'72 LT-1 Idle Stop Solenoid

[Chris Baird]

Good news, I have the original intake and carb for my '72 LT-1. Bad news, I don't have either solenoid that goes with the setup, and I'd like to go back with the original configuration. Also, for the questions below it has air conditioning.

From the TIM/JG it says the TCS solenoid goes on the passenger side of the carb on an intake stud, and the # is 1114451. I saw this in the Paragon book, but can I get it from a GM dealer? Any advice welcome.

The TIM/JG is less specific about the "anti-diesel solenoid" on the driver's side front of the carb contacting the throttle linkage. Others seem to call it the idle stop solenoid. What part # is the idle stop "anti-diesel" solenoid? Again, any advice on where to get a correct one is appreciated.

[Joe L.]

Re: '72 LT-1 Idle Stop Solenoid

Chris----

The carb TCS solenoid for 1972 LT-1s was either GM #1114451 or GM #1114453. I have conflicting information regarding which one was actually used for LT-1. In any event, BOTH are GM-discontinued. The GM #1114451 was discontinued without supercession in July, 1989. The GM #1114453 was discontinued without supercession in February, 1989. So, you can't get either one through GMSPO. These "pop up" on eBay from time-to-time. Also, you may be able to get one from a used parts source like Pacific Corvette of Puyallup, WA or Contemporary Corvette of Bristol, PA. Dealers which specialize in obsolete parts might be another source.

The carb idle control solenoid for your application was GM #1114444. However, it was discontinued without supercession in April, 1994, so we're all just observing the 10th anniversary of its "death". The above-referenced sources are also applicable to this piece.

Another way to find these pieces might be a "cruise" through your local self-serve wrecking yard. These pieces were used on many other GM vehicles, especially 1972 models. Good hunting!

[Dick W.]

Re: '72 LT-1 Idle Stop Solenoid

The idle stop solenoid is pretty much a generic unit. I used to get them at the local Carquest store. I think that they were actually Standard Ignition parts.

[Gary S.]

Re: '72 LT-1 Idle Stop Solenoid

Chris, you may be able to find your parts in your favorite salvage yard. I had very good luck in the yard near me - finding a TCS solenoid. I was out snooping in the section that still had older cars and saw a suspiciously familiar solenoid. On a whiim I bought two of them for $1. I took them home and compared them to the one of my 72. Identical except for the mounting bracket. A little more tinkering and I found out that the mounting braket can go on two ways. I reversed the "new" old one bracket and I had a duplicate of the solenoid and bracket. A little cleaning and TLC and I now have two working spares. Don't be afraid to look under the rusting hoods and such. The number of treasures out there that are generic to our cars is amazing.
Gary

[Patrick H.]

Re: '72 LT-1 Idle Stop Solenoid

Gary,

Then you likely took one off a 1970 Chevrolet motor. The bracket is exactly the reverse of 1972 Corvette. In fact, when observing later dismantled solenoids from GMSPO, the number for one is on one side of the bracket, the number for the second on the back side. The "correct" part number is visible only when installed on the actual solenoid in the correct manner.

Patrick

[Patrick H.]

Re: '72 LT-1 Idle Stop Solenoid

Joe,

1114444 is the 1971 CEC Solenoid, which also happens to bolt on the front corner of the carb. It is NOT the 1972 solenoid. I can't recall the correct 1972 number (at work, no books).

Caught you?

Patrick

[Joe L.]

Re: '72 LT-1 Idle Stop Solenoid

Patrick------

I show the GM #1114444 as being applicable to 1971 AND 1972 Corvettes in references going right back to 1972. However, I also show another PAIR of solenoids being applicable to 1972, too.

Originally, the "other" solenoid for 1972s with Q-Jet was GM #7030604. That solenoid went through a variety of changes until it became GM #17111376 in 1988. The GM #17111376 remains available from GM to this very day.

The original 1972 "other" solenoid for 1972s with Holley carb was GM #6273914. That piece went through a bunch of iterations, too, until it also became GM #17111376 in 1988.

It may be that early 1972 Corvettes used the GM #1114444 and later used one of the above original solenoids. Or, it may be that GM information regarding the use of the GM #1114444 solenoid for 1972 is incorrect.

[Gary S.]

Re: '72 LT-1 Idle Stop Solenoid

Patrick, you are correct that the solenoid bracket has two part numbers on it. One on each side. If anyone is interested I will dig it out of the parts bin and verify the bracket numbers.
Gary

[Patrick H.]

Re: '72 LT-1 Idle Stop Solenoid

Joe,

The 1114444 may have been used in 1972 L-6 engines. At least, Jack H has previously told me that the 1971 Corvettes and the 1972 L-6 motors in other Chevrolet products used the same emissions parts. So, if listed for 1972, it may be for a different car.

I do not "know" of one ever originally installed in a 1972 Corvette.

Patrick

[Patrick H.]

Re: '72 LT-1 Idle Stop Solenoid

I've always wondered if an original solenoid and bracket actually removed from an untouched 1972 car would have both numbers on it. Or, did someone start stamping both numbers later just for GMSPO use? I can't tell you if my 72 has both numbers stamped, as I have not take it apart. I learned this info while dismantling a different one (1970 number originally) for use on my Cutlass.

Patrick