L88 Hood update
02-22-2012, 10:25 PM
#42
Burning Brakes
Nice work JEFF.
Here is an update on my project. As you know, I have a 72 and the prior owner replaced the short hood and wiper door with a long hood. I'm restoring the wiper door and short hood.
Earlier in this thread are photos of my Ecklers hood scoop that I fiberglassed in a short hood. My plan is to install the full L-88 cold air induction system. To do this I bought an Eckers L-88 air box. As others have said, the Ecklers air box does not fit the Eckers hood scoop without major modification. I needed to cut off the back flange and move the air box 1 inch to the left. This required major Dremel surgery. The photo shows the air box already fiberglassed. I need to smooth it out, then light body filler, sand and paint. I'm going for a seamless look.
Getting the air box to seal against the foam over the air cleaner base took hours of adjustment. Not only does the air box need to be centered, it also needed to be angled exactly to be flat against the foam. I really recommend using plumber's putty as a gauge.
I have an Edlebrock 1406 carb with an electric choke. I bought a reproduction L-88 air cleaner base. It does not even come close to fitting over an Edlebrock carb. What you see is the Edlebrock drop base with all the remaining L-88 parts. Functionally, it works perfectly. Forgive all the fiberglass dust. I also adjusted the fenders and hood so the new hood fits perfectly. In the back you see the wiper door reinstalled. A major PITA. I need to get the vacuum system working next.
Here is an update on my project. As you know, I have a 72 and the prior owner replaced the short hood and wiper door with a long hood. I'm restoring the wiper door and short hood.
Earlier in this thread are photos of my Ecklers hood scoop that I fiberglassed in a short hood. My plan is to install the full L-88 cold air induction system. To do this I bought an Eckers L-88 air box. As others have said, the Ecklers air box does not fit the Eckers hood scoop without major modification. I needed to cut off the back flange and move the air box 1 inch to the left. This required major Dremel surgery. The photo shows the air box already fiberglassed. I need to smooth it out, then light body filler, sand and paint. I'm going for a seamless look.
Getting the air box to seal against the foam over the air cleaner base took hours of adjustment. Not only does the air box need to be centered, it also needed to be angled exactly to be flat against the foam. I really recommend using plumber's putty as a gauge.
I have an Edlebrock 1406 carb with an electric choke. I bought a reproduction L-88 air cleaner base. It does not even come close to fitting over an Edlebrock carb. What you see is the Edlebrock drop base with all the remaining L-88 parts. Functionally, it works perfectly. Forgive all the fiberglass dust. I also adjusted the fenders and hood so the new hood fits perfectly. In the back you see the wiper door reinstalled. A major PITA. I need to get the vacuum system working next.
Last edited by Clubby99; 02-22-2012 at 10:31 PM.
02-23-2012, 09:59 AM
#43
Drifting
Thread Starter
Very Nice!! That will work wonderfully, you will most likely need to adjust the carb a tad with the elimination of the hot air, it should be a lot more consistent, good job. I have a new motivation to get mine done, my new TT 17x8's are on the way and I have no hood on! 
02-23-2012, 10:39 PM
#45
Burning Brakes
Yep. Most Holley carbs will work with the original L-88 drop base. Edelbrock and Quadrajet will not. But, as I said, the Edelbrock drop base works. Yet I really wanted to use the original.
PCV is in the lower right in photo.
02-25-2012, 06:04 PM
#46
Instructor
Member Since: Apr 2008
Location: West Point NE
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is there any way when doing a L88 scoop that u could make the bracing of the bottom of the hood b gone and still b stong enough so when u open the hood it looks like a factory hood. or does the factory L88 have a bracket like this?
02-25-2012, 07:45 PM
#47
Burning Brakes
All L-88 hoods, long or short, original (68 & 69) and/or aftermarket, all have some sort of support bracket.
02-25-2012, 09:13 PM
#48
Race Director
02-25-2012, 09:38 PM
#49
Burning Brakes
You are absolutely 100% wrong. Go look at the L-88 site at the link. Photos of most known remaining L-88 cars.
http://www.thel88corvette.com/L88-68-04.htm
http://www.thel88corvette.com/L88-68-04.htm
Last edited by Clubby99; 02-25-2012 at 09:41 PM.
02-25-2012, 11:56 PM
#50
Race Director
You are absolutely 100% wrong. Go look at the L-88 site at the link. Photos of most known remaining L-88 cars.
http://www.thel88corvette.com/L88-68-04.htm
http://www.thel88corvette.com/L88-68-04.htm
Apparently you have never seen a real 1968 L-88 hood from the rear, ...But, I have seen a obvious aftermarket hood that did have a flimsy looking apparatus glued into the windshield scoop right here on the forum.....was it this post?
...this hood is GM factory, not aftermarket
02-26-2012, 12:22 AM
#51
Burning Brakes
I think you misuderstood the OP and my response.
He was asking about cutting that whole middle section (large middle section that holds hood cable). Experts, like you think you are, should read first before correcting anyone.
