Rochester Carb History (C3)

[Ralph A.]

I am in the process of restoring a very late base 1969 (Dec 1st) Convertible with automatic trans. I have been looking for the correct carb 7029202. The interesting thing is all the ones I have come accross are dated prior to July 1969. Did anything happen in 1969 that would have caused this to become a scarce item?
Thanks in advance.
Ralph

[Dick W.]

Re: Rochester Carb History (C3)

While I cannot specifically speak for the carburetor, if you do enough research you will find that components like this were batch built. The plants did not build 5 carbs, 3 distributors, 9 alternators, etc on a given day. They would set up and run hundreds of like items.

You also have to remember that 1969 was a unique year for Corvette production, they produced cars from August 1968 through December 1969. It is highly possible that Rochester Products, or Carter who also built QJ's built out their '69 calibrated carbs by normal model year end. Maybe someone else can add to this.

[Chuck R.]

Re: Wasn't 69 a strike year Dick? *NM*

[Terry M.]

Re: Wasn't 69 a strike year Dick?

Yes, there were several work stoppages at the St. Louis facility in 1969, and there was one in 1970 and another 1971. More to the point would be data on work stoppages at the facilities which produced the carburetor -- both Rochester and Carter. I doubt the work stoppages at St. Louis have much to do with the scarcity of that particular Q-jet. My belief is that has more to do with folks removing the Q-jet and replacing it with another carburetor in an effort to gain a little more horsepower. But then everyone has an opinion....and you know the rest of that story.