date codes help needed
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 200
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From: Finksburg Maryland
date codes help needed
I have a 72 with an A16 on the trim tag. The numbers on VIN are 500198. From what I can figure out, its the 198th Corvette made for 72 but rolled off the line in August of 71. If I'm looking for date coded parts like a jack or carburetor,etc. what date am I looking for? Should they have a 71 date before August or should they show a 72 date and what months would be stamped on original parts for a 72 car made in 71? I'm confused.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
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From: Forked River NJ
You are extremly close to my car. I have # 185 off the assembly line for 72. An Aug built 72 has most of its components from a 71. Your date codes for engine parts should be about a month or two previous to Aug of 71.
I have always wanted to ask another early 72 car. The seat belt warning system was supposed to be used for 72. My car has no wiring or sensors for the seat belt warning system. Does yours have this? There would be wiring under the seats to the seat belt retracters. Not really a big deal but I just always wondered when they actually started to install these. My car is actually a LT1 Vert. Probably one of the first ones built but the car is so far from stock now it is hardly a LT1 anymore. Just the serial number tells the story of that.
I have always wanted to ask another early 72 car. The seat belt warning system was supposed to be used for 72. My car has no wiring or sensors for the seat belt warning system. Does yours have this? There would be wiring under the seats to the seat belt retracters. Not really a big deal but I just always wondered when they actually started to install these. My car is actually a LT1 Vert. Probably one of the first ones built but the car is so far from stock now it is hardly a LT1 anymore. Just the serial number tells the story of that.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Finksburg Maryland
Ok Thanks for the info on the date codes. That makes sense but I wasn't sure. My car is a base engine Vert.I'm not sure about the seat belt wiring. I assume it has something because there is a "Fasten Seat Belts" warning light next to the fuel gauge. I'll know more soon because it's missing the seat belts, so I'll be taking the seats out to install some. Not sure what I'll find under there. Thanks again for your help.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
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All parts on your car should have a date code prior to the car build date. Engine parts attached at the engine factory (Flint MI for small blocks) should have parts made prior to the engine assembly date.
In other words, your engine might be a few months older than the car. The parts on the engine cannot be later than that date and are usuallyy a week or three earlier
In other words, your engine might be a few months older than the car. The parts on the engine cannot be later than that date and are usuallyy a week or three earlier
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
The seat belt warning on the console panel was there in 71 also. In 71 it was on a time delay. The light came on for about 20 seconds then went off. In 72 if you did not attach the seat belt the light stayed on. So yours if operating correctly should come on for 20 seconds or so then turn off.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 3
From: Woodinville WA
The seat belt warning on the console panel was there in 71 also. In 71 it was on a time delay. The light came on for about 20 seconds then went off. In 72 if you did not attach the seat belt the light stayed on. So yours if operating correctly should come on for 20 seconds or so then turn off.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Austin Tx
I have a 72 vert built in Dec 71 (#9550).
Mine came with the retractor switches, and the underseat sensor, but according to the AIM - 'early' 72's have thermal delay, that turns on the warning light for about 20 seconds, 'later' 72's have the sensors on the seatbelt retractors, and the sensor under the passenger seat.
Mine came with the retractor switches, and the underseat sensor, but according to the AIM - 'early' 72's have thermal delay, that turns on the warning light for about 20 seconds, 'later' 72's have the sensors on the seatbelt retractors, and the sensor under the passenger seat.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
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