69Z Holly date code vs. build date of car?

[Dave69x33]

If I am not mistaken (and based on the 69 AIM), the 69Z List 4053 Holly carb was assembled during the car final assembly, thus should key of the car's build date.  What is considered an ideal date code for the carb vs. the car assembly date?  The same month or one month prior to the car's build date?

Thanks,

[jdv69z]

Did they make these carbs in batches?? That is, a quantity run of a certain carb for a given application like the 4053?  My 10B build Oct 68 Z carb's mfg date is 872? Engine build is 0912DZ. So carb was mfg like 2 months before engine build if I'm interpreting correctly?

Jimmy V.

[bertfam]

Yes, the Holley carbs were built in batches so it wouldn't be unusual to have a carb dated two or three months prior.

Ed

[Dave69x33]

About 10 years ago when I restored my Norwood, "05A" 69Z, I purchased a date coded Holly for my car, based on the recommendation that I needed to target the engine assembly date code.  My DZ is not the original engine, dated "V0211 DZ" (Feb. 11th, 1969).  At the time of my restoration I found a carb dated "8A3 (1968, Nov., 3rd week).

Since my Z is not a "matching numbers" car, it’s not a critical issue and the carb date code is in the ballpark for the date code of my motor, but I wanted to confirm what the "ideal" carb date code should be for a 05A car?

Thanks,
Dave

[bertfam]

Dave, since the carb was installed on the engine dress line at basically the same time the car was being assembled, to be "ideal", it should have a date code around April, 1969, perhaps even earlier. However, your November, 1968 carb is just a bit too far off to be "ideal", although NCRS accepts a 6 month span. But if it really doesn't matter, go with what you have, or trade for one closer to your 05A if it bugs you.

 

Ed

[fireZ]

I know for a fact that parts would often get shipped to GM and sit at the back of skid lots until someone had the get up to dig the older stock out and bring it to the production line. Not always did the oldest parts get installed and used first. It only happens that way today because factories do not sit on stock piled parts like would happen years ago. Who knows a part could be 1,2,3,4 or more months off the date of the car. Just the way it was.

[GaryL]

Dave, is there a VIN stamp on your block?  Your V0221DZ could be right for my 02D X33.

[jdv69z]

Dave, since the carb was installed on the engine dress line at basically the same time the car was being assembled, to be "ideal", it should have a date code around April, 1969, perhaps even earlier. However, your November, 1968 carb is just a bit too far off to be "ideal", although NCRS accepts a 6 month span. But if it really doesn't matter, go with what you have, or trade for one closer to your 05A if it bugs you.

 

Ed

Wasn't the engine started at the engine plant prior to shipping to the assembly plant? Did they have some sort of "cell" with temporary hook ups for this purpose at the engine plant? It makes sense the engine could not be shipped with fuel in carburetors.

Jimmy V.

[firstgenaddict]

Yes they were started with a fixture over the intake manifold that acted like or was a carb...

[JohnZ]

Wasn't the engine started at the engine plant prior to shipping to the assembly plant? Did they have some sort of "cell" with temporary hook ups for this purpose at the engine plant? It makes sense the engine could not be shipped with fuel in carburetors.

Jimmy V.

All carburetors were installed on the engine dress line at the car assembly plant. The hot-test stands at the engine plants used an adapter that clamped to the carb pad on the intake manifold that fed natural gas to the engine for hot-test, and each stand had a "slave" ignition harness that plugged into the distributor cap and the spark plugs. The engine ran for less than a minute - just long enough to check for leaks, noises, oil pressure, and to set the timing.

[Dave69x33]

GaryL,

What is the fat chance we have each other’s correct VIN 302's?!!!

My VIN, stamped on the bell housing flange, near the oil filters is: 1N9602218.   It was very hard to read but I am nearly positive that is the VIN.  The block is casting is P/N-3956618, date coded "A319", or Jan., 31st, 1969.

My Car VIN is N638712.

[GaryL]

GaryL,

What is the fat chance we have each other’s correct VIN 302's?!!!

My VIN, stamped on the bell housing flange, near the oil filters is: 1N9602218.   It was very hard to read but I am nearly positive that is the VIN.  The block is casting is P/N-3956618, date coded "A319", or Jan., 31st, 1969.

My Car VIN is N638712.

I wish. I have 9N613111. I am pretty sure my engine could have been early March also. The diff is early March. I am dreading the day I find the owner of the car that needs the DZ I have.

[Jerry@CHP]

Carburetors have to preceed the build date of the car, not the engine assembly date.  Many seem to make the mistake of thinking the carbs were installed on the engines when shipped to Norwood, they weren't.

Jerry