76 Vette L-48 or L82 ?

[Joseph V.]

I recently purchased a 76 vette that was said to be an L-82 but I have my doubts. The numbers on the carb and distributor indicate it is an L-82. The engine block pad has V1223CHC which says it is an L-82, and has the VIN # on it also. The problem I see is that the VIN # has an L instead of an X in the 5th digit position. Which would mean it Was an L-48. To further complicate things I found the build sheet on the gas tank and although it was in bad shape, it seems to indicate that a L-82 was ordered. Could this be original or has someone played the exchange game ?

[Joe L.]

Re: 76 Vette L-48 or L82 ?

I recently purchased a 76 vette that was said to be an L-82 but I have my doubts. The numbers on the carb and distributor indicate it is an L-82. The engine block pad has V1223CHC which says it is an L-82, and has the VIN # on it also. The problem I see is that the VIN # has an L instead of an X in the 5th digit position. Which would mean it Was an L-48. To further complicate things I found the build sheet on the gas tank and although it was in bad shape, it seems to indicate that a L-82 was ordered. Could this be original or has someone played the exchange game ?

Joseph------


You've got a real strange situation there. The VIN coding should be pretty definitive as to what engine was originally installed in the car. On the other hand, you have an engine pad with an L-82 suffix code and, presumably, the correct VIN derivative. It seems unlikely to me that someone would have gone to the trouble of going as far as stamping the VIN on a replacement engine, especially since the supposed correct engine is coded into the VIN.

So, I don't know. It could be a factory mistake in which the wrong engine code was included in the VIN. Mistakes did happen.

By the way, regardless of what engine was originally installed in the car, the only correct engine as far as NCRS judging (and state emissions inspections) is concerned is an L-48.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 76 Vette L-48 or L82 ?

So, I don't know. It could be a factory mistake in which the wrong engine code was included in the VIN. Mistakes did happen.

By the way, regardless of what engine was originally installed in the car, the only correct engine as far as NCRS judging (and state emissions inspections) is concerned is an L-48.

I would disagree.
If everything else confirms it as an original engine, including the tank sticker, then I suspect there is no issue with the engine.
We've all seen mistakes where a coupe or convertible got the wrong body code and the car is later judged. I don't think that the wrong character in the VIN would necessarily "kill" it from a judging perspective.

I would recommend he contact his Team Leader as well as Roy Sinor for clarification.

Patrick

[Joseph V.]

Re: 76 Vette L-48 or L82 ?

I agree with you about the trouble it would be with the restamping. Especially on a Corvette that they made 46,556 of them. Not too rare or collectable. The hood has an l-82 emblem on it and the




































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































I agree with you that it makes no sense to go thru all the trouble restamping the engine , putting an L-82 emblem on the hood and even putting an L-82 data plate on the console. This is not a high buck car nor a rare collectable. It is a nice driver. Is there someplace that could bring out the tank sticker in more detail ? Maybe I should post that question.

[Russ S.]

Re: 76 Vette L-48 or L82 ?

Have you checked for another build sheet above the driver side dash? If there it should be in better condition.

[Joseph V.]

Re: 76 Vette L-48 or L82 ?

Is this other build sheet hard to find ? I took a quick look and didn't see anything that looked like a build sheet.

[Russ S.]

Re: 76 Vette L-48 or L82 ?

Not all cars have the second one. My 73 had one above the speedo-tach.I didn't find it without taking the instrument panel partially out.

[Tom R.]

Re: 76 Vette L-48 or L82 ?

I would also look at the date codes of relevant components and ensure they align such as block assembly, carb, distributor. Can you scan and post what remains of the build sheet? The build sheet will list the broadcast codes that call out the parts (above) that were installed and that should be the same as those on the vehicle. So, we would expect the carb broadcast code on the build sheet to be the same as that on the vehicle. Also...what emission sticker code was installed? Another indicater as well.

[Joseph V.]

Re: 76 Vette L-48 or L82 ?

Well since mine was the 632nd one made maybe they were still getting into the groove of making the new model and they put one in the dash area to help them out. I'll have to get in there to see. I hate over head work !!!