61 FI question
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2006
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From: Minneapolis Minnesota
61 FI question
I was just looking in my judging manual. Is it true that some 61 FI had fins? I guess i thought they where all flat, am I reading this wrong? PG 52 ncrs fifth edition.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
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From: Taylor Michigan
Goes to show ya, the NCRS dont know their a-- from a hole in the ground. 
Typical however of authoritys who never owned one until recently but are now considered the masters or saviours of Vettes. This is what I say to that! 
Typical however of authoritys who never owned one until recently but are now considered the masters or saviours of Vettes. This is what I say to that!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,834
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From: Mobile AL
The NCRS Judging Guide is probably talking about the low-performance FI Corvettes built during the '61 model year. I believe at least some '61 Corvettes equipped with the optional 275hp fuel injected engine got 7017200 series FI units. And yes, these units had finned plenums. Later in the model year Rochester supposedly began production of the flat-topped 275hp injection unit, the 7310. I say "supposedly" because I don't know anyone who has ever seen an original 7310 unit. That doesn't mean they don't exist; it just means I can't personally confirm it.
The hydraulic cammed FI Corvettes had been very poor sellers from the beginning. Only about 100 were built as '60 250 hp models. A few more than that would be sold in 1961 (118?) before the option was dropped entirely.
I believe the finned-top 7200 units that were installed in 1960 and 1961 were just left over units from the original '59 Rochester build. Remember, 1959 was also the year GM installed the left over '57 4800 and 4520 units as the 7017300 series. During this period Rochester was determined to sell all the units they'd built, one way or another.
The hydraulic cammed FI Corvettes had been very poor sellers from the beginning. Only about 100 were built as '60 250 hp models. A few more than that would be sold in 1961 (118?) before the option was dropped entirely.
I believe the finned-top 7200 units that were installed in 1960 and 1961 were just left over units from the original '59 Rochester build. Remember, 1959 was also the year GM installed the left over '57 4800 and 4520 units as the 7017300 series. During this period Rochester was determined to sell all the units they'd built, one way or another.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,834
Likes: 373
From: Mobile AL
I guess the Judging Guide may be talking about left over '59 7250 units. They had finned tops and were calibrated for the Duntov cam. Sorry, I don't know if this series was installed on any '61 Corvettes.
Perhaps you should ask the NCRS FI specialist, Brian Futo, about the exact meaning of that section in the Judging Guide. His contact info is listed in the front of The Corvette Restorer.
Perhaps you should ask the NCRS FI specialist, Brian Futo, about the exact meaning of that section in the Judging Guide. His contact info is listed in the front of The Corvette Restorer.
