1st design "three bullet" air intake vs. 2nd design "dual pot" air intake

[Donald M.]

First post; new member; new '54 Corvette owner... My car currently has venturi-type air intakes. I am going to replace them because I don't want my precious engine sucking up road grime and grinding itself into oblivion. Now, with what should I replace them? My VIN is ...2829 which according to the guide means I probably had the early bullet style intakes. Quoting the manual, "All 1953 and 1954 cars to about E54S002900 used the 1st-design "three-bullet_ air intake system." I consider these little better than open intakes. Since the manual says, "...to about E54S002900," and I am very close to that might my car have had the dual pot intake system? Is there any way to be sure? Would I be judged poorly if I installed a dual pot intake system on my car?

Failing that I could install conventional air cleaners and install a set of bullets only for judging purposes (quite a lot of trouble if you ask me), but I will not tolerate wholesale pumping of road dust, grime, sand, and other evil materials down my intakes just to satisfy NCRS. So there!

Don Moses

p.s. My "so there" comment was just me trying to be witty. This is a serious question.

[Mike M.]

Re: 1st design "three bullet" air intake vs. 2nd design "dual pot" air intake

my 54 , 2184, has about 35K miles on its engine since i rebuilt its 235 in the late 70's.its has been driven from md to oregon and then again from md to calif then md to lake placid(national conventions) since its engine was rebuilt. its obviously got the separate air cleaners, which i agree do little to filter debris from the combustion chambers. i did have to do a valve job at about 34K miles but the rings apparently haven't suffered from the lack of air cleaner function( no oil consumption and no smoking). if i were u and were gonna put 50K( in your ownership) miles on your 54, i'd use effective air filtration methods when driving and use the original type cleaners for judging. mike

[Donald M.]

Re: 1st design "three bullet" air intake vs. 2nd design "dual pot" air intake

Mike,
Switching out air intakes for shows/judging looks like the way to go, unless someone responds regarding the use of the two pot system, which is something I would be willing to do.

I am encouraged by your comments regarding driving your car. It is my every intention to put some miles on my car traveling hither and yon. My '54 is a beauty, but I don't intend to treat it as a trailer queen.

Don

my 54 , 2184, has about 35K miles on its engine since i rebuilt its 235 in the late 70's.its has been driven from md to oregon and then again from md to calif then md to lake placid(national conventions) since its engine was rebuilt. its obviously got the separate air cleaners, which i agree do little to filter debris from the combustion chambers. i did have to do a valve job at about 34K miles but the rings apparently haven't suffered from the lack of air cleaner function( no oil consumption and no smoking). if i were u and were gonna put 50K( in your ownership) miles on your 54, i'd use effective air filtration methods when driving and use the original type cleaners for judging. mike

[Harold W.]

Re: 1st design "three bullet" air intake vs. 2nd design "dual pot" air intake

Just saw this thread while searching for other information. My '54 is serial 2929 and has the dual pot air cleaner, and the Noland Adams book says the dual pot style started at 2911. I guess your car should have the bullet style. Are yours correct original units?

[Donald M.]

Re: 1st design "three bullet" air intake vs. 2nd design "dual pot" air intake

Harold,
I may have misnamed what my car had on it by calling it a venturi. What was on each carb when I bought my '54 was a short piece of tube the diameter of the carb opening and cut square on the carb end and at an angle on the open air end. There was no filtration material, not even a screen, on these tubes. Sort of looked like this...

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These are surely not stock on any model Corvette.

At considerable expense I purchased a dual pot system, original part. Should I ever have the car evaluated by NCRS I will probably buy a reproduction set of bullets and put them on for judging.

Since I wrote that May 3 message I have educated myself a bit more about what is and is not acceptable on a '54. My car probably will not rise to first flight standards in its current form. To the best of my knowledge all major components are correct with two major exceptions. I have a Corvette engine, but not correct for my VIN, and I have installed rack & pinion steering. I will run the car with Dayton wire wheels and radial ply tires, but I still own the original and correct wheels/hubcaps with correct bias ply tires. All of the gauges, wipers, electrical, radio, and clock are now working; again at no small cost. I am proud of the condition of the car as it is, but I intend to fiddle with this and that while I own the car with a goal of meeting NCRS standards as far as is practical. The engine and r&p steering will not be corrected. For everything else I am open to having it corrected. If I own my '54 long enough (I intend to die with it in my garage.) I may have it judged.

Thanks for your reply,
Don

Just saw this thread while searching for other information. My '54 is serial 2929 and has the dual pot air cleaner, and the Noland Adams book says the dual pot style started at 2911. I guess your car should have the bullet style. Are yours correct original units?

[Harold W.]

