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Old Mar 3, 2013 | 10:37 PM
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Default 72 Big Block Engine suffix

I just bought a 72 BB with its original engine and the suffix is CSR. It is a 4 speed and the "R" is for Air Injector Reactor. I know what that system looks like on the midyears but not on the C3's. Can someone please post a picture of a 454 with the AR system.

Thanks
Jay
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Old Mar 3, 2013 | 10:49 PM
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Looks pretty much the same as a midyear BBC system. CSR means that the engine was an LS5 with four speed and all California smog stuff, not just the AIR system.
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Old Mar 3, 2013 | 11:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike Ward
Looks pretty much the same as a midyear BBC system. CSR means that the engine was an LS5 with four speed and all California smog stuff, not just the AIR system.
Thanks Mike,

I guess that means that I am missing the smog stuff then since it looks like a midyear. Does that mean that it was originally a California car?
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Old Mar 4, 2013 | 01:52 AM
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All 72 454's had AIR.Do you have any paperwork or docs ?
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Old Mar 4, 2013 | 07:34 AM
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Congrats on the car! I too have a 72 bb! Great choice!
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Old Mar 4, 2013 | 08:08 AM
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The 70-72 NCRS Judging Guide explains the AIR system, finishes, etc. The 72 assembly instruction manual (AIM) has assembly diagrams and lists the parts and parts numbers for what you're looking for.

Pics here, but there are also pics of cars with AIR removed.


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Old Mar 4, 2013 | 10:13 AM
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I do not have any paperwork or documentation. I just bought this car to resell as I am very close to buying a 70 convertible. This was just a purchase opportunity through a family friend that I could not pass up. Whoever buys it is going to get a very nice original driver quality car.

Thanks to everyone for explaining the AIR system. It has been removed from this car.

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Old Mar 4, 2013 | 10:15 AM
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Originally Posted by deejaydu
Does that mean that it was originally a California car?
From the limited info I have here I believe so.
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Old Mar 4, 2013 | 09:05 PM
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All 72 big blocks, whether to California or not, had AIR systems. CSR indicates 454 with MT. All 72's had 3-letter engine suffixes. Your car was not necessarily delivered to California. Here are some pics of original AIR system on 72 CSR motor. Belts are wrong, plastic tie is wrong.,
,
,
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Old Mar 4, 2013 | 09:28 PM
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the R means a Rochester carb
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Old Mar 4, 2013 | 09:35 PM
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My system is off my car right now. If you want a complete set of pictures, send me your private e-mail in a PM and I will send you over aset of pictures.

I have a extra smog set=up for an early built 72, 454 if you need some parts.
An LT-1 set-up as well.
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Old Mar 4, 2013 | 09:41 PM
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Originally Posted by 62corvette
All 72 big blocks, whether to California or not, had AIR systems. CSR indicates 454 with MT. All 72's had 3-letter engine suffixes. Your car was not necessarily delivered to California.
You're right that all '72 LS-5 engines had AIR. My info shows two different codes for 4 speed versions- CPH and CSR. The only difference is that CSR specifically mentions RPO K19 whereas CPH does not. Seems redundant to mention K19 as that was obviously basic to the CPH version and all LS-5.

There's then a footnote stating that California cars also had a slightly different cam grind with greater valve overlap, called out as RPO NB2 which included K19.

Putting 2 and 2 together and getting 5, would the CSR represent the NB2 config for Califonia, or the more common 49 state version? Dunno.

Last edited by Mike Ward; Mar 4, 2013 at 11:03 PM.
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Old Mar 4, 2013 | 10:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Nowhere Man
the R means a Rochester carb
Not so. In 72, CDH CDJ CKW CKX CPH CPJ CRS CSR CSS all have Rochester carbs.
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Old Mar 5, 2013 | 12:24 AM
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Originally Posted by 62corvette
All 72 big blocks, whether to California or not, had AIR systems. CSR indicates 454 with MT. All 72's had 3-letter engine suffixes. Your car was not necessarily delivered to California. Here are some pics of original AIR system on 72 CSR motor. Belts are wrong, plastic tie is wrong.,
,
,
I definetly do not have all of that stuff. I do not see how they could have run the fuel line to the carb. Is the rubber line the fuel line going to the car?
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Old Mar 5, 2013 | 12:26 AM
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Originally Posted by L84s R Us
My system is off my car right now. If you want a complete set of pictures, send me your private e-mail in a PM and I will send you over aset of pictures.

I have a extra smog set=up for an early built 72, 454 if you need some parts.
An LT-1 set-up as well.
Thank you so much for the offer for the smog setup. I will be selling this car very soon so I do not think that I will tackle that job.
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Old Mar 5, 2013 | 12:29 AM
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Thanks guys for all of the great inputs and pictures. I hope that someone on this forum buys this car because it is a nice car. I am doing a few things to it now but I will be done in a week or so and then away she goes so that I can hopefully but the 70 convertible that I am really after.

I only bought this 72 because it was from a family friend who did not want to deal with the public selling it. She knows that I bought it to resell.
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Old Mar 5, 2013 | 12:51 AM
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From: YANKEES UNIVERSE 70 454-LS5 500 ft-lbs Torque
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62 corvette,can you post pics of the engine compartment of that 454 ? Looks like a very original example.
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Old Mar 5, 2013 | 06:20 PM
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Originally Posted by 62corvette
Not so. In 72, CDH CDJ CKW CKX CPH CPJ CRS CSR CSS all have Rochester carbs.
I was thinking earlier cars.
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