NCRS 68 candidate
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
NCRS 68 candidate
Hi all,
We are restoring a 68 that was pretty much as original save some minor parts, starter,alternator, etc. It is a 390 hp 427 auto convertible and has been in the current , also the third, owners family for years. During the investigation we found all the major numbers to be correct although rust claimed the original fuel tank the owner removed and preserved the factory build sheet from the original tank. The dillema we need help with is the exhaust manifolds. According to the NCRS guide and reference manual all 68 and 69 Vettes had air pump emissions systems. This car has no trace of these parts and in addition the exhaust manifolds carry the correct casting numbers and august and september 67 casting dates but they are not drilled for the injection tubes. Any information to help clear this up will be greatly appreciated.
Best regards,
Mike
We are restoring a 68 that was pretty much as original save some minor parts, starter,alternator, etc. It is a 390 hp 427 auto convertible and has been in the current , also the third, owners family for years. During the investigation we found all the major numbers to be correct although rust claimed the original fuel tank the owner removed and preserved the factory build sheet from the original tank. The dillema we need help with is the exhaust manifolds. According to the NCRS guide and reference manual all 68 and 69 Vettes had air pump emissions systems. This car has no trace of these parts and in addition the exhaust manifolds carry the correct casting numbers and august and september 67 casting dates but they are not drilled for the injection tubes. Any information to help clear this up will be greatly appreciated.
Best regards,
Mike
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
All 68 and 69 Corvettes had A.I.R. irrespective of engine option or delivery destination. No known exceptions.
It's pretty common to see all signs of the system being removed. That's a shame, as replacing it will cost around $1500.
It's pretty common to see all signs of the system being removed. That's a shame, as replacing it will cost around $1500.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
Likes: 314
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
If indeed it still has the original engine, then somebody changed the manifolds when they removed the smog. Kinda silly when all they had to do was screw in some brass pipe plugs.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
mine have the holes plugged, and after checking I figured out the dates were not consistent with them being the original ones anyway.
I will say this - saw a nice smallblock 69 (or 68) at an NCRS regional and was kind of surprised to see a car being judged that was missing the AIR pump. I saw the same car a couple of weeks later wearing his top flight ribbon. I asked the owner and he said that the car was so good everywhere else it made top flight even after taking the deduction for entirely missing AIR pump.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,453
Likes: 461
From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
......and also the "base" 300hp 3spd manual transmission cars in '68 & '69.
...1969 was the LAST year for a manual 3 speed Corvette.
...even in the original '68 sales brochure it even brags about the "AIR pump" being STANDARD on "ALL" 1968 model year Corvettes.
Last edited by Paul Borowski; Jul 14, 2010 at 10:25 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
The exhaust manifold castings would have to be machined for those AIR tube fittings. Now, mind you, I don't know if this could be the case [or not], but perhaps those manifolds were purchased as "over the counter" replacements. Were there other '68 Chevy vehicles that used those same manifolds but did not require the AIR pump?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Thanks for all the help and information. We have located a correct pair of ex manifolds, now we need the rest of the parts. from the pump and mounting brackets down to the injector tubes in the manifolds.
Best regards,
Mike
Best regards,
Mike
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
Likes: 314
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Mike
You might want to consider installing the system as inactive. Forget the tubes inside the manifolds and disable the pump so it just spins freely. No NCRS judge will know it is not working unless you tell them.
You might want to consider installing the system as inactive. Forget the tubes inside the manifolds and disable the pump so it just spins freely. No NCRS judge will know it is not working unless you tell them.
