1969 L88

[J W.]

1. Which would be the correct carburetor for a 1969 L88 with a Nov 30, 1968 engine build date? The NCRS Judging Guide says #3955205 for early, closed chamber engines, while most other sources say #3925519. When was the switch made from #3925519 to #3955205?

2. Does anyone know the history of the L88 hood decals? They are in the 1969 AIM p 391. Did any L88s leave the factory with them?

[Drew P.]

Re: 1969 L88

Hello Michael,
The carburetor was installed on the engine at the ST. Louis plant.
What is the VIN for this 1969 L-88 Corvette?
What is trim tag data?
What is the rear axle ratio?
Regards,
Drew Papsun

[Norris W.]

Re: 1969 L88

My '69 L88 was a local car when new, although purchased from an out of state Chevy dealer. I have pictures with the original owner from then, (who's still alive and still hot roddin' at '81 yrs old). The car didn't have the stickers on the hood and I've always been of the opinion that GM didn't deliver any cars with em.

The car is in storage, and I don't remember for sure, but I believe the carb is 205. This car has Top Flighted twice and Earthquaked & judged at Bloomington in '88, with no carb deductions. I'll look at the carb number tomorrow or Wed. if somebody else doesn't say for sure before then.

[J W.]

Re: 1969 L88

Thanks Drew
If the carb was installed at St. Louis, then is it possible for the build date for the carb to later than the build date for the engine? The car was built in March 1969. What does the trim tag and rear axle have to do with the carburetor?

Michael #41268

[Dick W.]

Re: 1969 L88

No hood decals, that was a GM over the counter parts thing. We believe that the #519 carb was for closed chamber engines and the #205 was for the open chamber engines. I have seen Dec '68 dated 205's but I believe that they were destined for the ZL-1 Camaro's. I am not very knowledgeable on the Camaro's but I believe that they started delivering them in Jan. '69

[Mark G.]

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/c3/1969/69id.html

[Drew P.]

Re: 1969 L88

Hello Michael,
I have been doing research on L-88 Corvettes. That is why I asked for the VIN and trim tag and rear axle ratio.
Regards,
Drew Papsun

[J W.]

Re: 1969 L88

Thanks Mark
Thanks Dick

It seems as though it is not possible to say for sure which carb my car was delivered with since a changeover date is not known. As an early '69 closed chamber car, it most likely had a #519 carb.

Michael #41268

[Dick W.]

Re: 1969 L88

Michael, that is our thinking as of right now. We have not found anything conclusive that would cause a change in the manual

[Mark #28455]

Beware the carb restampers!

Your car most likely had the 4054 carb (vac secondary). Although a FEW 4296 carbs have been seen with early date codes, all L88 carbs were such a rare carb that they were batch built and there are only a few common date codes seen - all of which are later. In addition, I bought a 4054 carb from a well known ZL1 guy and reportedly, it was an early takeoff from an original ZL1 race car that was changed over to the 4296 double pumper as soon as they were available, but who knows? So far, I have seen three common 4054 date codes but I'm sure there were more. The 4054 is identical to the 3418 1967 L88 carb (which was sold as a service dated carb) except that the 4054 had the PCV nipple. Original 1969 vintage castings for the main body ARE different from the 1980's service dated carbs, usually where the machining was done for the air cleaner base.

The restampers buy 1968 or 1969 dated 3418 carbs and change the Holley "List" number and GM part number and voila - a $100 dollar 3418 core is now worth $1000 or more on e-bay!

By the way, the "good" restamps are essentially undetectable so watch your $$$.

Mark

[Mark #28455]

Re: 1969 L88

I have copies of the original 4296 specification sheets from Holley (in storage of course ) some day when they turn up again, I will have to check if they were dated. Got them from a certain Holley engineer's estate - he passed on about 10 years ago.

Mark