Just came across my desk: one owner '78 Corvette pace car (verified by the "9" in vin) w/ 60k miles. Original owner who bought it 3 miles from his home. Orig. paint, panels, interior etc. Zero rust. Several original dealer docs. Always garaged and serviced up the ying yang-I've seen the service records. Trying to verify the engine (L48) as original before I pull the trigger. Can someone tell me whether there are casting #'s on the block similar to the Shelby's and if so, where the hell they are located. Or, point me in the right direction. Thx.
A call to an NCRS judge would be a good start.
https://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/c3/1978/78id.html
could try to shoot a p.m. to Corvette Mike? (on here)
Mark p-do you have his contact info. on this site-I could not locate him via a search. Thx.
CorvetteMike no space.
https://www.saacforum.com/index.php?action=profile;u=1213
The optional engine was a L82 the L48 engine was standard. The casting numbers are not done like a Ford. If the car is that good and original it shouldn't be much to worry about. It's not like they gave much trouble plus no one used them for race cars they were just cruisers. I have a 1980 L82 I ordered new since everything Ford made at the time sort of sucked. The L82 actually has a 4 bolt main with the better heads with 2.02 Valves the intake was aluminum along with valve covers and a nice cam. L48s were 2 bolt main cast iron intake with lesser heads and cam. Sorry I gave you more info than you asked for use it for what it's worth.
Shelby 73-thanks. It's funny, the very next day the exact same car came up on CL w/ the L82 and 58k miles. Every bit as clean and original. Other than maybe some increase in value and performance, is there any other advantage to the L82 over the L84. I've done some research and understand that the block casting # is on the driver side behind the valve cover? Great info. from you and and others. Much appreciated. Thx.