suffix was used on warrantee replacements through '64. Don't know about later. At least that might narrow it down a bit. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Verne

[PeteLeathersac]

Thanks Verne! .

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif
~ Pete