I just came from a swap meet where a guy had a set of 70 L-89 heads. They were aluminum and looked very good but $1500.00??
Anybody looking for a set?
Ron

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70 Chevelle SS396
66 Nova SS 327
95 Z28 Convertible.
Aces 3081, TC #54 Gold

Ron, thats about right. I've see higher. GOt mine for $800 fresh. Man what a deal. # 074 castings same as L89 I believe).

Cant wait to see your Duece at TN.

I picked up a set of 69-up ZL1/L88/L89 service replacement heads (new with valves) p/n 14011077 for $1600.00 but unlike the "074" heads, these have "C" shaped exhaust ports (vane in the floor) as opposed to the round ones. NOS performance parts aren't cheap.

Isn't it debatable whether any L89's were produced in '70? Could they be '68-69 replacements?

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von '69 300 Dlx SS TC #15 ACES #1575

I dont know Von, but they had a 3 70 date code. I dont remember the shape of the exhaust ports.
BTW these were used heads.
Ron

[This message has been edited by ToocoolZ28 (edited 02-04-2001).]

Only 18 L-78/L-89 Aluminum head Chevelles and Elcaminos were made from the factory in 1970.Only the Chevelle and Elcamino got these heads,not Camaro or Nova.This option was offered very early in production,then cancelled in Nov.1969.The fact that the heads you saw have a 3/70 date,makes me believe they are over the counter replacements.Not taken off of a factory engine.I have found 2 of these cars,but the heads are long gone.Seems somone always robs the heads off of them.Probably because it was the most valuable part of the car.I assume most went to the dragstrip.If any where daily drivers they would soon be parted out for a more practical application.All the books and letters and manuals I have collected seem to show tht Canada got it mentioned more in their literature.Thus I would guess the majority of these cars were ordered up in Canada.$1500.00 is allot of money,but if my engine was coded for them and I needed to find them,I would think that is quite a reasonable price.HHHUUUMMMM,they sure would look good on my car. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif


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Rick Peters
NCOA#1670-ACES#175
1970...ON THE MOVE (http://community.webtv.net/rap3/1970ChevelleL78)

Rick - those heads would be an interesting addition (spelled more power) to your red bomber http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif



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ACES #4241, TC #947
69 SS Sedan (http://www.angelfire.com/rock/69ss)

Best check those casting numbers before making your purchase...

All Chevrolet models that were equipped with the L-89 option for model years 1967 to 1970 used one of two castings; 3904392 which was used in 1967 and 3919842 used in 1968-1969 (70?). Both heads were a closed chamber design with a 106.8 cc combustion chamber and 2.19"/1.84" diameter valves (these heads were the only ones to use the 1.84" exhaust valve in a production application). Both heads are very similar to their cast iron counterparts although I am told that the 842 head has a slightly revised intake port to improve flow. I understand that there is some discussion about 1970 L-89 Chevelles built during the calendar year. For what it's worth, L-89 Corvettes were being built up until the end of 1969 production in December 1969, so it appears that the engines were still available from Tonawanda for installation in cars at that time. I'm sure that there are those here more knowledgeable than me on the 1970 L-89 cars so I'll let them fill in the details on that topic.

The 3946074 head was an open chamber design that had a 118 cc combustion chamber and 2.19"/1.88" diameter valves (first use of the 1.88" exhaust vavle in production). It was used in second design 1969 L-88 Corvettes (1967 L-88s used the 392, 1968-69 first design L-88s used the 842), 1969 ZL-1 Corvettes and Camaros, and the 1971 LS-6 Corvette. Use of these heads in place of the closed chamber heads on an otherwise stock L-89 engine drops the compression to approximately 9 to 1.

The 842 and 074 heads were cast long after the L-89 option was dropped, so it is not uncommon to see mid-1970s (or later) dates. The highest prices are paid for unmodified and undamaged heads with 1967-1969 dates (although the dates on aluminum big block heads face the block deck when installed). Prices generally run $1000-1200 for 074s, $1200-1500 for 842s and $2000-2500 for 392s.

If you want the vintage look, but better performance, the 077 heads that David mentioned are the way to go.

Regards,

Stan Falenski

Toocool, I was at that meet in Nashville today and seen those heads. They were 842 correct L-89 heads but with the dates on them they were replacements for sure. Not a bad deal though.. Looked like some work had been done on them. Those heads are getting tougher to find. Figures after I got mine more show up at reasonable prices. Lots of 074 open chambereds out there. Great to see ACES1 there too.

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Micky Hale Restorations
69 L-89 Chevelle
68 Biscayne 427/425
34 Plymouth Drag Car
ACES #134
www.mickyhale.com (http://www.mickyhale.com)