L88 Block Question

[Als 70 L78 Nova]

Is J169 casting date on a 3963512 block and T1017ME build stamp too late in 1969 to be a real L88?

Thanks,
Al

[Fast67VelleN2O]

Corvettes were built until December of 1969 so its possible.

[Als 70 L78 Nova]

Is it also possible to have the assembly date but no vin number on the pad?

[luzl78]

Might be by the oil filter

[SBR]

A J169 casting date is not too late for a 69 L88 corvette. They were built until December of 69. If there is no vin stamp on the pad then my guess is that the block was an over the counter unit. I would still be interested in seeing the assembly stamping if its not too much trouble because I have never seen an ME code for an L88. I thought that was the code for a ZL1.

[Ls6 Ragtop]

I had an ME coded big block a few years back and it was a ZL1. Block was an 052 casting assembly dated T0528ME. I was told Chevrolet built quite a few ME coded ZL1's for service use. Casting date was March of 69. I'd be interested in seeing a picture of this 512 block's stamping as I have never heard of a iron block coded as such.

[Als 70 L78 Nova]

This is the best I can do for now. Thoughts??

[Lynn]

I have a 1017 dated L46 engine from a 69 Corvette, so it definitely isn't too late. AND, my engine has no VIN on it either. Not on the deck, not by the starter. Perhaps they were just a bit sloppy during that time frame.

Colvin's book lists the ME as being an "L88 engine" but states "ZL1 Perf. Package (L88 Engine)"

Confusing.

Below he lists the COPO as "Details Unknown". I am assuming the COPO is a reference to the ZL1. Wasn't L88 a RPO? Surely they wouldn't use the same code for an aluminum block ZL1 as for the iron block L88.

[Schonyenko2]

Is it possible this was a ZL-X crate motor?