Mecum, L88 in Florida

[Tom M.]

Re: Mecum, L88 in Florida

When we did the 2nd revision of the manual we thought that the changeover came about that point. However we have found documented Open Chamber cars built in March and Closed Chamber cars built well after March. It now appears that the O/C & C/C engines were randomly mixed in production until probably June. I personally have not seen C/C engines later than that. But never say never.

The key word on any of these cars is provenance

Dick, Does IT = CC & LO = OC ? IN ALL L88'S ? MR= ?
How many LO were built ?
Tom

[Dick W.]

Re: Mecum, L88 in Florida

Tom, buried somewhere in my very unorganized files is an audit report on Corvette engines built in Tonawanda in 1969. It will not tell us exactly how many went into cars or into GMPD, but will give us a reasonable maximum # that could have been installed.

[Tom M.]

Re: Mecum, L88 in Florida

Tom, buried somewhere in my very unorganized files is an audit report on Corvette engines built in Tonawanda in 1969. It will not tell us exactly how many went into cars or into GMPD, but will give us a reasonable maximum # that could have been installed.

Let us know when you find it , MR= ??

Regards Tom

[Steven C.]

Re: Mecum, L88 in Florida

There was a black / saddle one in KY a few years ago, but I don't think it was this one.

Rex

Rex, the KY car is a very early saddle tan soft top, side exhaust car. Not the same car.

[Terry M.]

Re: Mecum, L88 in Florida

All of the Mark IV M codes for 1969 Corvettes signify that the engine had a TI distributor installed at Tonawanda. During 1969 model year the codes beginning with L had a points distributor installed at Tonawanda, and early on if TI was to be installed on that car the points distributor was removed at St. Louis and a TI distributor was installed. Look at the K66 option sheets in the 1969 AIM. During 1969 model year some one decided there were enough TI equipped big blocks being sold that it was less expensive to have the proper distributor installed at the engine plant, and thus the M series of codes became necessary. I think I can find the bulletin with the new series of codes and a date.

I have that manifest Dick mentioned from Tonawanda also, and I know where it is in my files. I just have to find the time at home to get it and post the data for you. It is a pretty sad state of affairs when I have more time at work to post here than I do when I am home. Something is way wrong with that picture.

[Tom M.]

Re: Mecum, L88 in Florida

All of the Mark IV M codes for 1969 Corvettes signify that the engine had a TI distributor installed at Tonawanda. During 1969 model year the codes beginning with L had a points distributor installed at Tonawanda, and early on if TI was to be installed on that car the points distributor was removed at St. Louis and a TI distributor was installed. Look at the K66 option sheets in the 1969 AIM. During 1969 model year some one decided there were enough TI equipped big blocks being sold that it was less expensive to have the proper distributor installed at the engine plant, and thus the M series of codes became necessary. I think I can find the bulletin with the new series of codes and a date.

I have that manifest Dick mentioned from Tonawanda also, and I know where it is in my files. I just have to find the time at home to get it and post the data for you. It is a pretty sad state of affairs when I have more time at work to post here than I do when I am home. Something is way wrong with that picture.

Thanks Terry ,
That's some Great info

regards Tom

[Tom M.]

Re: Mecum, L88 in Florida

Think spring guys, It's cold in Florida too.

[Terry M.]

Re: Mecum, L88 in Florida

Thanks Terry ,
That's some Great info

regards Tom

I might be wrong, but I think it is in the TIM&JG. It might be burried in some other paragraphs, but I thought we put it in there. If i am wrong, I'll try to get the team to include it.

[Tom M.]

Re: Mecum, L88 in Florida

Terry, Do that at work ,so when you get home you can work on your cars

Tom

[Terry M.]

Re: Mecum, L88 in Florida

Dick, Does IT = CC & LO = OC ? IN ALL L88'S ? MR= ?
How many LO were built ?
Tom

Tom,

The bulletin listing the "M" codes is dated April 30, 1969. Do not misunderstand -- this does NOT mean that there were no "M" coded engines built before this date. This is simply the date the Production Planning Department chose to update the list of part numbers.

The 1969 engine production numbers from Tonawanda are NOT accurate. Because of the long 1969 Corvette and Camaro model year, some 1969 model year engines were built during what was the 1970 model year for other Chevrolet model lines. This made record keeping more challenging than usual. The source of this information told me that in his opinion the number of engines produced for 1969 model year may be greater than these numbers, but would not be less. After all that disclaimer:

LO = 449

[Tom M.]

Re: Mecum, L88 in Florida

Tom,

The bulletin listing the "M" codes is dated April 30, 1969. Do not misunderstand -- this does NOT mean that there were no "M" coded engines built before this date. This is simply the date the Production Planning Department chose to update the list of part numbers.

The 1969 engine production numbers from Tonawanda are NOT accurate. Because of the long 1969 Corvette and Camaro model year, some 1969 model year engines were built during what was the 1970 model year for other Chevrolet model lines. This made record keeping more challenging than usual. The source of this information told me that in his opinion the number of engines produced for 1969 model year may be greater than these numbers, but would not be less. After all that disclaimer:

LO = 449

Terry,
Out of the 116 L88's in 69 , approx how many came with Open Chambered heads ?
thanks Tom

[Dick W.]

Re: Mecum, L88 in Florida

Tom the audit records do not tell us that. For the record, I purchased 3 of those engines over the counter in 1969 and 1970. One went in the place of an L-71 in a '67 coupe, one went in the place of an L-89 396 in a '68 Camaro, and I do not know where the third engine finally ended up.

[Tom M.]

Re: Mecum, L88 in Florida

Tom the audit records do not tell us that. For the record, I purchased 3 of those engines over the counter in 1969 and 1970. One went in the place of an L-71 in a '67 coupe, one went in the place of an L-89 396 in a '68 Camaro, and I do not know where the third engine finally ended up.

Dick or Terry, you guys want to take a educated guess on the total of open chambered head cars with L88

20 ? 30 ? 40 ? regards Tom

[Terry M.]

Re: Mecum, L88 in Florida

No edumacation here. I would not make a guess.

[Tom M.]

Re: Mecum, L88 in Florida

Dick or Terry, you guys want to take a educated guess on the total of open chambered head cars with L88

20 ? 30 ? 40 ? regards Tom

Dick , Drew, Joe or ???