In 1987 I ran across this carburetor heat shield, it is shown in the Corvette Parts Book 1953-1972, published by Motorbooks International in 1989. It is illustrated on page 3-35P and is item 7. I bought this piece at a swap meet in Pleasanton, California. It is stamped with the # 3967491 and AM1 underneath. I am assuming this was for the LJ2 RPO 454 Tri-power version for 1970 that did not come to fruition or possibly the RPO LJ1. Mueller's book Corvette 1968-1982, shows the AIM manual of 1970 on page 61, and talks about the optional engines that were scheduled for production. Anyone ever seen this or have this part as well? Would be curious to have any more information on this neat piece of history!
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Re: Rare & unique corvette parts
Warren-----
I have one of these GM #3967491. This piece was, indeed, destined for use on the "still-born" 1970 LJ-2 (3X2 454) with NA-9 (California emissions). The piece was, consequently, never required for PRODUCTION. However, apparently a SERVICE inventory was ordered and stocked prior to the decision to cancel the option for PRODUCTION. Or, whatever inventory was ordered for PRODUCTION prior to the option's cancellation was transferred to SERVICE inventory. So, GMSPO had a stock of this "orphaned" part.
The inventory was likley small and, in any event, the piece was discontinued in January, 1971. I presume the inventory was small since you wouldn't have expected that many SERVICE examples would have been ordered by 1/71 to exhaust a large inventory of an item that never made it into PRODUCTION. It's also possible that by that time GMSPO realized that they had a "dud" in their inventory and scrapped or "otherwise disposed of" of the inventory. The thing that's rare about this piece is that it ever got into GMSPO inventory, at all. Normally, a part for an obscure item like this that never made it into PRODUCTION usage would be scrapped or "otherwise disposed of" before it ever got into GMSPO inventory. GMSPO doesn't like to have their warehouse space occupied by pieces for which there is very little hope of selling through normal parts channels/orders.
The piece is merely a curiosity; obviously it's not "correct" for any car that ever left St. Louis. I've seen one or two come up for auction on eBay. It may well be that if GMSPO "otherwise disposed of their inventory", these things may have gotten out into the "swap meet" market where they've "circulated" ever since.In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
Re: Rare & unique corvette parts
For those of us who have not had the pleasure could one of few post a picture?
TerryComment
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Re: Rare & unique corvette parts
Thanks, Joe. I thought you would have seen this piece or had one. I believe the one I bought 16 years ago, has been used, there are traces of the carburetor gasket around some of the mounting holes and it is in "used condition". Great story!Comment
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Re: Rare & unique corvette parts
Terry----
I would if I could. However, I don't yet use a digital camera, so I have no way to either take the picture or to transfer it to my computer. Plus, at the current time, my old Windows NT operating system "doesn't support" USB, so that's another complication even if I had a digital camera. Besides all that, this particular piece is in a section of my collection that is not very easily accessible. Perhaps, Warren can post it.
To visualize it, though, is quite simple if one is familiar with the carburetor heat shields used on other 71-72 Corvettes for 4 barrel applications. It's an aluminum sheet with attached gaskets for the 3 2 barrel carburetors. The configuration of the perimeter of the aluminum sheet allows it to clear all of the manifold and other peripheral component installations. It's really a very simple piece.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: Rare & unique corvette parts
Terry: I also don't know how to use my digital camera and put the image on the computer, or else I would do it for you.Comment
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Re: Rare & unique corvette parts
------What are the chances that the original manufacturer of this obscure peice had a light-fingered employee who wanted to get even for the low salary he was getting paid?............Bill SComment
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