I would like to thank you guys for the great response on my LT1 water outlet question. I have a friend who has a 71 LT1 that he purchased new, it has 30,000 org. miles, build no. 1010. His valve covers [ original] have the screw in chrome filler cap.Valve cover part no.s P 3932417 LH, P 3965543 LH,P 3965544 RH Could this be correct because of the early build date? Also his starter motor is a 1108400 dated 0 G 15. I am trying to Install the correct parts on my 71 LT1 no. 535. These parts seem to be different than what the book states to be correct. Thanks for any help Bob
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Re: Early 71 Lt1 Valve covers
Bob,
I would think the twist on oil filler cap would be possible as it may have been a carry over from 1970. My July 8, 1970 built car has a #418 starter which is not recognized in the Judging Guide for 1970 (only #338 is recognized) but it has July 3, 70 date on it. The common sense used in the NCRS judging system determined it was correct as #418 superceeded #338 and the date lined up with the build date of the car. Seems to me that a #418 starter would be the only accepted starter for an early or late 1971 4 speed small block car, however I suppose it would have been possible, but unlikely, to mix up a #400 big block starter with a #418. The starters were installed in St. Louis and not at the engine assembly plant. -
Re: Early 71 Lt1 Valve covers
Bob------
I would say that it's VERY possible that the valve cover could have been a twist-in filler type for very early 1971 LT-1.
GM #3932417 was the CASTING number for the 1969-only aluminum valve covers. However, I have seen it appear in conjunction with the 3965543, which is the casting number for the left side 1970 L-46/LT-1 valve cover. The 1969-only and 1970 valve covers differed by virtue of the fact that the 1969-only did not have drippers and the 1970 did.
The 3965544 would be the correct valve cover casting number for the right side of either 1970 or 1971 LT-1; the right side valve cover did not change for 1971 and was used throughout the model year.
It's, of course, possible that someone changed the left side valve cover at some point. This was a popular conversion for folks stuck with the "rubber plug" type valve covers used for most, if not all, of 1971 and 1972 small blocks.
As far as the starter goes, I would have expected the use of the GM #1108338 for an early 1971 LT-1. The 1108338 is a "standard torque" type starter which was also used for 1969-70 small blocks. However, 1971 was a year of "transition" as far as as starters go. Although the 1108400 "high torque" starter is generally considered to be a big block starter, I can tell you that it would be fully functionally interchangeable with the starter part numbers generally considered correct for a 1971 LT-1. There is absolutely no functional reason why it could not have been used. Considering its date code, I would say that there's a high probability that it's original to the car.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: Early 71 Lt1 Valve covers
Thanks for your input. I am using this car for somewhat of a guide, being mine was built a few days earlier. The owner claims the valve covers are original.Thanks again BobComment
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Re: Early 71 Lt1 Valve covers
Bob I am the second owner since 1974 of a 71 LT-1 build #1914 Sept it has a twist on valve cover oil fill cap most early LT-1 had the 70 style from what I have seen over the years I would have to look at the starter to make sure of the part number. Paul 18046Comment
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Re: Early 71 Lt1 Valve covers
Paul I have car #1919 build date B09 which also has the twist in cap on the valve cover..........seems like all the early cars had the twist in caps, I haven't seen any with the rubber plugs. (although I'm sure there are some)
Bob I just thought I'd post my two cents
MikeComment
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Re: Early 71 Lt1 Valve covers
Mike my build date is also B09 Brands Hatch Green, Dark Saddle, 4:11, M21, P/S, P/B, PO2, AM/FM, RWL Goodyear Wide Tread. The original owner purchased the LT-1 in Aug 1971 so the car was on the dealers lot for almost a year still in contact with him he always asks can he have it back for what I paid him in 1974. PaulComment
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3932417 vs 3932418 differences?
i know this message string is old but it took me this long to dig out my 69 valve covers---mine have a casting number in them of 3932418 for LH and RH---non dripper covers wondering what the difference is,thanksComment
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Re: 3932417 vs 3932418 differences?
Phil----
I'm not sure. Both the 3932417 and 3932418 casting numbers were used for 1969. However, either side cover could be manufactured from the EITHER casting since finish machining completed the oil filler hole and the "blank" was covered by the emblem on the right side cover.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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