Roadshow Bob

I recently purchased an '84 Z-28 that came from the factory with the L69 option. The engine that is installed is not the original as far as I can tell. I also got two more engines along with the car when I picked it up. My question is this, can anyone tell me specific casting numbers for the L69 block, intake, and head for the original L69. I would like to build an engine as close to original as I can and wanted to know how much of what I have can I use. Thanks

okfoz

This is not a direct answer to your question.

If you look at the front of the engine block on the passenger side of the engine, up by the head, there is a hog that sticks out. there is a machined surface that has some numbers stamped into it. On that there are the last several numbers from the VIN of the car that the engine came from. Check over the blocks that came with the car, who knows you may get lucky and find the original block

John

Roadshow Bob

The block in the car has been machined off and the other two blocks don't match for VIN

okfoz

it was worth a shot...

John

Roadshow Bob

yeah.. i was hoping it was just buried under grease and paint, but it's apparently been decked. From what I can tell it's an 87-88 305 casting number 14093627. The other blocks I have are 14010201 (80-85) and 14088551 (86-88). From what I can tell the 14010201 casting could be used for an L69 buildup.

RB83L69

Yes, my L69 has a 201 block. It came with 416 heads. All of that is the same as a LG4 or LU5.

The differences internally, were the L69 got X rods instead of no-mark rods, flat-top pistons instead of dished, and the L69 cam (duh.... it was a brand-new profile designed specifically for the application) instead of the "peanut" cam. Externally, the exh manifolds and the whole rest of the exhaust were different, it had an electric fan instead of a clutch unit, it had a knock sensor where the LG4 didn't, and the fuel & spark curves were different (carb & PROM are both different).

I don't know of any way to get an exact copy of that cam. Maybe not even from GM. I have one on hand myself, but it has ALOT of miles on it; that's why I kept it, is so that it could be copied if necessary. But, there are numerous aftermarket grinds that are close enough to use; for example, the Comp "Dual Energy" 255DEH is pretty close except for lobe separation. Or, you can get a custom one made. For instance, if you had Comp custom-grind you one with the HE252 intake lobe and the HE262 exhaust lobe on 112-114° lobe separation, that would also be really close.

Roadshow Bob

thanks for the info. I think the car still has the stock carb and exhaust. It for sure still has the air cleaner, electric fan, and distributor. I have a couple of different head castings. I have 14022601's on the 0201 block already. As for the sensors, everything is in a box in the back seat and the intake has been stripped clean of everything. I have an Edelbrock cam which is the 2102.

RB83L69

People say the 601s came on some of the L69s. Not on mine though.

That cam looks similar on paper to the L69 cam, but isn't as close as it looks. And it's a rather inferior grind by today's standards besides. Too bad it's the Edelbrock version of it.... it costs about a third as much to buy it as a Melling, AMotion, Wolverine, Blue Racer, "Summit", Sealed Power, etc. etc. etc., all of whom offer the identical same thing. It's an ancient generic grind that's been around since the 60s. Very very vanilla and universal, no magic in the Edelbrock name. For that matter, all of the Edelbrock flat-tappet cams are that way.

I have a few pics of my motor, that show where everything is. It's far from show quality, but you can see all the parts at least.

Roadshow Bob

If you could hook me up with pics, it would be great. My e-mail is roadshowbob@sbcglobal.net

85 T/A WS6

Kevin84Z28

iTrader: (3)

I also have the L69 in my 84 Z28, but just take a breath and think about it. I've struggled with the idea of keeping mine and rebuilding it or getting a replacement crate motor. The L69 put out a maximum of 190hp. For the price of a new crate motor (350ci) from GM, you would bump that up to a minimum of 330 hp. 190hp, in my estimation is underpowered for these cars. It's truely one of Chevrolets great blunders, They got the looks, they got the handling but as a writer for Road and Track wrote in 1984, they were "Emily Post polite, everybody goes first at the stoplight." UNDERPOWERED..... There was even a program developed by GM where GM put out a specific 350ci block and conversion kit as a replacement for the 305ci in the camaro. It's now discontinued. There is alot you can do with the 305ci, Just about everything that bolts to the 350ci bolts to the 305ci, but when you crunch the numbers, an out of the box 350ci is cheaper and more powerful that a warmed-over, rebuilt 305ci. That can't really even be argued. By trying to keep your car origional, which was my goal, you loose out on performance and in the long run, MONEY. Good luck on whatever decision you make.

