1965 L-79

[Michael S.]

A friend has a '65 L-79, with the block stamped LU, what does that stand for?
Thanks, Michael

[Patrick B.]

Re: 1965 L-79

What is the casting number and casting date of the block? What else is stamped on the block?

[Michael J.]

Re: 1965 L-79

The 3858180 block is LU, that is not an engine suffix, but I have no idea what it means. Perhaps Limited Use?

[Patrick B.]

Re: 1965 L-79

Does it have an engine plant stamping and a VIN stamping?

[Clem Z.]

Re: 1965 L-79

LU is a 69 427,435 HP

[Michael J.]

Re: 1965 L-79

I found a story on that other forum about how these 3858180 blocks were built in Tonawanda while the Flint plant was down for some reason during that time period in the sixties. They were designated "LU" for limited use in Corvettes, apparently many were used in other Chevys during those days, but only limited use in Corvettes. Maybe this is a rare block?

This is story written there:

1965
Casting # Cubic Inches Description/Application
3782870 327 250, 300, 350, 365 & 375 Horsepower
3858180* 327 Limited Quantity of Units
3855962 396 425 Horsepower
* A limited number of these small block engines appear in 1965 Corvettes. Their casting origin was Tonawanda, New York; apparently shipped to the Flint, Michigan, V-8 engine plant for machining and assembly. Their usage is believed to be a substitution occurring during a foundry shutdown at Saginaw, MI.

[Michael S.]

Re: 1965 L-79

What is the casting number and casting date of the block? What else is stamped on the block?

Casting # 3858180, casting date A2164, heads 3795896, K-22, K-18, with a late vin #

[Michael J.]

Re: 1965 L-79

Casting # 3858180, casting date A2164, heads 3795896, K-22, K-18, with a late vin #

Yep, the limited use block.

[Patrick B.]

Re: 1965 L-79

Casting # 3858180, casting date A2164, heads 3795896, K-22, K-18, with a late vin #

I don't believe this engine came in a 65 Corvette. It's a 1964 model year Tonowanda block with heads consistent with a 1964 model year 250 hp 327. Incomplete dates are given for the heads, but I'll guess that they are K-22-63 indicating Tonowanda manufacture. If a few 180 blocks got in 65 Corvettes, what is the chance the blocks were already a year old rather than fresh? What are the complete stampings on the pad? Does it really have a VIN stamped on the pad. That would be unusual for a base 327 passenger car which is probably the source of this engine. A pad photo would help nail it down.

[Michael S.]

Re: 1965 L-79

I don't believe this engine came in a 65 Corvette. It's a 1964 model year Tonowanda block with heads consistent with a 1964 model year 250 hp 327. Incomplete dates are given for the heads, but I'll guess that they are K-22-63 indicating Tonowanda manufacture. If a few 180 blocks got in 65 Corvettes, what is the chance the blocks were already a year old rather than fresh? What are the complete stampings on the pad? Does it really have a VIN stamped on the pad. That would be unusual for a base 327 passenger car which is probably the source of this engine. A pad photo would help nail it down.

Heads date 1963, vin # 19467S103780. The guy has had the car only about 6 months, the cast date on the block A is for what month?

[Patrick B.]

Re: 1965 L-79

Heads date 1963, vin # 19467S103780. The guy has had the car only about 6 months, the cast date on the block A is for what month?

A is January. If the head is K-22-63 it is a Tonowanda head. If it is K-22-3 it is a Flint head. What exactly is stamped on the block? Certainly not that vin - which is also missing the year digit.

[Michael S.]

Re: 1965 L-79

A is January. If the head is K-22-63 it is a Tonowanda head. If it is K-22-3 it is a Flint head. What exactly is stamped on the block? Certainly not that vin - which is also missing the year digit.

Typo on the vin, it is 194675S103780, I'm having him get me what's stamped on the front pad, will get back to you.

[Michael S.]

Re: 1965 L-79

A is January. If the head is K-22-63 it is a Tonowanda head. If it is K-22-3 it is a Flint head. What exactly is stamped on the block? Certainly not that vin - which is also missing the year digit.

On the front pad is stamped TO 128S, nothing else. It has the correct Holley and intake.

[Clem Z.]

Re: 1965 L-79

On the front pad is stamped TO 128S, nothing else. It has the correct Holley and intake.

my book lists a "S" as 62-64,327,250 HP,PG,Pass car