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1972 Vette date question

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Old Apr 8, 2021 | 07:34 AM
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Default 1972 Vette date question

I'm looking at a 72 and have the following data:

Trim tag D03 Nov. 3 rd.
Engine stamped V0917CKY Sept. 17 (Block is an 010) VIN tag and door sticker both have the L for a LT1.
No pic but heads supposed to be #487 H201, H191 Sept. 19 and 20 Seems odd if dated after engine stamp.
Muncie P2R29A Oct. 29
Rear end AB W 245 E2 3:70 rear
VIN sequence ends in 506397
Picture of tank sticker, hard to read but looks to have pencil mark 430, and supposed to be crayon mark 430 on floor pan area. Plus a 397 penciled on tank sticker, last three of VIN? At top looks like Date Received typed in date some day in December. Does show 3:70 rear and CKY.

How does this all sound.

Tks. Doug
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Old Apr 8, 2021 | 08:00 AM
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Would not be concerned about cast date differences between block and heads. The rear was assembled on September 2, 1971. Your car was built in the first week of November 1971.

Looks like you have found a gem!
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Old Apr 8, 2021 | 01:13 PM
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Originally Posted by DRC
I'm looking at a 72 and have the following data:

Trim tag D03 Nov. 3 rd.
Engine stamped V0917CKY Sept. 17 (Block is an 010) VIN tag and door sticker both have the L for a LT1.
No pic but heads supposed to be #487 H201, H191 Sept. 19 and 20 Seems odd if dated after engine stamp.
Muncie P2R29A Oct. 29
Rear end AB W 245 E2 3:70 rear
VIN sequence ends in 506397
Picture of tank sticker, hard to read but looks to have pencil mark 430, and supposed to be crayon mark 430 on floor pan area. Plus a 397 penciled on tank sticker, last three of VIN? At top looks like Date Received typed in date some day in December. Does show 3:70 rear and CKY.

How does this all sound.

Tks. Doug
Every time I go from “a to h” on my fingers, it comes out as 8. Every time I go to the 8th month it comes out as August. Perhaps I am doing something wrong, but I am pretty sure the heads are August cast. That works well with the rest, and is not after your September 17 assembly date. Looks like a good original one.
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Old Apr 10, 2021 | 02:39 PM
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Plan on a rebuilt 4 bolt main truck block, L98 aluminum heads, roller cam 1.6 rockers, headers and DPFI on the intake, and obvously HEI on the sparks......

helpful to do a serp drive too, updating all the appliances too.....

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Old Apr 10, 2021 | 04:09 PM
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On the pad where you found the V019CKY stamped, you should see another sequence in smaller font with the last 5 matching the last 5 of your VIN. If it does match, you likely have the original motor which you should retain as your car is worth a lot more with the original than any tricked up replacement.
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Old Apr 10, 2021 | 04:16 PM
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Also check to see if it has a date code on the carb air horn.
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Old Apr 11, 2021 | 12:45 PM
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We're you able to get the block casting date? Should be before Sept. 17th. Just another corroborating clue. Broach marks on the block stamp pad still visible? Overall, looks pretty legit. Hope it works out for you.
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Old Apr 12, 2021 | 05:08 PM
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An L in the Vin code for LT-1 ??? Very few if any Vin codes gave away what Engine the car came with Chevrolet. Pontiacs were different they did. L-88's L-89's L-72's never had any Vin Code clues. Latter on and more modern Cars are a bit better. The C4 ZR-1s and the C4 Grand Sports had serial numbers that told what they were. I understand that if Your car was originally exported .to Canada there is a way to look it up. The Bowling Green C3's ( mid 1981-82 ) have history of options available. If You see a date code with a Month of 8 that doesn't mean that its the 8th month of the year, it could mean it was the 8th month of production, with production not starting in January. An excellent Book on all this is is " Corvette by the Numbers"
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Old Apr 12, 2021 | 07:08 PM
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Cky = lt-1.
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Old Apr 12, 2021 | 09:01 PM
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Engine assembly date Sept 17 <----> car assembly date Nov 3. Red Flag #1

That's a wide spread, most of these parts were still warm from the foundry when installed in the car.


Engine assembly Sept. 17 <----> heads Sept. 19 and 20. Red Flag #2

Last edited by Mr D.; Apr 12, 2021 at 09:04 PM.
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Old Apr 13, 2021 | 12:19 AM
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Originally Posted by Gale Banks 80'
An L in the Vin code for LT-1 ??? Very few if any Vin codes gave away what Engine the car came with Chevrolet.
1972 VINs did indicate engine: a K = base engine, L = LT-1, W = 454

For example: 1Z37W2S520218
1Z(37,67)(K,L,W)2S5xxxxx: where the "1Z" indicates Corvette: "37" = coupe while "67" = convertible; "K", "L", "W" indicates engine; "2" = model year 1972; "S" = St. Louis; "5xxxxx" is sequential production number

Last edited by barkingrats; Apr 13, 2021 at 12:19 AM.
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Old Apr 13, 2021 | 07:52 AM
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Originally Posted by Mr D.
Engine assembly date Sept 17 <----> car assembly date Nov 3. Red Flag #1

That's a wide spread, most of these parts were still warm from the foundry when installed in the car.


Engine assembly Sept. 17 <----> heads Sept. 19 and 20. Red Flag #2
Yes, although the parts are correct I did not like the wide spread in dates. I declined buying this car.
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Old Apr 13, 2021 | 12:44 PM
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I have always associated the 72's with the Chrome Bumper cars and not with the newer era cars. I see the serial numbers changed in 1972 much earlier than I thought. I learned yet an other thing on this forum.
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