1969 Corvette L88 LO engine stamp, 194379S727979
 

I went and appraised a 69 Corvette yesterday. Its a weary old hot rod that appears to have had a 400hp/427 originally, but now has a different '69 427 based on what looks like an unstamped L88 block. Not a complete engine, as it has iron heads and Edelbrock intake, etc. As I tried to figure out what it was, I found a couple threads from 5 years ago where a guy claimed to have the original engine for the 1969 L88 corvette vin# 194379s727979. Main thread is this:
http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c3-g...379s727979.html
One image was still attached, and lo and behold, it was the same engine stamp as the one in the car I looked at. Although the guy listing the engine took a lot of skepticism on his claims, and people were leery and casting doubt on it, as I look at the two stampings, I'm pretty confident both motors were stamped the same day in June 1969 at Tonawanda.
Curious what others think. Also curious what people might think this unstamped block is worth if its not bored out too much or hurt. Realisitically, I don't think I can make a case to the owner for going to the expense of swapping it out-it just doesn't make sense unless you have a needy '69 L88 just laying around. Fun archaeology though:) I wonder if the engine and car found each other...

Re: 1969 Corvette L88 LO engine stamp, 194379S727979
 

Stamp is real!!!!

Just my two cent!!!!!

Re: 1969 Corvette L88 LO engine stamp, 194379S727979
 

Looks real. Was probably an over-the-counter crate motor. A complete coded engine assembly, not a warranty engine. Make sure he never allows a machinist to deck that block. It should end up in one of the many non-matching 69 L88 cars.

Re: 1969 Corvette L88 LO engine stamp, 194379S727979
 

The guys over on the Corvette forum are a tough crowd. I tried reuniting an L89 block with a car and they weren't too helpful.

Re: 1969 Corvette L88 LO engine stamp, 194379S727979
 

Here's my crate L88 stamping. http://i328.photobucket.com/albums/l...psvh7ceyzt.jpg

Re: 1969 Corvette L88 LO engine stamp, 194379S727979
 

That "O" stamp in LO definitely hung out at a bit of an angle at Tonawanda that year. Thanks for replies. I'm going to identify the block in my writeup, but this owner isn't too deep in the hobby and I doubt it will find its way to an L88 Vette anytime soon. Hopefully whoever buys it next won't deck it.