VIN# 1Z37 L7S4 31394 -- 77 Vette ???

**Mike Engler** · February 1, 2002, 12:07 AM

Re: VIN# 1Z37 L7S4 31394 -- 77 Vette ???

I forgot to mention that it's got t-tops, and has the L-82 Engine Emblems on the hood. The glass window in the back has the rear defogger option. It's got the old A/C pump on it. (the stubby fat design as opposed to the thinner longer newer pumps) ... Just in case that info helps ..

**Duke W.** · February 1, 2002, 12:27 AM

Re: VIN# 1Z37 L7S4 31394 -- 77 Vette ???

1 = Chevrolet

Z37 = Corvette (Z) coupe (37)

L = base engine

7 = 1977 model year

S = St. Louis plant

The last six digits are the sequence number, and it usually begins with 100001, so the "4" leave me confused.

Duke

**Duke W.** · February 1, 2002, 12:33 AM

PS

Base engine with the automatic was only available with a 3.08 axle, which should yield about 2350 revs at 60. Sounds like the diff. was changed, and I'd suspect the engine has some modifications, too. Installing the L-82 cam in a L-48 got you about 90 percent of the power delta. You should be able to tell from the idle quality.

Duke

**Mike Engler** · February 1, 2002, 01:00 AM

Re: VIN# 1Z37 L7S4 31394 -- 77 Vette ???

Thanks Duke,

If the engine is the 'base' model, that would mean it's supposed to be the L-48 not the L-82, right?

**Craig S.** · February 1, 2002, 01:00 AM

Re: VIN# 1Z37 L7S4 31394 -- 77 Vette ???

Duke - in my latest copy of the black book, the eigth digit was changed from 1 to 5 in 1972, and to 4 from 73 through 81. Interestingly, the 77 service manual I still have which I bought in 77 shows the eigth digit as 0 or 1 as the start of the sequence number. I have a 74, it is an L82 1Z37T4S406823, and the 77 I used to own was 1Z37L7S441367. Both have the 8th digit being a 4. Mike, someone just put the L82 emblems on your hood in all probability. If your car was a factory L82, the fifth digit would be X versus L. Also, your engine suffix codes are as follows: CHD - 350ci, 180HP, AT, calif emissions. CKD - 350ci, 180HP, high altitude. CKZ - 350ci, 180HP, manual transmission. CLA - 350ci, 180HP, automatic transmisson. I think there is an error in the black book on two of the next four suffix codes, as, I believe they should be the L82 210HP suffix codes to match the same combinations above, in all cases. However, the first 2 codes duplicate combinations stated in CHD and CKD above. They list: CLB - 350ci, 180HP, AT, high altitude (I think this should be 210HP vs 180). ClC - 350ci, 180 HP, AT, calif emissions (again, I think this should be 210HP). Then the next two suffix codes are probably correct, they are: CLD - 350ci, 210HP, manual transmission, and CLF - 350ci, 210hp, automatic transmission. The 77 I had was the base L48, with a turbo 400 and was indeed CLA. Your A/C compressor is correct, it is the radial R4 design, versus the Frigidaire Axial 6 cyl design. The long narrow you mention were the older style, not the newer, Unless some of the post 82 GM compressors have gone to a thin narrow design again....Craig

**Duke W.** · February 1, 2002, 01:04 AM

Correct! *NM*

**Mike Engler** · February 1, 2002, 01:22 AM

Re: PS

Thanks again Duke...

To tell you the truth, the more I learn about this car, the more I think I'm wasting my money, and time on restoring this car...

I'm not surprised the gears have been changed .. When I bought the car, the stock carb was replaced with a holley 600cfm. The original throttle cable mounting bracket was cut and held into place by one of the holley's 4 mounting nuts...
The original air cleaner was long gone, replaced by a 16inch crome edelbrock open air filter, and aluminum intake. To accomidate the oversized air filter, the previous owner, used tin snips, and cut out a chunk of the distributor chrome cover, and also trashed the chrome distributor wire covers.
Stock exhaust manifolds were dumped and replaced with a fairly good quality set of headers, and dual exhaust was installed with no equalizing crossover pipe. Add into the mix, mismatched castings of cylinder heads, and a tranny pan full of stinky brown fluid, laden with metal shavings .. .. and you have the nightmare that is my baby...

I fell in love with her at first sight. I was 19yrs old, $6000 cdn... What can I say, I'm a sucker for hard luck cases...

**Mike Engler** · February 1, 2002, 02:04 AM

Re: VIN# 1Z37 L7S4 31394 -- 77 Vette ???

Thanks Craig and Duke .. I think :-)

Well, I suspected, and now I know. I think the best thing I can do now, is get it back into running order and enjoy it like I used to...without worrying about it's value... just worrying about how fast I could corner, or how long my tires would last in a driving season... :-)

I have yet to make it home to get the engine, tranny, diff codes... I am still curious as to how much stock equipment is left on this car ...

If one were to find a bright side, I suppose it would be the a/c compressor !! HAHA :-) BTW: I figured the long narrow compressors were the 'newer' kind,because of a picture of Eckler's 68-82 'replacement' compressor in their catalogs...

Thanks Again,
Mike Engler

**Craig S.** · February 1, 2002, 02:20 AM

Re: VIN# 1Z37 L7S4 31394 -- 77 Vette ???

Mike - enjoy the car like it was meant to be! My 67 is pretty much all orignial, but I still drive the living #$@% out of it on occasion! One of the reasons I haven't done a frame off on it yet, plus, I suspect my wife wouldn't tolerate it before some of "her" projects get done first....:D

**Ed Jennings** · February 1, 2002, 08:43 AM

Re: VIN# 1Z37 L7S4 31394 -- 77 Vette ???

Mike, just enjoy the car. Doing a NCRS style resto makes no econimic sense. There are too many untouched, original late sharks out there and very little "collector" interest. At $6K Canadian, you can spend a little money on performance upgrades while retaining the original look of the car and drive it like you stole it. Have fun. That's what it's about.

**Duke W.** · February 1, 2002, 09:17 AM

Re: VIN# 1Z37 L7S4 31394 -- 77 Vette ???

I agree with Ed. I sounds like a fair deal for 6K Loonies. My neighbor a couple of doors down has a '77 L-48 automatic, very original. He's the second owner - bought the car when it was a few years old. Let me know if you want me to make any comparisons for you. As opportunities arise, pick up original parts, but don't spend a ton of money.

D...

**Randy Stockberger** · February 1, 2002, 11:25 AM

Re: VIN# 1Z37 L7S4 31394 -- 77 Vette ???

Mike:

Sounds to me like you have an OK car. Many of us have spent more for less! (We just don't tell anyone.) If you still like the car then get it running and drive it. I bought a '70 coupe, not to restore but to fix up as a driver. During my search I passed up nicer cars (with higher prices) because I would have felt bad about wearing out such a nice car. With an average shark or C4 you can drive the wheels off it, keep in in repair and not feel bad about wearing it out. It will also maintain its value instead of depreciating which makes it one of the least expensive cars you will ever own.

Randy Stockberger - #32888

**Mike Engler** · February 2, 2002, 01:28 AM

Re: VIN# 1Z37 L7S4 31394 -- 77 Vette ???

Thanks all for the technical and moral support. I have to admit, I was feeling quite down about the whole issue. Y'all have helped me remember the reason for digging vettes so much ..

which will lead me to my next question .. but I'll put that in another post ..

Thanks again!
Mike Engler

VIN# 1Z37 L7S4 31394 -- 77 Vette ???

VIN# 1Z37 L7S4 31394 -- 77 Vette ???

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