Re: 1st design "three bullet" air intake vs. 2nd design "dual pot" air intake

Thanks for the reply. It sounds like you had the kind of velocity stacks seen on multi-carbureted Ford flat heads and other old hot rods. The Corvette "bullets" we're made by Boettcher and had screens to filter out the big stuff. As you know, the dual pot has a coarse steel wool filter that was supposed to be treated with a little oil, like the old oil bath filters. The '54 engine serial numbers have some rough relation to VIN number, but according to the Noland Adams data, they're not in any close sequence, and vary quite a bit.

[Donald M.]

Re: 1st design "three bullet" air intake vs. 2nd design "dual pot" air intake

Oddly enough, the dual pot air cleaners are correct for the engine that is in my car. It is the engine that may not be correct for my car. Given the scant and varied information about VINs vs. this and that part I am somewhat hopeful that my car's engine may slide by if I am given benefit of doubt. Time will tell.

You are correct about the velocity stacks. That is exactly what they are.

Don

Thanks for the reply. It sounds like you had the kind of velocity stacks seen on multi-carbureted Ford flat heads and other old hot rods. The Corvette "bullets" we're made by Boettcher and had screens to filter out the big stuff. As you know, the dual pot has a coarse steel wool filter that was supposed to be treated with a little oil, like the old oil bath filters. The '54 engine serial numbers have some rough relation to VIN number, but according to the Noland Adams data, they're not in any close sequence, and vary quite a bit.

[Harold W.]

Re: 1st design "three bullet" air intake vs. 2nd design "dual pot" air intake

I had another look at the Noland Adams Vol. 1. My car has engine number 0646609, which fits the survey data, but I see that two very late cars had engine numbers starting with 064, and oddly enough, the VIN 1328 car shows an engine number 0670747. I'm wondering if that engine is not original to the car. My engine casting date is E134 (May 13,1954), and so it would seem 0670747 would be later. They supposedly started assembly in December, 1953, and so VIN 1328 was possibly assembled in December or January. Based on my serial numbers and various other dates, I've always figured mine was assembled in the June timeframe. I'd guess that the engine on yours is okay as long as the casting date is earlier than the presumed assembly date, which is possibly also in the June timeframe.

[Donald M.]

Re: 1st design "three bullet" air intake vs. 2nd design "dual pot" air intake

Harold,

My engine is 0600840F54YG and the car is titled with this as the VIN as was customary at the time; at least that is my understanding. The "other" VIN number from the door area is E54S002829. If I understand the codes my engine was cast on June 5, 1954 and the car was assembled on May 5, 1954. That seems pretty close together to me, but the casting date would appear to be after the car was assembled. Am I correct?

Since these dates are so close together might I get a pass on this engine being correct for my car?

Don

I had another look at the Noland Adams Vol. 1. My car has engine number 0646609, which fits the survey data, but I see that two very late cars had engine numbers starting with 064, and oddly enough, the VIN 1328 car shows an engine number 0670747. I'm wondering if that engine is not original to the car. My engine casting date is E134 (May 13,1954), and so it would seem 0670747 would be later. They supposedly started assembly in December, 1953, and so VIN 1328 was possibly assembled in December or January. Based on my serial numbers and various other dates, I've always figured mine was assembled in the June timeframe. I'd guess that the engine on yours is okay as long as the casting date is earlier than the presumed assembly date, which is possibly also in the June timeframe.

[Harold W.]

Re: 1st design "three bullet" air intake vs. 2nd design "dual pot" air intake

In Noland Adams Vol. 1, the only close engine number to yours is 0601233, and that VIN is 2542, which makes it maybe a month before yours. What is your engine casting date, which is on the block just behind the starter solenoid? A June 5, 1954 casting number would read F 05 4, May would be E, March D. How did you learn that the car was assembled on May 5, 1954? I'm not aware of assembly dates being anywhere on the car, and thought the approximate date range was deduced from the component dates, that is a little later than the latest date on a component. Also, why do you feel the dual pot air cleaner originally belongs with your engine? BTW, just saw a restored dual pot air cleaner for sale for $5200, at Grossmueller's. I'm always joking with my sons that my old Corvettes should be sold for parts, that is, when the time comes. Incidentally, I have had my '54 since 1972, and I also have a '65 FI coupe.

[Donald M.]

Re: 1st design "three bullet" air intake vs. 2nd design "dual pot" air intake

Harold,

From the block number, 0600840F54YG the F54 tells me it was cast on June (F), 5 (the 5), 1954 (the 4). This number is on the deck near the back right of the block.

I don't know if I am interpreting the car's build date correctly or not. I am using the same codes I used for the block number. The number from the door frame tag is E54S002829. Using the same system as above, E54 would give me May 5, 1954.

I do not have Noland Adams Vol. 1. It is out of print, and good examples run big $$$$.

I am basing the correctness of the dual pot system on the fact that my engine is a 155 HP version. I believe all of those had the dual pot system. I saw the system for sale on Grossmueller's. I was told by someone I trust that it is grossly overpriced. (pun not intended) My source referred me to a gentleman involved in restoring Corvettes who sold me a dual pot system in excellent condition. I paid $3250 for it.

