63 Fuel injection build date

[Todd L.]

Hello everyone, I am a new NCRS member and have just purchased a 63 split window fuel injected car, silver with red interior to restore. I have been talking with John Ballard of NCRS, and he recommended I reach out to the wealth of knowledge on the forum. I have lots of parts to put this car back together, planning to build it to NCRS standards, and need to know if there is any way to determine the build date of the fuel injection unit I have, based on the serial number? The serial # I have is 3102, and the model is 7017375. Could anyone tell me how to figure out when this unit was built? My car was built in December of 62.

I have already verified that I need an engine block and transmission dated before December 1962, if anyone can help with that? What I have are both dated January (block) and April (Borg) of 63, after this car rolled down the assembly line...

Thanks so much for the help!

Todd

[Loren L.]

Re: 63 Fuel injection build date

Is #3102 the VIN or the # of the FI unit? If it's the VIN, the car was built in early November; if it's the unit, it was built much later.

[Todd L.]

Re: 63 Fuel injection build date

Loren,

Thanks for your quick reply, 3102 is the serial # on the FI unit, just above the Part # 7017375. The vin # of the car is 104242. How do I determine if this FI unit was built before the car was?

Todd

[Joseph S.]

Re: 63 Fuel injection build date

Todd, Sorry to have to tell you this but that FI unit was built way too late for your car. You need a very early, low numbered FI unit. They started at #1000 so you should look for a unit that is numbered below 1500.

[Todd L.]

Re: 63 Fuel injection build date

Thank you so much Joseph, I appreciate your knowledge. This project is getting more and more expensive as I learn about all the parts I will need to make it a NCRS build...

[Harry S.]

Re: 63 Fuel injection build date

Todd,

Might I suggest you have the car looked at to see if it was born with Fuel Injection. If it was, then spend the big $$$ on obtaining the needed parts. If it wasn't then maybe it was one of the 250, 300 or 340 hp engines. I hope it's the FI engine. I mention this because, If you spend the big $$$ making it a correctly dated FI car and have it judged and the judges determine it was not born with FI. That is a big point loss as well as $$$ spent. If you are making a driver for yourself, then carry on.

[Todd L.]

Re: 63 Fuel injection build date

Thank you Harry, I talked with John Ballard with NCRS who inspects all the Corvette's at Barrett Jackson, and he said without a window sticker or build sheet, it's nearly impossible to know what this car was born with. From my research, the previous two owners of 35 years stated that it was a FI car. The core support has the opening for the air intake, and looks to not have been removed/replaced. Somewhere down the line a 350 was installed and the original engine/trans was tossed. UGH.. I am only missing the engine/trans, shifter and a few odds and ins. Everything has to be restored though. I don't know if it's best to spend an extra 30-50K on getting the correct dated drive line, and would I be able to recoup that investment? Or just put it together with the 63 parts I have, although they are a later date...

[Mark L.]

Re: 63 Fuel injection build date

Todd, welcome to NCRS! If you don't have one I would order the 63-64 Technical Manual from the NCRS store. It has the latest knowledge regarding your 63. Good luck.

[Mark L.]

Re: 63 Fuel injection build date

Todd,
Should have also suggested you order a Shipping Data Report. It will give you the dealer where the car came from and the date it was built.

[Donald L.]

[Todd L.]

Re: 63 Fuel injection build date

I have attached a picture of the core support, is this what you are referring to Donald?

[Todd L.]

Re: 63 Fuel injection build date

Thanks Mark, that was actually the first thing I purchased after buying this car.

[Richard G.]

Re: 63 Fuel injection build date

Welcome to the wondered mired history of the infamous 1963.
Way to many parts have an early and late version.
I just think of it as many changes without a cut off data point for an early car verses late.
You can't take too many pictures before you take the car apart.
The headlight bezels to the routing of the wiring are all different depending on the build date.
Late cars are slightly easier to restore as some of the late stuff carries over to the other C2's.
Gas cap is an example, seat belts another. Even the colors on the red line of the tachometer changed. I should have wrote a book on December cars!
To think about it in modern terms, GM was like a software company. It's coming to market, in late August, no excuses.
We will fix it later! And they did. Sometimes immediately, like adding the interference bearing fits on the rear axles.
Other stuff took longer. Some changes were for function and other because GM found a method to make it less expensive.
"And don't loose any bolts". And all the information isn't in the Judging Manual.
I would consider getting it judged as is. Great starting point and most judges love to see the cars in the unrestored condition.
Rick

[Todd L.]

Re: 63 Fuel injection build date

Thanks for the perspective Rick! Unfortunately I bought this car as a basket case, mostly apart. I guess I have a puzzle with no picture on the outside of the box to see what I am building. I really appreciate all the responses and information I have gotten from everyone today. This is going to be a long, but exciting learning journey!

[Dan A.]

Re: 63 Fuel injection build date

I have attached a picture of the core support, is this what you are referring to Donald?

A good photo, but the front side of this area would be much more helpful.