Author Topic: Is this an L89 aluminum head eng.?  (Read 13661 times)

quelm

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 4
    • View Profile
Is this an L89 aluminum head eng.?
« on: July 13, 2009, 05:03:48 AM »
Code on engine is T0329MT engine is a 396 with aluminum heads '68 396 SS car. Rect. port heads with option 5L89AA on build sheet.

KurtS

  • CRG Coordinator
  • *****
  • Posts: 5884
    • View Profile
Re: Is this an L89 aluminum head eng.?
« Reply #1 on: July 13, 2009, 06:51:26 AM »
The engine code is L89.
I'd have to see a picture of the build sheet, but I have my doubts. 1st gens didn't have build sheets, they had broadcast sheets.
I'd also be curious to see a pic of the engine pad.
Kurt S
CRG

quelm

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 4
    • View Profile
Re: Is this an L89 aluminum head eng.?
« Reply #2 on: July 13, 2009, 02:45:38 PM »
I called it a build sheet but it is actually the window sticker with the 5L89aa and the cost of that option is there also. The car has been in the family for over thirty years. I have spent hours matching the numbers and everything per this sites info seems to be correct. The car has 26k original miles on it. I do not feel to comfortable disclosing to much info about this car online but I really would like to know for sure it is what i think it is. This car has only seen 2k miles in the last thirty years is was purchased for 18k in '84. Ireally donot see anyone going through that much trouble to fake this thing to only make 18k?   If this is an all original 26k '68 396 L89 car with perfect interior how much could it be worth? Thank you for all your info.

bcmiller

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4011
    • View Profile
Re: Is this an L89 aluminum head eng.?
« Reply #3 on: July 13, 2009, 08:05:37 PM »
Is there any chance you can check with the dealership that sold the car originally to see if they have any records of it?

Are you trying to buy the car?  Is it still in the family?

I have my doubts too, but I am very interested and would like to know more. 

Check the date code on the block and heads.  Does the partial VIN on the block match the VIN of the car?


Bryon / 1968 Camaro SS 396 coupe - now old school 468 big block
1967 Camaro RS/SS 396 coupe L35/M40 - 4 generation family project
Looking for 68 Camaro with body # NOR 181016

KurtS

  • CRG Coordinator
  • *****
  • Posts: 5884
    • View Profile
Re: Is this an L89 aluminum head eng.?
« Reply #4 on: July 14, 2009, 02:41:53 AM »
Email sent.
Kurt S
CRG

quelm

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 4
    • View Profile
Re: Is this an L89 aluminum head eng.?
« Reply #5 on: July 14, 2009, 03:59:39 AM »
Ok I have the protect-o-plate in the back of the protection plan. All numbers on the plate the cowl and the partial vin on the block match. Is this possible to fake? 

bcmiller

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4011
    • View Profile
Re: Is this an L89 aluminum head eng.?
« Reply #6 on: July 14, 2009, 09:53:06 PM »
quelm,

Did you respond to the email from Kurt?

It is sad, but yes - if money is involved people try to fake stamps all the time.

For a rare car like you might have, I woud trace things back to the original dealership to be sure.
Bryon / 1968 Camaro SS 396 coupe - now old school 468 big block
1967 Camaro RS/SS 396 coupe L35/M40 - 4 generation family project
Looking for 68 Camaro with body # NOR 181016

wagonman

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 14
    • View Profile
    • 1968 Z/28 Crossram Convertible
Re: Is this an L89 aluminum head eng.?
« Reply #7 on: July 15, 2009, 02:36:07 AM »
Ok I have the protect-o-plate in the back of the protection plan. All numbers on the plate the cowl and the partial vin on the block match. Is this possible to fake? 


It most certainly is!
I was told by a good freind recently:

"NO NUMBERS..........NO WORRIES"........

quelm

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 4
    • View Profile
Re: Is this an L89 aluminum head eng.?
« Reply #8 on: July 15, 2009, 03:04:25 AM »
Ok if none of these things matter then how do you find out for sure if you hit a dead end with the dealership? The protect-o-plate has the original purchasers name Dymo taped backwards on it. I will try to find this person i suppose.

wagonman

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 14
    • View Profile
    • 1968 Z/28 Crossram Convertible
Re: Is this an L89 aluminum head eng.?
« Reply #9 on: July 15, 2009, 03:59:06 AM »
Ownership history is the key element!
I was told by a good freind recently:

"NO NUMBERS..........NO WORRIES"........

KurtS

  • CRG Coordinator
  • *****
  • Posts: 5884
    • View Profile
Re: Is this an L89 aluminum head eng.?
« Reply #10 on: July 15, 2009, 07:00:45 AM »
POP's are easy to fake.
Window stickers are more difficult, which is why I asked about it first. :)
Kurt S
CRG

firstgenaddict

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2882
  • caretaker of 1971 LT1's 11130 & 21783
    • View Profile
    • Groome Family Automobiles
Re: Is this an L89 aluminum head eng.?
« Reply #11 on: September 26, 2009, 07:12:18 AM »
Does it have the original 68 owners manual with the pierced vin through all the pages?
James
Collectin' Camaro's since "Only Rednecks drove them"
Current caretaker of 1971 LT1's - 11130 and 21783 Check out the Black 69 RS/Z28 45k mile Survivor and the Lemans Blue 69 Z 10D frame off...
https://plus.google.com/photos/112392262205377424364/albums?banner=pwa

Oaklyss

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 158
    • View Profile
Re: Is this an L89 aluminum head eng.?
« Reply #12 on: September 26, 2009, 09:36:40 PM »
"The car has been in the family for over thirty years. I have spent hours matching the numbers and everything per this sites info seems to be correct. The car has 26k original miles on it. I do not feel to comfortable disclosing to much info about this car online but I really would like to know for sure it is what i think it is. This car has only seen 2k miles in the last thirty years is was purchased for 18k in '84."

Please clairify, did someone in your family purchase this car in 1984 (25 years ago) for $18,000? or was it in the family for 30 years? Also, $18,000 for a Camaro in 1984 (before the first Muscle Car price run up in the late 80's) would be unheard of. These car were not collector cars yet at that time. If this car was in your family for 30 years, I do not think anything would be faked.
69 RSSS ZL-2 4 speed, mint unrestored 04A LA built-SOLD
1968 GTCS mint unrestored original paint
1972 AMX 401 4 speed, cowl induction, twin-grip, A/C, unrestored, original paint
1963 Oldsmobile Jetfire factory Turbo and Methanol injection, 4 speed, posi, 1 of 4 known to exist

68Zproject

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1868
    • View Profile
Re: Is this an L89 aluminum head eng.?
« Reply #13 on: September 26, 2009, 11:21:09 PM »
Ok if none of these things matter then how do you find out for sure if you hit a dead end with the dealership? The protect-o-plate has the original purchasers name Dymo taped backwards on it. I will try to find this person i suppose.

I don't know if you're still in contact with Kurt or not.  But, if you don't want to make the info public. deal with him by e-mail.  You can trust him.  He has a lot of info on cars and it doesn't go anywhere unless you tell him it's OK.
68Z28

KurtS

  • CRG Coordinator
  • *****
  • Posts: 5884
    • View Profile
Re: Is this an L89 aluminum head eng.?
« Reply #14 on: September 27, 2009, 02:10:18 AM »
You can trust him.  He has a lot of info on cars and it doesn't go anywhere unless you tell him it's OK.
It's even simpler than that. Car data doesn't go anywhere, no matter what. :)

I never heard back from him.
Kurt S
CRG