02-26-2012, 01:30 AM
#52
Race Director
The Yellow car is a dealer made L-88 specifically for me from a L-71 car by Mark Chevrolet in Wayne Mi......it has a heater, radio, and a fan shroud of which was not available any other way such as Berger, Motion and a few others that put some cars together....It also carried a full 5 year warranty .....When new there was never a thought that these cars had the potential of becoming collectors objects....this one has 28,000 miles on it and my friend this Vette has been in existence since March 1968 with 'all GM parts including the hood....and its not my only L-88 powered piece ither...I used them in anything and everything that I ordered with a big block
02-26-2012, 09:38 AM
#53
Burning Brakes
The Yellow car is a dealer made L-88 specifically for me from a L-71 car by Mark Chevrolet in Wayne Mi......it has a heater, radio, and a fan shroud of which was not available any other way such as Berger, Motion and a few others that put some cars together....It also carried a full 5 year warranty .....When new there was never a thought that these cars had the potential of becoming collectors objects....this one has 28,000 miles on it and my friend this Vette has been in existence since March 1968 with 'all GM parts including the hood....and its not my only L-88 powered piece ither...I used them in anything and everything that I ordered with a big block
02-26-2012, 07:53 PM
#54
Instructor
Member Since: Apr 2008
Location: West Point NE
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02-29-2012, 08:44 PM
#56
Drifting
Thread Starter
I have not had to "deal" with anything, it has been enjoyable for the most part. I have had a buddy that is better doing filler help me get it perfect and we are about ready for primer, he is real good! (he is also my pastor) He came over last night help, I work for a uti;ity and had to bolt on an emergency and he was still in the garage when I got back home still workin on it! Now thats a friend!
03-22-2012, 08:31 PM
#57
Drifting
Thread Starter
Latest. Had bad back issues, should have it painted already. A tiny bit more fine tuning and I will shoot it, hopefully within a couple of weeks. I think it turned out nice so far.
03-22-2012, 09:51 PM
#59
Le Mans Master
I owned and raced the #37 racecar shown in the L-88 presentation for 20 years
This 1969 L88 Corvette was originally purchased by a Texas A&M professor for his son on September 12, 1969. This L88 Corvette was used by the son until June of 1971. Garrett Waddell was the second owner of this Monza Red L88 Corvette and he soon began to race it in the newly formed IMSA series. Very little modifications were done to this low mileage L88 Corvette to satisfy the IMSA tech inspectors, in fact, it was very close to factory condition when raced. Garrett finished first in his GTO class at the first IMSA Camel GT Challenge that was held at Texas World Speedway on December 4, 1971. Garrett would continue to race this low mileage factory L88 Corvette for many more seasons. This L88 Corvette was finally retired with 16,000 miles on the clock. This L88 still contains its original invoice that contains the serial number, price, and options, along with numerous photographs.
This 1969 L88 Corvette was originally purchased by a Texas A&M professor for his son on September 12, 1969. This L88 Corvette was used by the son until June of 1971. Garrett Waddell was the second owner of this Monza Red L88 Corvette and he soon began to race it in the newly formed IMSA series. Very little modifications were done to this low mileage L88 Corvette to satisfy the IMSA tech inspectors, in fact, it was very close to factory condition when raced. Garrett finished first in his GTO class at the first IMSA Camel GT Challenge that was held at Texas World Speedway on December 4, 1971. Garrett would continue to race this low mileage factory L88 Corvette for many more seasons. This L88 Corvette was finally retired with 16,000 miles on the clock. This L88 still contains its original invoice that contains the serial number, price, and options, along with numerous photographs.
03-25-2012, 01:00 PM
#60
Drifting
Thread Starter
I owned and raced the #37 racecar shown in the L-88 presentation for 20 years
This 1969 L88 Corvette was originally purchased by a Texas A&M professor for his son on September 12, 1969. This L88 Corvette was used by the son until June of 1971. Garrett Waddell was the second owner of this Monza Red L88 Corvette and he soon began to race it in the newly formed IMSA series. Very little modifications were done to this low mileage L88 Corvette to satisfy the IMSA tech inspectors, in fact, it was very close to factory condition when raced. Garrett finished first in his GTO class at the first IMSA Camel GT Challenge that was held at Texas World Speedway on December 4, 1971. Garrett would continue to race this low mileage factory L88 Corvette for many more seasons. This L88 Corvette was finally retired with 16,000 miles on the clock. This L88 still contains its original invoice that contains the serial number, price, and options, along with numerous photographs.
This 1969 L88 Corvette was originally purchased by a Texas A&M professor for his son on September 12, 1969. This L88 Corvette was used by the son until June of 1971. Garrett Waddell was the second owner of this Monza Red L88 Corvette and he soon began to race it in the newly formed IMSA series. Very little modifications were done to this low mileage L88 Corvette to satisfy the IMSA tech inspectors, in fact, it was very close to factory condition when raced. Garrett finished first in his GTO class at the first IMSA Camel GT Challenge that was held at Texas World Speedway on December 4, 1971. Garrett would continue to race this low mileage factory L88 Corvette for many more seasons. This L88 Corvette was finally retired with 16,000 miles on the clock. This L88 still contains its original invoice that contains the serial number, price, and options, along with numerous photographs.