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Topic: What heads came on a 79 L-82?

in Forum: C3 Engines

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What heads came on a 79 L-82? (1/6)
2/27/14 6:12pm

bcousins
Former Member
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Jacksonville, FL - USA

Vette(s):
79 L-82 4-speed. Original block now a 383 with aluminum heads, roller cam and rockers, Edelbrock intake, MSD distributor and ignition module, Speed Demon 650 carb. Rebuilt and upgraded all steering and suspension.

Joined: 12/15/2009
Posts: 36

I have searched all over the web and have seen mention of the heads I have on my 79 L-82 but have not been able to identify them.

First, what was the correct head casting # for that engine?

The block casting # is 3970010 indicating a 350 and the ID code is V0219ZBA indicating and engine made in Flint, MI on 02 February and ZBA is the L-82 code for 1979.

The heads on the engine have this casting: GM 42 then under that 3888883 then under that D2 42.

None of the websites I have searched list the 3888883 heads although some people have posted guesses such as from a 400 small block.

Most posts go on to recommend one head or another for improvement but I am only trying to figure out what I have, I already know what I want to have and they are made by AFR.

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Re: What heads came on a 79 L-82? (2/6)
2/27/14 8:58pm

Adams' Apple

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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20203

L-48 and L-82 heads in '79 were 462624 castings. ZAB is correct for L-82/4speed.
I can't find that casting number(3888883) in ANY of my reference material. My guess would be early/mid '70s 350. I'll keep looking, tho. Definitely not original for a '79 Corvette, best I can tell.

Are you certain that is the correct number? Can you post the casting Date(s) for the head(s)?

|UPDATED|2/27/2014 8:58:18 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

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Joel Adams
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Re: What heads came on a 79 L-82? (3/6)
2/27/14 9:21pm

Thanks for the response. I also can't find that casting number anywhere but that is what shows on my heads. Leads me to suspect they are from some obscure 400 engine and found in a junkyard. BTW, the engine code suffix # is ZBA, not ZAB. I believe the ZAB was a 79 L-48. This page shows both http://www.nastyz28.com/gm-chevy-codes/chevy-engine-codes-suffix-10.php

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Re: What heads came on a 79 L-82? (4/6)
2/27/14 9:26pm

3888883 is the number cast into the heads. I should have taken a photo when I had the valve cover removed. I don't know where to find the date. I posted all of the info above that is shown on the heads;

GM D2 then under that 3888883 then under that D2 42.

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Re: What heads came on a 79 L-82? (5/6)
2/28/14 2:00pm

My apologies to Joel at Adam's Apple. I pulled the valve cover today and see that I misread the casting number. The correct number is 3998993. I also verified it is a heavy casting and matched the casting mark on the ends of the heads with that head. There are some conflicting casting number websites but it looks like it is from a 1971-74 350. Not a great head but probably better than what came on the car.

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Re: What heads came on a 79 L-82? (6/6)
2/28/14 9:21pm

Adams' Apple

That makes it better! Thumbs Up

Years used- 1968-76
Cast # 399893
Engine - 350
Intake valve- 1.72"
Exhaust valve- 1.5"
Application- Truck

Mystery solved. Big smile

|UPDATED|2/28/2014 9:21:48 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

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