Wanted Carb & Alternator for 1972 Vette

[Wes G.]

Hello, I'm looking for the following parts for my 1972 big block Corvette.

Rochester Carburetor # 7042216 Dated: H1

Alternator (61A) #1100544 Dated: 1J15 or 1H16 Preferably, unrestored. I have already checked with the following-so far nothing: John Pirkle, Chicago Corvette, Americas Finest Corvettes, Michigan Corvette Recyclers. I've also placed an add in the upcoming issue of 'Driveline'. Does anyone have or know where I could purchase these items? NCRS# 33239 Thanks Wes

[Jack H.]

Re: Wanted Carb & Alternator for 1972 Vette

Both will be a labor of love to find and fondle. The '544 alt on my Apr '71 is a service spare dated 2 E 17. I take minor deduct for it's incorrect date and drive into the sunset knowing someday/somewhere I'll find the fellow NCRS member to trade with and make us both happy/better....

The '544 alternator is a Corvette only Delco item, but it was used for a pretty long run on most all A/C equipped Shark cars. Recent rule changes in Flight Judging have separated the alt's date code from the balance of the assy, so you CAN live with service spare while you're looking for that correct/original item. No, this doesn't help if you're serious about MoE (Mark of Excellence) campaign and need every last point you can squeeze out. Welcome to the club -- maybe we'll bump into each other at a swap meet/scrap yard.

PS, don't overlook your local autoparts store. Many sell rebuilt alternators that have been down a commercial reverse assembly line. You'd be surprized at how many rare Corvette parts are lurking in boxes shelved for the ordinary Chevy passenger car application. But, this takes making friends with a parts dealer who'll trust you behind the counter to open/sort boxed inventory.

Then, consider using the Yellow Pages to call around as see if there are mom/pop alternator rebuilders in your town who routinely sort the 'fruits' of harvest from your local scrap yards. If you are honest and tell 'em up front you're willing to pay a bounty fee (say, $50) for the correct core, it takes little for the business owner to put an 'APB' out to his workers.

On the carb, have you talked to Jerry Luck who advertizes in Driveline? Jerry has an uncanny skill when it comes to sorting and warehousing Rochester/Carter Q-Jet cores for his internal needs....