[jeffschevelle]

Perhaps someone wanted an L79 wagon, was told he couldn't order one, so ordered an L30 327/275 4-speed wagon, along with getting the dealer to order a complete crate Nova L79, and then had it installed by the dealer?? If a service unit were ordered at that point then it probably would have been a 66 engine assembly.

Hard to imagine someone would transplant the engine from a 66 car years later WITH all the smog stuff still intact, along with the big radiator too. And the coincidence that the recipient wagon just happened to already be a factory 4-speed (probably ultra rare in and of itself)??

Seems like there has to be more to the story than just a typical 1970's engine transplant.

On the other hand, having the air conditioning code seems odd -- unless all complete warranty Nova L79 engine assemblies were built as that version, so that they could be used as warranty replacement units on both cars with or without A/C. That was common in service replacement parts to just offer the version of a part that would fit with all other equipment combos.

Either way, very very cool wagon!! I'd gently clean, get it reliable and roadworthy, and drive the snot out of it!!!