Carburetor Date Code Question

[Gregory M.]

I have a 1968 L71 that was built June 14 and only my center carb is original dated 852 (2nd week May?) The outer carbs are service replacements that lack a part number and contain a 4 digit date code.

Here is the 2 part question: I have a line on 2 outer carbs dated 861 (1st week June?)

1. For purposes of flight judging, would those be considered too close to my build date? I know 6 months is the acceptable window generally; and

2. Will I receive a deduction because all 3 are not dated the same? I have seen many "original" sets that do not have all 3 dates the same but are usually within a month.

Thanks to all in advance...

[Terry M.]

Re: Carburetor Date Code Question

I have a 1968 L71 that was built June 14 and only my center carb is original dated 852 (2nd week May?) The outer carbs are service replacements that lack a part number and contain a 4 digit date code.

Here is the 2 part question: I have a line on 2 outer carbs dated 861 (1st week June?)

1. For purposes of flight judging, would those be considered too close to my build date? I know 6 months is the acceptable window generally; and

2. Will I receive a deduction because all 3 are not dated the same? I have seen many "original" sets that do not have all 3 dates the same but are usually within a month.

Thanks to all in advance...

I believe those end carbs are dated appropriately for your car. Not too close at all IMO.

It is common to see a difference in date codes between the end carburetors and the center carburetor. In fact to have all three carburetors dated the same would rate "unusual" on my score card.

[Michael J.]

Re: Carburetor Date Code Question

I believe those end carbs are dated appropriately for your car. Not too close at all IMO.

It is common to see a difference in date codes between the end carburetors and the center carburetor. In fact to have all three carburetors dated the same would rate "unusual" on my score card.

+1, and Holley carbs were made in batches, separated by many months in some cases, so if they are really close to the build date, that is common.

[Gregory M.]

Re: Carburetor Date Code Question

Thank you Gentleman, and Happy Holidays to all.

[Gregory M.]

Re: Carburetor Date Code Question

As the saying goes you snooze you lose...the 861 end carbs are gone.

Same questions for 841 and 843 end carbs...with my 852 center that's three different dates...are the dates ok and how unusual are 3 different dates?

[Terry M.]

Re: Carburetor Date Code Question

As the saying goes you snooze you lose...the 861 end carbs are gone.

Same questions for 841 and 843 end carbs...with my 852 center that's three different dates...are the dates ok and how unusual are 3 different dates?

Since neither I nor any one else I know has seen all examples of 3-carburetor engines it will be hard to answer your question with any authority. That said, my experience is the two end carburetors are dated the same, but I (and I suspect most other NCRS judges) have learned to never say never.

[Gregory M.]

Re: Carburetor Date Code Question

If the "norm" is two end dated carbs with the same date then I am going to wait until I can get a set that matches...is that the consensus here?

[Terry M.]

Re: Carburetor Date Code Question

If the "norm" is two end dated carbs with the same date then I am going to wait until I can get a set that matches...is that the consensus here?

That would be my take, but there are a few other early C3 Mechanical judges who hang out here and I would suggest patience until they respond. I don't have all the answers, and you know what opinions are like.

[Chris H.]

Re: Carburetor Date Code Question

Gregory, my '69 L71, Oct '68 build, end carbs dated 873, center carb dated 881. Chris

[Gary B.]

Re: Carburetor Date Code Question

I would try to find end carbs dated the same, but not necessarily the same as the center carb. If you can find end carbs dated a few weeks before the center, that would be ideal. Not very often I see end carbs dated after the center carb, just not the norm. All said based on original unrestored cars I look at.
Gary B

[Wayne M.]

Re: Carburetor Date Code Question

Since neither I nor any one else I know has seen all examples of 3-carburetor engines it will be hard to answer your question with any authority. That said, my experience is the two end carburetors are dated the same, but I (and I suspect most other NCRS judges) have learned to never say never.

Here's an example of the two end carbs being dated the same (from a complete late 1969 L68 [400hp] tripower setup that I bought over 20 years ago).
Ends: 951 (1969, May, 1st week). Center: 981. ie August, 3 months difference.

[Mark D.]

Re: Carburetor Date Code Question

I have seen quite a few ‘mostly’ original 68/69 Corvettes and as people I respect have already said, typically the ends match and the center is a later date. With that being said, I have seen exceptions, albeit rarely. If I judge a car that is an exception, benefit of the doubt goes to the car.
I’ve seen a lot of cars but, I have not seen them all.
Regards,
Kramden

[Gregory M.]

Re: Carburetor Date Code Question

Great info...based upon a clear pattern of past experiences with different members the "norm" is that the ends should match and be earlier than the center...so the pair of 861 ends with my 852 center, while not "incorrect", is not what is normally seen.

Too bad the other set of ends is an 841 and an 843...if the end pair matched and was either of those dates it would appear perfect for the car...I suppose I should keep looking for a set of ends dated March or April.

[Gregory M.]

Re: Carburetor Date Code Question

It appears that either of these sets will not result in a point deduction...I am leaning toward the 841 and 843 as those dates seem to be consistent with the 852 center. Certainly feasible that a set of outer carbs are dated 2 weeks apart.

The 861(s) just seem too close to build date and should predate the center carb according to what I have seen...agreed?

[Guest]

Re: Carburetor Date Code Question

My end Carbs. are both 712 and center is 713 on my 67 L71