I own the '54 and a '15 just purchased in July. The '54 is my one true and enduring love, and the '15 is my mistress. My goal is to own an example from each of the Corvette series. I could have picked a cheaper C1, but not a more beloved car. My fascination for the '54 goes back to my early 60s days in high school.

Don

QUOTE=Harold Wrede (1322);753737]In Noland Adams Vol. 1, the only close engine number to yours is 0601233, and that VIN is 2542, which makes it maybe a month before yours. What is your engine casting date, which is on the block just behind the starter solenoid? A June 5, 1954 casting number would read F 05 4, May would be E, March D. How did you learn that the car was assembled on May 5, 1954? I'm not aware of assembly dates being anywhere on the car, and thought the approximate date range was deduced from the component dates, that is a little later than the latest date on a component. Also, why do you feel the dual pot air cleaner originally belongs with your engine? BTW, just saw a restored dual pot air cleaner for sale for $5200, at Grossmueller's. I'm always joking with my sons that my old Corvettes should be sold for parts, that is, when the time comes. Incidentally, I have had my '54 since 1972, and I also have a '65 FI coupe.[/QUOTE]

[Bob R.]

Re: 1st design "three bullet" air intake vs. 2nd design "dual pot" air intake

I am certainly not very informed on C-1's however the Corvette birthday calendar lists your serial number build date as May 17, 1954. Typically when the car is judged the judges first look at the block number and if correct they move on to the date and then on to the serial number on the block. If the block is the correct type for your car you will get partial credit, I think it was 1/2 the value of the block which I believe is 175 points. It is possible to get a top flight award with an incorrectly dated replacement block. But the rest of the car has to be pretty correct.

[Donald M.]

Re: 1st design "three bullet" air intake vs. 2nd design "dual pot" air intake

I guess I've got some more to learn about how to read the code and which numbers to use. I thought it was all or nothing for the 350 points. Thank you for the information.

Don

I am certainly not very informed on C-1's however the Corvette birthday calendar lists your serial number build date as May 17, 1954. Typically when the car is judged the judges first look at the block number and if correct they move on to the date and then on to the serial number on the block. If the block is the correct type for your car you will get partial credit, I think it was 1/2 the value of the block which I believe is 175 points. It is possible to get a top flight award with an incorrectly dated replacement block. But the rest of the car has to be pretty correct.

[Harold W.]

Re: 1st design "three bullet" air intake vs. 2nd design "dual pot" air intake

Don,

You are misinterpreting the codes. The '54 Corvette engine codes all end in F54YG. F is for the Flint engine plant, as I recall. The date code on the block is cast into the block just behind the starter solenoid. The stamped numbers on the engine pad are an engine serial sequence, but do not include any date. Find that casting number, as that is the date you need. It is just above the oil pan "flange" behind the starter. The VIN numbers on the door jamb all start with E54S. It denotes the model, year, and St. Louis assembly plant. There are no assembly dates on the car anywhere, to my knowledge.

I'm a lifelong Corvette fanatic, actually since high school when they were first introduced. Since 1962, I've owned a '61, '65, '54 (my present one), '84, '88, '91, '65 (my present one), a C-6, and now have a C-7 Z-51 convertible. Not as many as some folks, but indicative of why my late mother always said "you have Corvette on the brain". She was right, and I have enjoyed them all.

Harold

[Donald M.]

Re: 1st design "three bullet" air intake vs. 2nd design "dual pot" air intake

Harold,

Wow. Thanks a bunch. Live and learn. Sadly the car is at the restorer in Fort Worth, TX, so I can't check the block casting date. As soon as I can I will ask Stephen to check the date code on the block for me.

I am in awe of your Corvette history. I want to add a '65 coupe for my next Vette. My C7 is also a Z51 convertible, arctic white with red interior to match the '54.

Don

Don,

You are misinterpreting the codes. The '54 Corvette engine codes all end in F54YG. F is for the Flint engine plant, as I recall. The date code on the block is cast into the block just behind the starter solenoid. The stamped numbers on the engine pad are an engine serial sequence, but do not include any date. Find that casting number, as that is the date you need. It is just above the oil pan "flange" behind the starter. The VIN numbers on the door jamb all start with E54S. It denotes the model, year, and St. Louis assembly plant. There are no assembly dates on the car anywhere, to my knowledge.

I'm a lifelong Corvette fanatic, actually since high school when they were first introduced. Since 1962, I've owned a '61, '65, '54 (my present one), '84, '88, '91, '65 (my present one), a C-6, and now have a C-7 Z-51 convertible. Not as many as some folks, but indicative of why my late mother always said "you have Corvette on the brain". She was right, and I have enjoyed them all.

Harold