Vehicle Description
1968 Chevrolet Chevelle
Can you spell L79?
Nineteen sixty-eight was a great year to be a Chevy fan. The Camaro
had just experienced a successful inaugural model year and was due
for more refinements. The Chevy II was all-new, now with room for a
big block. The Corvette also had been completely redesigned and was
totally bitchin'. The Chevelle made it a troika - a new
semi-fastback design with more-pronounced coke-bottle styling
looked like it was carved from one piece. In engine news, the 350
from the Camaro lost its exclusive status when it was made standard
for the Nova SS (with the 396 as an option for the first time), and
the L78 396 received an available L89 aluminum head option for the
Camaro and Chevelle.
But hidden in that mix was a small block that once gave Grumpy
Jenkins the firepower to beat Chrysler's King Kong HEMI. That motor
was the L79 327. However, by 1968, the muscle car landscape had
evolved such that big blocks were ruling the roost. For example,
the ever-popular GTO made do with 400 cid, and Plymouth and Dodge
had a massive 440 that they introduced the year before. Prospective
buyers were clamoring for torque and image, and the L79 had neither
because it wasn't a 396 and it wasn't available in either the
Chevelle or Nova Super Sports.
The most well-known feature of the L79 engine was its
high-performance hydraulic camshaft, the first of its kind. The L79
used a wide bore and a short, efficient stroke. The four-inch bore
allowed for large valves, and a stroke of only 3.25 inches meant
the pistons did not have far to go to deliver massive power.
Details
The four-barrel V8 L79 engine had a top speed of 120 mph. It
featured an 11:1 compression ratio with domed pistons made of
forged aluminum and a small-journal crankshaft. The L79 had a
displacement of 326.721 cubic inches. It had a maximum horsepower
of 350 hp at 5800 rpm, and a maximum torque of 360 foot-pounds at
3600 rpm. Standard horsepower at 4400 rpm was 250 hp.
Production
Between 1965 and 1968 14,151 L79s were included in the Chevelle
models, with none being produced in 1966.
Features
Strong Detailed Numbers Matching L79 327 with 350 HP
Newer replacement Edelbrock 1406 4 BBL Carb On Original Cast Iron
intake
Numbers matching Muncie 4 speed
10 Bolt open rear end with 3:23 Ratio Gears
Power Assist Steering
Standard Brakes all around
Newer Tuxedo Black Strato Bucket Seat Interior
Full factory instrumentation with aftermarket Tach
Flo Thru Ventilation with Adjustable Dash Vents
Brushed Aluminum 3 Spoke steering wheel
Aftermarket Bowtie AM/FM CD/MP3 Stereo in the dash
Full length center console with storage compartment
Safety Guard Black GM Seat Belts
High Performance Custom Aluminum Radiator
Chrome Bow Tie driver's side mirror
Performance tuned dual exhaust with Chrome tips
Factory type GM Rallye Wheels with Trim Rings and Center Caps
Set of Matched 215/70/15 and 255/60/15 Blackwall Radials
Finished in Mirror Gloss Matador Red not the original color
