Help on this 76 engine

[Joseph T.]

Okay..so I bought a 76 with my eyes closed..and Not having concentrated on this year need some help..from you 76 experts!

Below is a picture of the engine compartment.

Are these valve covers what was correct for L48 or L82..any other observations!Stamp pad seems to be original and correct..car is red red..but have been informed the trim tag calls for White / Red and engine suffix calls for L48.Also...checking engine pictures shown on cars for sale on ebay..I see 76's for sale that have the older long AC compressor like this one and others with the more modern flat short compressor.

Is there a story there or a timeline for usage..just curious.

Tell me what you see..it will not hurt my feelings.

Thanks!

Joe

[Donald M.]

Re: Help on this 76 engine

Joe, I'm certainly no expert on 1976 Corvettes, but since I can remember them when they were new, I'll venture some info for you.
The valve covers look like L-82 covers. That was a popular owner add-on during that time. If engine is an L-48, it should have painted covers. The AC compressor is what is called an "axial" design and it is possible a running change to the more modern "radial" type compressor took place. I'm not sure, however.

[Harmon C.]

Re: Help on this 76 engine

Joe
Early 76's had the A-6 with the yellow label as an A/C compressor. If original a set of numbers 092051 on the label= Sept.20th 1975 has been observed on a 76.Later in 76 an R-4 was used so it was a change that year.

If the fifth digit of your VIN is an L you have a L-48 if it is X it is an L-82. The covers you have are L-82 and an L-48 are steel painted.
Lyle

[Joe L.]

Re: Help on this 76 engine

Joe------

The valve covers are 1978-82 style covers. This style was used on 1978-80 L-82-equipped Corvettes and all 81-82 Corvettes. While all of the 78-82 cast valve covers look just about the same, the 78-80 were originally cast of aluminum and the 81-82 were cast of magnesium. I don't know which these are.

You need to convert to stamped steel valve covers if you want to return the engine to originality. These covers are not too difficult to find as they were used for other Chevrolet applications during the 1976 model year.

Most 1976 Corvettes originally used the axial compressor as is seen in the picture. Some may have used the radial compressor, but certainly not the majority of C-60-equipped cars for that model year.

Generally, the engine compartment looks to be fairly original. So, most of what you need is already there if your goal is restoration.

[Joseph T.]

Re: Help on this 76 engine

Don, Lyle & Joe..

Thanks for the input on the 76 engine.It will make for a fun project. Joe..I wonder if there is a part number on the valve covers that would indicate if they are aluminum or magnesium..or is their another way to tell?

Should there be a tank sticker?

[Joe L.]

Re: Help on this 76 engine

Joe-----

There are part numbers on the underside of the valve covers. However, there are usually multiple numbers. Next to some of them it will say "magnesium". Next to others it will say nothing about material (these were the aluminum ones) or it will actually say "aluminum". This is because the same molds were used for both types. So, it still leaves things "up-in-the-air" as far as what the particular ones that you're looking at are cast of.

Generally, the magnesium covers have a little different coloration seen on the exposed metal areas. For example, the natural metal on the tops of the fins appears a little yellowish for magnesium covers and more silverish without a yellow cast on th aluminum ones. It's hard to describe and oxidation can "mask" it over time.

The car originally had a tank sticker/build sheet.

[Tom R.]

Re: 76 Emission Certification & Equipment

I'm gonna venture a guess and state that its an L48 automatic tranny car...no A.I.R. pump equipment...of course it could have been removed. All 75-77s were equipped with A.I.R. except the L48s with M40. But everything else looks pretty stock except the blue HEI distributor cap.

Also, if the emission sticker is in place (driver's side above power brake booster), it will list a code as well as a description of the emission equipment installed to comply with federal emission regs. Cross referencing the emission certification (sticker) with the engine suffix code, will dial in the extent to which the motor is correct for the car. IF its an L48 M40...the emission code will be "XX" unless its a California delivered Corvette in which case the code is either "YZ" or "ZD" in which case the A.I.R. was removed.

Let us know what you find!.

[Joseph T.]

Re: 76 Emission Certification & Equipment

Bought the car out of town and have not brought it home yet..but snapped a few pictures before leaving.

Below is the emission sticker in place..a little fuzzy but maybe you can see something.Looks like XX or maybe LX..or IX

At least it is in place for verification later.

Joe

[Joseph T.]

Re: 76 Emission Certification & Equipment

Tom

Below is the pad..of the 76 engine..the shot does not clearly show the vin..but am pretty sure it matches the vin plate on the window pillar. I would guess the tank sticker is probably in place and will check that later. The car does have an automatic transmission in place.

I was told the owner had the engine rebuilt. Maybe that is when they changed the valve covers.

Tired but neat old car!

Presently red / red..but am told the trim tag calls for White / Red

Trim 712
10L Paint
F30

[Joseph T.]

Re: 76 Emission Certification & Equipment

Whoops..posted the picture in response to the wrong post!Duh.

Joe

[Tom R.]

Re: In summary...

looks like you've got a 76 L48 with M40 with late model C3 valve covers which could have been L48 or L82 depending on model year (78-82)!

[Bob B.]

Re: In summary...

Also missing the one piece chrome top cover over the distributor.