installing L89 heads at dealer, 68 camaro

**black69** · #1 10-09-2008, 07:55 AM

is it possible that a 68 l89 camaro would have had its heads installed at a dealer? my guess is no. maybe the original dealer could not get an L89 in the exact color this guy wanted and did an over the counter installation? did anyone hear of things similar to this on a 68?

**92646** · #2 10-09-2008, 08:13 AM

I have heard of the opposite where people took the aluminum heads off of their cars and installed cast iron heads. Look at all of the welded up aluminum 842 and 074 heads out there.
Mark Sheppard

**black69** · #3 10-09-2008, 08:33 AM

in any case the block should have the l89 code with no exceptions? to be considered a real L89 car?

**Kurt S** · #4 10-09-2008, 10:03 PM

Correct.

Keith Tedford · #5 10-09-2008, 10:58 PM

Even with the few L89 cars that were built I heard early on stories about the rocker stud bosses breaking off and valve seats falling out, especially in race situations with heavy spring pressure. As far as installing aluminum heads, dealers would install whatever you wanted if you were paying. It wouldn't be considered a true factory L89 car though. Probably voided the 5-50 warranty.

**olredalert** · #6 10-10-2008, 05:37 PM

-----I went to a Chevy dealer in Columbus Oh. in 1968 to see a black 1969 L89 convert that had been delivered from St.Louis the week before. The salesman neglected to tell me that the car was in the service department awaiting a new short-block and one new head. A seat had fallen out on start-up as the Vette was coming off the truck. Believe it or not he still wanted me to buy it but that was the last L89 I persued. I ended up with a non-L89, 435 riverside gold coupe from Ed Stinn in Cleveland. The funny part,,,,that 435 froze a wrist-pin and at about 1200 miles it had to have a new short-block........Bill S

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