63 340hp intake 3794129, missing digit? judging?

[William B.]

Please review pics, Intake on my 63 is a 379412 ?? Missing the last digit (9)from the foundry? Can not see any evidence of removal?
If a foundry error how would this judge in Originality, I am not interested in the condition, would plan on having it reskined.

I am assuming you could take 20% configuration? or is this as it was delivered from the factory, or is it how it was intended to be delivered?

I am posting this for everyones thoughts, to confirm with the judging manual, I will replace the intake.

[Duke W.]

Re: 63 340hp intake 3794129, missing digit? judging?

Your distributor is incorrectly assembled and/or installed. How do I know? Because the VAC appears butted up against the intake manifold, and the plane of the cap window is not approximately perpendicular to engine centerline.

Verify that the #1 spark plug wire is installed in the correct cap position IAW the 1963 Corvette Shop Manual.

Then set the notch on the balancer on the correct initial timing value for #1 on the timing tab (12-16 for best performance) and remove the distributor. Verify that the dimple on the side of the distributor gear is pointing the same direction as the rotor tip. If not tap out the pin enough to rotate it 180 degrees.

As long as it's out you should go ahead and do a "blueprint/overhaul" which is an easy DIY job if the shaft bushings are okay.

I've started at least two threads on this subject that explain it in more detail and how to correct and static time the engine upon installing the distributor... easy search.

People, including "professionals" have been screwing up distributor assembly and installation ever since the first Chevy V-8 distributor was removed in the field and it's still happening today.

Some think that every part GM produced was "perfect". Nothing could be further from the truth. Unless a flaw affected safety, function, or was visually obvious to a typical owner the part was used. Cosmetic flaws that weren't noticeable by typical customers meant nothing! Any judge that would deduct points due to the last digit of the casting number being missing in the absence of clear evidence that it was once there, but subsequently removed should have his judges hat replaced with a dunce cap.

Duke

[David H.]

Re: 63 340hp intake 3794129, missing digit? judging?

William

Do you believe manifold is original to your car? Don't like seeing changes to an original car so it can match a Judging Guide. Judging Guides get updated, and history gets lost when original parts get replaced with "correct".

If you believe original, and if configuration is your only issue, then what?, a 3-4 point hit (out of 4500 total points) is not a big deal. i.e. why worry about it and keep your car the way it came. Others will chime in if this missing digit has been seen before.

If not original, then it still remains a minor hit, but becomes a points per dollar decision.

Might include date of engine build - may help others identify similar issue.

Dave

[William B.]

Re: 63 340hp intake 3794129, missing digit? judging?

Duke, thank you for the info, as of now I have just been gathering parts , have not driven it more than on and off trailer, will be looking everything over.

[William B.]

Re: 63 340hp intake 3794129, missing digit? judging?

Dave, the drivetrain has never been out of the car, complete original, that's why I bought the car. I think it is a foundry mistake, hate to change it, but why restore an intake that always will be questioned, judges will love to tell what they found.

[Joseph S.]

Re: 63 340hp intake 3794129, missing digit? judging?

William, Your intake should not be questioned on the judging field by any of the Regional or National judges. I can't say it's a common flaw we see often, but similar factory errors have been seen before. Keep your original intake with the engine. If nothing else, it's a great conversation piece.

[Chris H.]

3794129 intakes out there with the missing digit and maybe the JG should take note.

[Tim G.]

[Scott V.]

Re: 63 340hp intake 3794129, missing digit? judging?

I recently bought a 340HP intake that is also missing the 9. Just a you mentioned there doesn't seem to be any trace of anyone modifying the manifold - it's just not there. It is an early manifold cast in September 62. I plan on using it as is as I believe it is a casting error.

[Mark E.]

Re: 63 340hp intake 3794129, missing digit? judging?

Agree with the others... a casting flaw on an original part is a point of interest. In numismatics, flaws are studied and highly valued.

[Mark F.]

Re: 63 340hp intake 3794129, missing digit? judging?

I recently bought a 340HP intake that is also missing the 9. Just a you mentioned there doesn't seem to be any trace of anyone modifying the manifold - it's just not there. It is an early manifold cast in September 62. I plan on using it as is as I believe it is a casting error.

Scott,

that's cool...it would be very interesting to see what your date code is compared to Bill's...

Having worked in automotive Foundries myself, I'll bet they were run on the same day - and maybe even the same shift.

[Owen L.]

Re: 63 340hp intake 3794129, missing digit? judging?

Please review pics, Intake on my 63 is a 379412 ?? Missing the last digit (9)from the foundry? Can not see any evidence of removal?

I recently bought a 340HP intake that is also missing the 9. Just a you mentioned there doesn't seem to be any trace of anyone modifying the manifold - it's just not there. It is an early manifold cast in September 62. I plan on using it as is as I believe it is a casting error.

I think documenting both intakes here with clear and crisp photos of the casting #, dates, and any other markings is important for future queries and documenting the variances of what is "normal".

[William B.]

Re: 63 340hp intake 3794129, missing digit? judging?

My car was built nov 62, the intake would be dated before that

[Thomas B.]

[Peter H.]

Re: 63 340hp intake 3794129, missing digit? judging?

Hi Thomas. I Believe The Casting Date Is Under The Oil Splash Shield On The Bottom Of The Intake. It Is Held On With Blind Rivets
Peter 🇨🇦