L88 date spread

[Edward M.]

Someone on the CorvetteForum (C3) has an over the counter L88 for sale. The date spread between the casting date and the assembly date got my attention.

Casting date is L 18 8 and front pad stamp is T0626LO.

L 18 8 is a casting date of December 18th, 1968.

T0626LO is an assembly date of June 26th (of 1969, I assume)?

What sort of spread is "normal" (can we even use that word) for an L88?

I don't know enough about them to make an observation.

[Steve B.]

Re: L88 date spread

Ed, my 69L88 has a casting date of late may of 69 and the assembly date is 6 06. My car is an absolute original motored car. I am sure that there may be exceptions but I will leave that to the experts.

[Bill M.]

Re: L88 date spread

Someone on the CorvetteForum (C3) has an over the counter L88 for sale. The date spread between the casting date and the assembly date got my attention.

Casting date is L 18 8 and front pad stamp is T0626LO.

L 18 8 is a casting date of December 18th, 1968.

T0626LO is an assembly date of June 26th (of 1969, I assume)?

What sort of spread is "normal" (can we even use that word) for an L88?

I don't know enough about them to make an observation.

The '69 L-88 was treated like any other engine at Tonawanda. They went down the same Mark IV assembly line as all the other BB (except ZL-1).

[Dick W.]

Re: L88 date spread

No workee in NCRS judging. Way outside the six month rule. I would come nearer beliving a wide spread between the assembly date and the body date that I would the spread between casting and assembly. With that said, I would never say never, but after over 25 years of looking at those motors, I have not run across that senario. But I did not stay at a Holiday Inn last night. Only a lowly Marriot in Hotlanta

[Michael H.]

Re: L88 date spread

The '69 L-88 was treated like any other engine at Tonawanda. They went down the same Mark IV assembly line as all the other BB (except ZL-1).

I agree with Bill. There was nothing special about an L88 block so there wouldn't have been anything odd about the cast/stamp date time spacing. A few weeks to a month is probally typical of a LONG span between the cast/stamp dates.

[Edward M.]

Re: L88 date spread

Any thoughts on this pad?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2LMxE11Owo&feature=channel_page

[Philip C.]

Re: L88 date spread

Someone on the CorvetteForum (C3) has an over the counter L88 for sale. The date spread between the casting date and the assembly date got my attention.

Casting date is L 18 8 and front pad stamp is T0626LO.

L 18 8 is a casting date of December 18th, 1968.

T0626LO is an assembly date of June 26th (of 1969, I assume)?

What sort of spread is "normal" (can we even use that word) for an L88?

I don't know enough about them to make an observation.

Ed for my two cent 6 mos is a little long and not the norm, BUT NOT completely out of line. This stuff was not made with a magic wand. I have seen blocks (sm) with cast date to assy date, one or two days apart and have seen april cars with nov blocks. Big blocks tend to have a bigger spread on dates than small blocks. Has anyone ever seen a block casting number on the bell flange cast upside down, I have one. Too bad Al G never got the casting dates when he took all the photos of all those pads many years ago. Phil 8063

[Paul D.]

Re: L88 date spread

I had a 1970 L-46 350/350 hp engine,original to the car,block made mid Nov '69. It was assembled in late June '70 for a July built car....P....

[Wayne M.]

Re: L88 date spread

..... Has anyone ever seen a block casting number on the bell flange cast upside down, I have one. Too bad Al G never got the casting dates when he took all the photos of all those pads many years ago. Phil 8063

Phil -- a friend who lives close by in Calgary has a SS427 big Chevy with a '321' block with bellhousing #'s upside down.

Here's the link from a year ago.
https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...60299&uid=4670

[Dick W.]

Re: L88 date spread

I don't think that I will rush out and spend any money based on what I see on the pad.

[Philip C.]

Re: L88 date spread

Phil -- a friend who lives close by in Calgary has a SS427 big Chevy with a '321' block with bellhousing #'s upside down.

Here's the link from a year ago.
https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...60299&uid=4670

Hi Wayne Thanks for the photos, The T block I have is a 870, I have to check if the date is also backward, dont think so because Iam sure, well, maybe I didnt notice. Phil 8063