L88 Heads?

[19Camaro69]

Hello my name is Vic and I have a set of 1967 L88 427c.i. heads and was wondering what the value of these heads would be. They are in excellent original condition. A friend that is really into the Vette's said that it would be best for me to put a post up here and see what you all have to say about it. Thanks for the help. Vic

[Joe L.]

Re: L88 Heads?

Vic-----

The problem is that, as far as Corvettes go, the GM casting #3904392 cylinder heads were used only for 1967 L-88 and L-89. A combined total of 36 of these cars were produced. So, from a restoration standpoint, there are not too many folks that need these heads even if EVERY existing originally optioned car currently needed them. Of course, for someone with such a car and needing heads with a casting date similar to yours (or, even, any casting date as long as the casting number is correct)these heads would be VERY valuable. The challenge is finding a person with one of these cars that also needs a set of heads.

Due to the rarity of the above-referenced optioned cars and their high value, it's unlikely that anyone would need a set of heads to "make up" such a car. Anyone with the money it would take to buy one would want proof-positive documentation prior to sale. At least, any sane person would.

[Pat Bush #35083]

Re: L88 Heads?

Vic -

Joe is the "defacto" expert on these sort of things but I will put my 2 cents in as well. Given that good, original BB tri-pack manifolds go for over 1500.00 regularly on ebay, and your heads are a lot rarer than that, I would say if you found the right person with the right car, AND you have all the supporting documentation for the heads AND they have not been molested, you would be able to get in the neighberhood of 2,500, maybe more. I recently saw a numbered 68 Vette BB 427/400 (complete less the manifolds) go for over 5,000 and that's a lot more common an engine than what you have.

It's all a supply demand thing. There certainly is no supply of what you have, but there is also not a lot of demand for the premium price tag these heads would generate. If I were you, I might check with national collectors who may have one of the "36" and want a spare set of original heads. If you search through the postings, you should be able to find a few of these fellows. They have tons of Vettes and some awful rare ones (ZL-1, L-88 etc...)

Pat

[Jerry Clark]

any sane person would.

Joe has failed to consider my "reputation"
I paid $3,000.00 NOS bare and will have about $5,500.00 in a set of 392 heads when they are complete.
jer

[Patrick H.]

Re: any sane person would.

Jer,

Don't worry. We gave up on your sanity long ago. I'm sure you failed that test I sent you anyway.

Can't wait to put those new heads to the test, though. Now I've just got to figure out some excuse to go to Florida that my wife might consider somewhat legitimate.

Patrick

[Jerry Clark]

"Honey, I've Been Offered"

a once in a lifetime opportuntity.......DR. TEST PILOT.....

[Jeff Chester]

Re: were these offered "over the counter"?

Were these offered "Over the Counter' as with many other race related parts? Joe?
jc

[Joe L.]

Re: were these offered "over the counter"?

Jeff-----

The GM casting #3904392 cylinder head was known as GM PART #3904387. It was discontinued from SERVICE in July, 1969. So, it was available over-the-counter until then.

From a restoration perspective, this cylinder head is, as I mentioned, valuable for someone needing one for a 67 L-88 or L-89 (active need or as spares). The $3,000 which Jerry paid for an NOS set is not very far out of line with the value of an NOS set. So, sanity has not departed here.

Other than the restoration application, though, I would not expect that these cylinder heads would be extremely desirable from the perspective of the performance enthusiast. Except for material, these heads are virtually identical with the GM #3919840 cast iron cylinder heads used on 1967-69 Corvettes with L-71. These are a closed chamber cylinder head which are not a bad performing cylinder head, but they are obsolete by today's standards. From a purely performance perspective, a set of modern GM Performance Parts or Edelbrock big block, semi-open chamber cylinder heads are significantly superior. These heads sell for about $1,700 per pair COMPLETE.