What 1968 vettes came with the L88 hood?
07-13-2005, 02:03 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
What 1968 vettes came with the L88 hood?
What "models" could you get in 1968 with the l88 hood? Were you only able to get the l88 with it or could you get the "lesser" big blocks with it too? What are some tell tell signs that its an L88 or it isn't?
Thanks for the help guys...
Thanks for the help guys...
07-13-2005, 02:21 PM
#2
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That hood was available ONLY on the L88 or over the counter. The "lesser" big blocks all came with normal BB hood.
The L88 was exceedingly rare. 80 were built in 68 and 116 were built in 69. Both coupes and Verts were available. Special heavy duty "dual pin" brakes with proportioning valve mandatory, Radio delete was mandatory, Aluminum radiator, M22 "rock-crusher" mandatory (though I've seen L88s advertised with autos, I'm not if they were actually available that way...), no choke (but could be fitted by dealer or owner), transistor ignition, no vacuum advance, Aluminum heads, F41 suspension (lowered 1" and increased spring rates)
The L88 was exceedingly rare. 80 were built in 68 and 116 were built in 69. Both coupes and Verts were available. Special heavy duty "dual pin" brakes with proportioning valve mandatory, Radio delete was mandatory, Aluminum radiator, M22 "rock-crusher" mandatory (though I've seen L88s advertised with autos, I'm not if they were actually available that way...), no choke (but could be fitted by dealer or owner), transistor ignition, no vacuum advance, Aluminum heads, F41 suspension (lowered 1" and increased spring rates)
07-13-2005, 02:46 PM
#4
Racer
Thread Starter
Can I see a pic of the normal big block hood. Thanks for the help guys. A friend of mine had something very interesting happen to him. He sent me a pic of it and I'm kinda trying to not jump to conclusions. All my friend knows(non car guy) is it was ordered with some "big race engine" in it. Drove for a while then parked it. Suppose to be very low milage. He sent me pics and it has an l88 hood. I know the chances are very rare for it to actually be one so either the original owner(friends relative who gave the car to my friend
) replaced the hood a very long time ago...meaning right when he got the car. I hope to go check it out soon.
) replaced the hood a very long time ago...meaning right when he got the car. I hope to go check it out soon.
07-13-2005, 03:09 PM
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My dad was buying L88 parts at the local Chevy dealer and bolting them one Vettes back in the 70-73 time frame... It happened quite a bit, but not as much at today with all the reproduction stuff available.
07-13-2005, 03:17 PM
#10
Racer
Keep in mind that the L88 hood is a very popular after-market add on (I've got one on my small block car). The original L88 cars also had a completely different air cleaner configuration - the base sits on the carburetor, and there's a little wire screen over the top of the carb. The actual air filter itself fits into a holder on the underside of the hood. These can be cloned, too, but most people don't go to that much trouble.
The L88's also came with a sticker about 3" square on the e-brake console warning that you had to run the "good" gas!
The L88's also came with a sticker about 3" square on the e-brake console warning that you had to run the "good" gas!
07-13-2005, 03:27 PM
#11
Racer
Thread Starter
I know the L88 hood is a popular add on today...but that car hasn't moved in a loooooooong time. You should see the dust on that thing. I think the car is red...but mostly a dirty brown dust color right now. We will see....this is most likely a case like Gorman said. I'm chompin at the bit to go see it though
07-13-2005, 04:23 PM
#13
Team Owner
Originally Posted by WillRace4Food
I know the L88 hood is a popular add on today...but that car hasn't moved in a loooooooong time. You should see the dust on that thing. I think the car is red...but mostly a dirty brown dust color right now. We will see....this is most likely a case like Gorman said. I'm chompin at the bit to go see it though
Post some pics when you get a chance.
07-13-2005, 04:43 PM
#14
Racer
Thread Starter
Its an L88 hood..but i have no details on exactly how it got there. If it was delivered with it then this could be really cool. All I know is that it "has some kind of race motor in it". What that means from a non car guy who knows.
07-13-2005, 04:46 PM
#15
Team Owner
Originally Posted by WillRace4Food
Its an L88 hood..but i have no details on exactly how it got there. If it was delivered with it then this could be really cool. All I know is that it "has some kind of race motor in it". What that means from a non car guy who knows.
Easiest way to determine would be to run the numbers. Get him to write them down, post them here and we can figure them out. 
07-14-2005, 09:47 AM
#17
Drifting
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St. Jude Donor '05
I hope you have hit the mother lode, but it's not likely. The "RACE ENGINE" that your friend describes is also the base of so many post on this board, "How do I get my Air Cleaner to clear on my new race engine/ induction system I installed in my C3?" I'd say that the hood followed the engine being modified/installed.
A lot of things happen to one of these cars over a 38 year period and more people are trying to put them back stock now than were trying to maintain them stock in the 60s and 70s. Back then everyone wanted more performance and a better induction system that required a taller hood. Some of us still do!
Good luck and hey it may still be the mother lode even if it is not an L-88, a good '68 big block car is still a great find!
A lot of things happen to one of these cars over a 38 year period and more people are trying to put them back stock now than were trying to maintain them stock in the 60s and 70s. Back then everyone wanted more performance and a better induction system that required a taller hood. Some of us still do!
Good luck and hey it may still be the mother lode even if it is not an L-88, a good '68 big block car is still a great find!
07-14-2005, 09:58 AM
#18
Racer
Thread Starter
Paul..maybe this weekend.
I'm Positive its not an L88 any more. I asked my friend if it has a radio..the answer was yes. Im now leaning to a situation like prosouth talked about . I think the guys son got the car for a while so I bet thats where the hood came from. Hopefully its still a nice big block in there. We will see. I'm glad about this finding..I was getting alittle too amped up about this car..lol.
I'm Positive its not an L88 any more. I asked my friend if it has a radio..the answer was yes. Im now leaning to a situation like prosouth talked about . I think the guys son got the car for a while so I bet thats where the hood came from. Hopefully its still a nice big block in there. We will see. I'm glad about this finding..I was getting alittle too amped up about this car..lol.
