1969 L89 cylinder head bolts

[Joseph W.]

[Ray K.]

Re: 1969 L89 cylinder head bolts

Joe,
Head bolts were the same for both cast iron and aluminum heads.
The GM number for the hard steel washers was #3899696.

Ray

[Joseph W.]

Re: 1969 L89 cylinder head bolts

Thank you Ray!

[Joe L.]

Re: 1969 L89 cylinder head bolts

Thank you Ray!

Joseph-----

As Ray mentioned, the bolts were the same for cast iron or aluminum head big blocks. However, they were different for the all aluminum 1969 ZL-1.

[Stan F.]

[Joseph W.]

Re: 1969 L89 cylinder head bolts

Interesting Stan. I don't remember that discussion, but again, I'm no spring chicken and don't remember a lot of things ha ha
I spoke to my engine builder and he said there were washers and then I did a google search before I purchased the washers and
this post from the Yenko forum came up regarding the washers and L89s

https://www.yenko.net/forum/archive/index.php/t-85940.html

I've already purchased the washers, so if it ends up I don't need them I'll throw them into the extra parts bin.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1969 L89 cylinder head bolts

Joe,

I know that you and I had discussed this previously (I saved the correspondence)… Pretty certain that none of the aluminum head engines except possibly the ZL-1 used a washer under the head bolt. I remember that my old 1969 L-89 did not have any washers, just the standard flanged big block head bolt.

Regards,

Stan Falenski

Stan------

I only vaguely recall our discussion of this.

According to GM, the head bolt washers were used on 1967 and 1968 L-89 and L-88 but for 1969 they were used only for ZL-1. They were scheduled to be used for 1970 LS-7 which, of course, was never released.

[Stan F.]

[Terry M.]

Re: 1969 L89 cylinder head bolts

My L89 has a checkered past, so no help from me.

[Gary B.]

Re: 1969 L89 cylinder head bolts

Terry's engine has them now. A mixture of M and O bolt heads.
Gary B

2023-09-26 10.14.27.1.jpg

[James G.]

Re: 1969 L89 cylinder head bolts

Jon Herrick's 30k mile early 69 L89 has a NOV assembly date. I believe it still has the steel shim headgaskets on it... I sent him a text.

[Jon H.]

Re: 1969 L89 cylinder head bolts

Joe,
From what I have witnessed, L89 aluminum head cars had washers from the factory. The GM part number is 3899696. My low mile Survivor/Benchmark car has them as well as other original L89 and L88 cars I have looked at. Hope this helps and you know how to find me if you need any other help with your project L89 Great car!

[Patrick B.]

Re: 1969 L89 cylinder head bolts

Jon Herrick's 30k mile early 69 L89 has a NOV assembly date. I believe it still has the steel shim headgaskets on it... I sent him a text.

I don't think L-89s used steel shim gaskets. The original gaskets are probably brick red Victor composition gaskets.

[Joseph W.]

Re: 1969 L89 cylinder head bolts

Hi Jon
Thanks for posting.
I was going to reach out to you but hated to bug you.
I've already ordered the washers off Ebay and was shocked to find them to be honest.
NOS to boot!
I'm going to try and find correct headbolts from David S.

[Jon H.]

Re: 1969 L89 cylinder head bolts

I also reached out to Grant Wong. He looked in his files and confirmed that the original L88 cars he has pictures of all have washers.