Roadshow Bob

I was gonna go with an '94 LT-1 from a Caprice cop car. I agree with you on the 350 being a better alternative from a performance standpoint. I decided to go with the L69 build for a few reason, orginality, cost ( I have two complete 305's plus parts) and what I am using it for. This car is basically for daily driving by my wife and cruising to the coast until my son gets old enough for it. Then it's his and we can go crazy with it if he wants. I have another project lined up for my all out tire frying fun.

okfoz

Actually I would personally go with the LT1, from the caprice...

My mother had a 94 Roadmaster with the LT1, it would smoke the tires, and get 30 Mpg on the highway. And it could turn an easy 15 sec 1/4... And THAT is a BIIIG car, It weighed upwards of 4300 Lbs...

With the L69, you will be lucky to get about 22 on the highway... With gas prices the way they are the LT1 looks mighty inviting.

And the 30 Mpg is not an overestimation, we tested it on several occasions, and we came back with 33 Mpg several times...



John

Roadshow Bob

The LT-1 is now slated to go into my 1980 Chevy LUV truck. If it will move a 4300 lb car to a 15 second 1/4, then imagine what it will do to a 2790 lb vehicle.
The goal with the Camaro is just a nice daily driver car. Nothing fancy or exotic or too expensive. Just a nice clean ride.

okfoz

I would think you will have traction problems in that Luv Truck...

I havent seen one of those Luv Trucks in more than 10 years...

John

Roadshow Bob

Yeah, they have kinda dropped from sight over time, but have a good following online.
LUVTruck.com

Thunderstruck

A 15 second Roadmaster ( easily ) !!!?????? Uh Huh...
A stock LT-1 in a Roadmaster will not go 15 sec in a
1/4.

Oh, we won't go into all of the other " little things "
like - Opti-spark, fuel inj, sensors, reverse cooling
elec fuel pump,and etc, etc.

Stay with one of the motors you have or just get
yourself a " Hencho en Mexico " crate motor. Just
think, you'll be feeding a lot of hungry little Mexican
Children !

Good luck with your decision.

okfoz

VERY easily... Lemme put it this way, My 67 Riv is a upper 14 second car. My mothers roadmaster easily kept up with me. The Roadmaster would raost the tires, with Positraction... Put it this way, there was no difference between it and an Impalla SS of the same year...

And one more thing Do the math, Iff a roadmaster weighs about 4400 lbs, and a camaro of the same year weighed in about 3400#, There is no doubt an LT1 camaro turned a 14 1/4 mile flat. Rule of thumb is .1 sec for every 100 Pounds... It works out perfect.



John

Apeiron

The reason it's a "rule of thumb" is because it's only somewhat valid over small changes in weight, not when you're taking a fifth of the car's weight off.

Z's r Best

Another thing to look for with the original HO parts is the catalytic convertor. The HO cars had 4 bolt flanges at the inlet and outlet like a corvette. Mine's still there but it's been on a diet internally. Also, the HO cars with the 700r4 and 3.73 pos rear were pretty quick off a stop light. Ours was well used when I bought it for my oldest son. He came home from work one night telling me "the new mustangs aren't so fast". When I asked what he meant he told me some guy in a new mustang (this was about 6 years ago) was revving his engine up at a stop light on Rt. 1. When the light turned green they both hit the gas and from 0 to 45 mph the mustang was back at the bumper of the my son's Z28. When I asked him how he was gonna feel about losing the car and his license for racing he calmly told me he never exceeded the speed limit. He let off the gas at 45 mph and let the Mustang go on down the road. I explained it wasn't breaking the speed limit that would get him a ticket for racing and I think it got his attention. Anyway, just a story.