L03 ?
 

So did I get this right ... my 89 pickup has a 5.0 v8 and not a 5.7 v8 ???

Re: L03 ?
 

You sound surprised. Is the underhood sticker missing?

Re: L03 ?
 

Is your 8th character of the VIN an M? If so, 5.0. If it’s an R, 5.7. Assuming it’s the original engine

Re: L03 ?
 

I dunno? Probably never looked at the sticker if it's there. I got the pickup cheap from a neighbor after a divorce.


I will have to go look! :)

I found out later that the engine had supposedly been "rebuilt" which sort of scared me since he was a real idiot. One of the motor mount through bolts was missing! But the engine ran good and stills runs good. It's the rest of the truck I keep having to fix.

I was trying to figure out if it had a "limited slip" of some sort when I looked up the L03 code.

Re: L03 ?
 

8th character is an H ???????

Re: L03 ?
 

You could try checking the back of the block, if you can see anything. Drivers side behind the head.

Re: L03 ?
 

I found this in the link below,
H - 1.8L L4 (LUW)

H - 5.0L V8 (LX5)

H - 5.0L V8 (LG4)

H - 6.0L V8 (L98) SFI

Link: https://www.youcanic.com/guide/chevrolet-vin-decoder









.

Re: L03 ?
 

I think LO3 or L03 is the only Lxx RPO. The sticker in the glove box is in pretty bad shape.

It doesn't really matter except I always thought it was a 350/5.7. But now I'm just going to assume that it's a 307/5.0.

Re: L03 ?
 

VIN decodes change as the years go by so you should use a decode for you specific model year.
In 1989 the 8 digit H indicates a 5.0 V8 Fuel injected.
L03 = Engine, Gas, 8Cyl, 5.0, TBI

Re: L03 ?
 

Okay, thanks! :)

At least that matches up VIN and RPO sticker.

It doesn't really matter since it has plenty of power for what I do with it, and I've had it for eight years now and thought it was a 350/5.7 all this time! I could get along with a straight six.

I'm glad that I know now, and that I didn't try to sell it and tell someone it had a different engine than it does. If I can ever find a decent old regular cab 3/4 ton manual 4x4 then I will be trying to sell this one. It would be good for a ranch kid to drive to school or bus stop.

There was a really nice 89 K2500 long bed with a four speed :) for sale in town a while back, but it was another extended cab so I passed on it. I really miss not having a granny gear on the five speed.

Re: L03 ?
 

You're welcome.

The 305CID TBI trucks have a slightly higher compression ratio then the 350CID engines.

You may want to try running higher octane fuel in it and see if you notice the difference.

I have noticed a difference with a tank full of half the 87 octane ethanol they sell here and the other half premium. The light throttle pull away from a stop is much improved. Some of the stations here sell a middle blend that works well in these trucks.

The higher octane helps prevent the electronic spark timing from pulling advance because of light pinging, that can't even be heard, from the the lower grade fuel they sell here.

Re: L03 ?
 

That's good info.

Re: L03 ?
 

Sorry, this old beater ain't getting anything special. :lol:

Most of the time it's just chugging around on my property, hauling firewood, brush, fence posts, etc. Once in a while it goes to town with a load of garbage and to get filled up with gas.

Also, about 3500-4000 feet elevation around here if that makes any difference.