7L159893 - L78 short block

[1968RSZ28]

Your 396cid/375hp L78 short block is on Ebay...

Engine pad is stamped:  T0525MQ  7L159893
Block casting number:  3902406
Block casting date:  E 8 7
Seller id:  66ragtopvette
Seller location:  Ashville, NY
Seller contact info:  David @ 716-763-6200

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110370240308&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:MOTORS:1123

Paul

[1968RSZ28]

No sale on 4-2-09...

Reserve not met = $1750.00

Paul

[twol78s]

Shouldn't all LOS L78 engines be coded MR for smog?  I thought all LOS-built 67 Camaros were built with smog (RPO K19), and should thus be coded MR on the block?  My 67 L78 LOS-built car is an earlier VIN than the one posted and has block code MR and had smog (K19 on UOIT).

[bertfam]

Shouldn't all LOS L78 engines be coded MR for smog?  I thought all LOS-built 67 Camaros were built with smog (RPO K19), and should thus be coded MR on the block?  My 67 L78 LOS-built car is an earlier VIN than the one posted and has block code MR and had smog (K19 on UOIT).

From the EMISSIONS page:

In 1967 (as in 1966), emissions equipment was required only on cars sold in California. The California cars were fitted with an AIR system (Regular Production Option (RPO) K19), and the PCV system (RPO K24). All engines equipped with K19 had unique engine codes due to the required holes in the exhaust manifold(s). Also, the L26 (230 ci L6) engines with K19 used a different distributor and the L30 (327 / 275hp) engines with K19 had a different initial timing. Note that smog equipment was not required on cars built in California but intended for sale in other states.

Ed

[twol78s]

Thank you, Ed,
My erred understanding was that all California-built 67 L78 Camaros had smog and thus got the MR-coded engines. 
Are there any figures relating to how many total 67 L78 (4K) Camaros were built at Van Nuys, and what the breakdown between MR and MQ coded cars was? 
From DMV records, it appears that my car was first sold to a consumer through a Chevrolet dealer in Reno, NV, which makes me wonder why it was K19 equipped given that it wasn't sold in California.  I suppose it is possible that it may have been originally produced to be sold at a dealer in CA, but dealer transferred to Reno?  I have checked CA DMV records and there is nothing that I have been able to find showing the car in their records.  Sadly, the dealer in Reno is long gone.

[bertfam]

Are there any figures relating to how many total 67 L78 (4K) Camaros were built at Van Nuys, and what the breakdown between MR and MQ coded cars was?

Not that I know of.

From DMV records, it appears that my car was first sold to a consumer through a Chevrolet dealer in Reno, NV, which makes me wonder why it was K19 equipped given that it wasn't sold in California.  I suppose it is possible that it may have been originally produced to be sold at a dealer in CA, but dealer transferred to Reno?

That's probably it exactly. While I don't think it wasn't typical, it probably wasn't unheard of for dealers to transfer cars, so you probably got one originally destined for sale in California.

John, can you comment on transferring cars from one dealership to another? I know it's common nowdays, but what about back then?

Ed

[JohnZ]

John, can you comment on transferring cars from one dealership to another? I know it's done a lot nowdays, but what about back then?

Ed

Dealer trades were fairly common in the 60's, although less so than they are today. These days, either a dealer or a consumer can search regional and dealer inventories with a few keystrokes; there was no such capability in the 60's - it had to be done with phone calls.

[MO]

All 67 LOS L78 Camaro's intended for sale in California would have AIR and PCV systems (MR). LOS built cars ordered by other states would only have the PCV system (MQ).  No known breakdown that I have seen, but the percentage of smog cars (MR) has to be very low by comparison.