© L79 Registry

A Little Tech & Trivia about the L79

Although there were engine suffix codes assigned to 1966 L79 Chevelle engines, Chevrolet production numbers indicate no RPO L79 options were ordered/sold in 1966 Chevelles. One speculation as to why no L79 options were sold in 1966 is due to the introduction of the SS396 series and Chevrolet did not wish a small block to be advertised with more horsepower than the newly introduced 396 engine; but again, it's just speculation.

In 1967 the horsepower rating of the L79 was reduced from 350hp to 325hp in the Chevelle line but remained at 350hp in the Chevy II and  Corvette. In 1968 the horsepower rating of the L79 was reduced to 325hp in the Chevy II but remained 350hp in the Corvette. Although the total number of RPO L79 engines is known in each model lineup for a given year, there is no breakdown of specific engine applications by body styles.

Model Transmission / Options Engine Suffix Code
1965 Model Year    
1965 Corvette 4-Speed, Hyd. Lifters, Holley HT
1965 Corvette 4-Speed, Hyd. Lifters, A/C, Holley HU
1965 Corvette 4-Speed, Hyd. Lifters, T/I, Holley HV
1965 Corvette 4-Speed, Hyd. Lifters, A/C, T/I, Holley HW
1965 Chevelle 3-Speed H.D./4-Speed, Spec. High Perf., Holley EC
1965 Chevelle 3-Speed H.D./4-Speed, , T/I, Spec. High Perf., Holley ED
1966 Model Year    
1966 Corvette 4-Speed, Hi-lift Cam, A.I.R. HD
1966 Corvette 4-Speed, Hi-lift Cam, A/C, P/S HP
1966 Corvette 4-Speed, Hi-lift Cam HT
1966 Corvette 4-Speed, Hi-lift Cam, A/C, P/S, A.I.R. KH
1966 Chevy II Spec. High Perf., A.I.R. ZG
1966 Chevy II Spec. High Perf., A.I.R., A/C ZH
1966 Chevy II Manual, Spec. High Perf. ZI
1966 Chevy II Manual, Spec. High Perf., A/C ZJ
1966 Chevelle H.D. 3-Speed or 4-Speed, A.I.R. ER *
1966 Chevelle H.D. 3-Speed or 4-Speed ES *
* Chevrolet production records show this engine in production as early as February 7, 1966 with a release date sometime in late February or early March. However, Chevrolet production records show no L79 options sold in 1966 Chevelles.
1967 Model Year    
1967 Corvette 4-Speed, Hi-lift Cam, A.I.R. HD
1967 Corvette 4-Speed, Hi-lift Cam, A/C, P/S HP
1967 Corvette 4-Speed, Hi-lift Cam HT
1967 Corvette 4-Speed, Hi-lift Cam, A/C, P/S. A.I.R. KH
1967 Chevy II Spec. High Perf., A.I.R., A/C ZG *
1967 Chevy II Spec. High Perf. ZI *
1967 Chevy II Spec. High Perf., A/C ZJ *
* Only 6 Chevy IIs are reported to have been built in the U.S. according to Chevrolet accumulative production totals
1967 Chevelle (325hp) 3-, 4-speed EP
1967 Chevelle (325hp) H.D. 3-Speed or 4-Speed, A.I.R. ER
1967 Chevelle (325hp) H.D. Clutch ES
1968 Model Year    
1968 Corvette 4-speed, air conditioning HP *
1968 Corvette 4-Speed, Rochester HT
1968 Chevy II (325hp) 3-, 4-Speed, Spec. High Perf. EP, ML
1968 Chevelle (325hp) 3-, 4-Speed, Spec. High Perf. EP
1968 Chevelle (325hp) H.D. Clutch, Spec. High Perf. ES
* Various sources list the HP suffix code while others do not. Alan Colvin's "...by the numbers" as well as https://www.corvsport.com/1968-c3-corvette/#1968_CorvetteMain_Specs show both HP and HT while the website http://www.vettefacts.com/C3/1968.aspx shows HT as the L79 and HP as a 300hp engine.

1965 and 1966 Chevelle/Chevy II valve covers supplied with the L79 engine were different from other 283/327 painted script valve covers.

File Photo - 01/11/2009File Photo - 01/11/2009

1967 and 1968 Chevelle/Chevy II L79 engine valve covers were simple chromed, script-type covers.

Corvettes retained their normal finned aluminum valve covers.

File Photo - 01/11/2009