C2: L36 A.I.R. block on ebay

[Dan Pepper]

Item description reads:

#942 early 2-bolt main engine block, this was used in Corvette, Chevelle, Impala and? A rare early casting date of I-30-5, The pad is stamped with TI005IM, out of a Corvette with Vin#3206. It was an A.I.R. car! Is that car out there? The bore is .060 now and should run at that, its been magged and pressure tested, its fine. Buyer pays all S&H although I can deliver to Aug Carlisle if prepaid. Must be paid in 7 days or will relist!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=34202&item=2427389825

[Mark Gorney (35760)]

Re: C2: L36 A.I.R. block on ebay

Dan –
Nice find. Comparing the engine assembly date to the VIN derivative, 10/5/65 and 10/15/65, shows a ten-day Tonawanda to St. Louis connection. My SB was built almost a month before it met the car. Do you think the A.I.R. engines were assembled in batches?

Mark
#35760

[Dan Pepper]

Re: C2: L36 A.I.R. block on ebay

Mark-

I don't know if the AIR engines were assy'd in batches. It would make sense that this could have happened since they req'd special parts (dist, thermostat housings in some cases, exhaust manifolds, etc.). The ebay block I'd posted has a 10 day spread between assy and car vin/bday. My L36 has a 9 day spread: Cast date B17, Eng assy 0223, Vin/Bday 15521, or March 4. So these numbers seem to jibe pretty well. Is your car an early car?

As mentioned in our previous conversation, I have suspected that AIR parts (pumps, valves, etc) may have been mfg'd/ordered in batches since they were reletively small-run parts - especially those made for Corvettes. John Hinkley would probably know if this was the case or not. Think I'll post this question for him today.

Another member, Craig Schultz, sent me a link for yet another '66 L36 block:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=34202&item=2427389825

I cant get a good read on the numbers though. What do you think?