Matching Numbers on 72'

[Bill]

I am looking at a 72' roadster. It is in good shape. I want to be sure that the engine and heads are correct. I believe the casting number for the block should be 3970010 and the heads should be 3973487 or 3973487x. The car was produced in Sept. of 71'. The seller wants a premium for matching numbers. What is the appropriate date code range for the parts? I want to be relatively sure that these are the orignal parts.


Thanks


Bill

[Joe L.]

Re: Matching Numbers on 72'

Bill----


The block casting number that you mentioned, 3970010, is the correct block casting number for all 1972 350 cid Corvette engines. This block was used, though, from late 1969 through early 1979 in most Corvette 350s as well as many other Chevrolet vehicles. It is probably one of the most common 350 block casting numbers.


Your cylinder heads should probably be 3973487. The "X" suffix came along later in the model year and most likely wouldn't have been installed on this very early-build 72. Also, there are two other POSSIBLE 350 cylinder heads used for 1972, but they, also, didn't come along until at least several months after this car's build-date. So, discussing them would be moot.


As far as date range goes, my belief is that cars of this era usually had cast engine component dates of about 4-6 weeks prior to body build date. Of course, this is just a general observation of mine and NOT an absolute fact of life.

[Terry M.]

Re: Matching Numbers on 72'

Bill,


Although not likely on this early car, there were also some 3970014 cylinder cases in 1972 Corvettes.


Terry