What's The Truth
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 361
From: Monson MA
What's The Truth
I am restoring a early 68 (Build date Oct. 67). It's a L79 car with a Holley Carb. So I was hunting an researching the correct carb. The specs I found say it should be a Rochester Quadrajet #7028219 DG. Looking at the specs it says this carb is Non-A.I.R. but correct for the car. The #703 prefix is with A.I.R. As I was reading a restoration reference it stated all cars had A.I.R. Know mine is pretty much all original with the exhaust manifold with no air tube connections. The book I am referring to is Corvette 1968-1982 Restoration Guide by Richard Prince. I have found incorrect information already in this book that other CF members have verified as being incorrect. Any input?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Every authoritative source I have ever seen says that every single 1968 model year corvette had the AIR system, including L-88s. I am sure there are some original owners that will claim their 68 never had it, and come up with a scenario that the guys on shift #2 took an extra break that day and had one too many beers and "forgot" to install the AIR, but hey, anything is possible. As for the correct carb#, would have to look it up.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 361
From: Monson MA
Every authoritative source I have ever seen says that every single 1968 model year corvette had the AIR system, including L-88s. I am sure there are some original owners that will claim their 68 never had it, and come up with a scenario that the guys on shift #2 took an extra break that day and had one too many beers and "forgot" to install the AIR, but hey, anything is possible. As for the correct carb#, would have to look it up.
Prefix code. "70" will appear on all late '60's Rochester Carburetors.
76 and later will start with "170"
2 - Decade produced.
702 - 1960's
703 - 1060's with A.I.R.
704 - 1970-1975
1705 - 1976-1979
1708 - 1980's
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,981
Likes: 6,207
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
According to the 68-69 NCRS Technical Informational Manual & Judging guide:
- "ALL 1968 (and 69) Corvettes were equipped with AIR."
I have found this to be consistently true, and generally its the type with the relief valve on the top.
-1968 carb listing shows 327/350 4 spd as #7028219 DG" Rochester, not Holley.
Black Book also confirms the 8219 Rochester for the 350 hp car.
I believe whatever reference you are using for "non-AIR" is incorrect.
It is interesting that your exhaust manifolds don't have the inlets. Is the upper small bracket in place on your block for the smog pump? A lot of people leave it on when they take the pump off.
You should post this question on the NCRS board, but I think the car should have an 8219 carb and AIR pump.
- "ALL 1968 (and 69) Corvettes were equipped with AIR."
I have found this to be consistently true, and generally its the type with the relief valve on the top.
-1968 carb listing shows 327/350 4 spd as #7028219 DG" Rochester, not Holley.
Black Book also confirms the 8219 Rochester for the 350 hp car.
I believe whatever reference you are using for "non-AIR" is incorrect.
It is interesting that your exhaust manifolds don't have the inlets. Is the upper small bracket in place on your block for the smog pump? A lot of people leave it on when they take the pump off.
You should post this question on the NCRS board, but I think the car should have an 8219 carb and AIR pump.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 361
From: Monson MA
According to the 68-69 NCRS Technical Informational Manual & Judging guide:
- "ALL 1968 (and 69) Corvettes were equipped with AIR."
I have found this to be consistently true, and generally its the type with the relief valve on the top.
-1968 carb listing shows 327/350 4 spd as #7028219 DG" Rochester, not Holley.
Black Book also confirms the 8219 Rochester for the 350 hp car.
I believe whatever reference you are using for "non-AIR" is incorrect.
It is interesting that your exhaust manifolds don't have the inlets. Is the upper small bracket in place on your block for the smog pump? A lot of people leave it on when they take the pump off.
You should post this question on the NCRS board, but I think the car should have an 8219 carb and AIR pump.
- "ALL 1968 (and 69) Corvettes were equipped with AIR."
I have found this to be consistently true, and generally its the type with the relief valve on the top.
-1968 carb listing shows 327/350 4 spd as #7028219 DG" Rochester, not Holley.
Black Book also confirms the 8219 Rochester for the 350 hp car.
I believe whatever reference you are using for "non-AIR" is incorrect.
It is interesting that your exhaust manifolds don't have the inlets. Is the upper small bracket in place on your block for the smog pump? A lot of people leave it on when they take the pump off.
You should post this question on the NCRS board, but I think the car should have an 8219 carb and AIR pump.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 258
Likes: 1
From: Wilkesboro NC
ALL 1968's had A.I.R. I have looked at a lot of '68 cars over the last 30 years and have NEVER seen an original car without A.I.R. The manual that all the Emission Inspection stations go by says that they were all equipped. I do not know your source of info, but it is dead wrong.
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
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From: Indy Indiana
check your exhaust manifolds. you may think they are original, but they may not be. they should have air inlets. check the casting numbers and date codes. so many of them look the same until you break down the numbers and dates,
CF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,325
Likes: 359
From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
As all have indicated, the correct carb for the 68 L79 is the 7028219 DG. NOW, the hard part is finding an original one. VERY VERY expensive. Be patient.
Also, BEWARE of some of the ones on Ebay. There is a group out of the west (Arizona and California, actually I think it is the same company) who is listing hard to find carbs like this. Most are fake restamps. Be prepared to spend some serious cash for an original if you are in a rush. I do know a guy in New Jersey who rebuilds for many major suppliers. If anyone has one, he will but rest assured it will be original.
Also, BEWARE of some of the ones on Ebay. There is a group out of the west (Arizona and California, actually I think it is the same company) who is listing hard to find carbs like this. Most are fake restamps. Be prepared to spend some serious cash for an original if you are in a rush. I do know a guy in New Jersey who rebuilds for many major suppliers. If anyone has one, he will but rest assured it will be original.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
The OP must also add the costs of a complete, correctly dated smog set up, plus correct exhaust manifolds. Ouch.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 850
Likes: 36
From: Providence RI
In fact, there were no Rochester carburetors starting with 7038xxx or 7039xxx; 1967 was the last year for the 703xxxx-coded carburetors (Reference: AC-Delco 9C Bulletin- Index, May 1985, p. 5)