Definitions please...

[John Olcott # 33092]

Could someone please define the following acronyms. RPO and WCFB. Thanks

[Jerry]

Re: Definitions please...

regular production option

[John H.]

Re: Definitions please...

John -


(RPO) is Regular Production Option - anything that was not standard equipment on a base model Corvette (or any Chevrolet model) and had to be ordered as an extra-cost option had a letter-number combination; such as M-20 wide-ratio 4-speed transmission, C-60 air conditioning, L-79 327 cu. in. 350hp engine, etc. On the price sticker and build sheets, each option also had a number of 2-digit alpha-letter ECL's (Exception Letter Codes) after it like AA, AB, AC, etc., which indicated its combination with other options that would physically change other parts in the car depending on the combination it described - generally things like wiring harnesses whose part numbers would change depending on whether they had to have additional circuits in them for different combinations of options - these codes drove the "Bill of Material" for the car, which drove the specifications, by part number, for all the parts required for that particular car.


WCFB is the basic description for the first generation of Carter 4-barrel carburetors "(something) Cast Four Barrel" (don't remember what the "W" stood for, but someone here will). Similarly, the next design generation of Carter 4-barrels was the "AFB", which stood for "Aluminum Four Barrel". WCFB's haven't been made since about 1961, and are now quite rare and expensive.


John

[Philip C.]

Re: Definitions please...

You got to do a little reading in your spare time; RPO regular production option WCFB abb for carter carb, Wrought Cast Four Barrel Phil #8063

[John Olcott # 33092]

Re: Have been reading...Now the questions

Thanks for the responses. I have been doing A LOT of reading in my spare time. Between the service manual, drivelines, and other corvette books that I have, I see those acronyms over and over but can't find any definitions. I figured if I asked here I would find out and by golly I was right. Now I have more spare time to learn other things.

[Ted L.]

Re: Definitions please...

Regular Production Option and Will Carter Four Barrel.

[Wally]

Re: Definitions please...

WCFB: White Cast Four Barrel, for the metal used for the mainbody and top castings,white (or pot) metal. BTW, please pay particular attention to the tightening torques for these white metal carb pieces, the metal will distort very easily when over-tightened.(48 in/lbs maximum, that's 4 ft/lbs, no more, on all fasteners.


AFB: Aluminum Four Barrel, made of aluminum.


AVS: Air Valve Secondary, for the secondary air brake type difference from the AFB.


TQ: Thermo-Quad, a really bad design spread bore carb with easily meltable thermo-plastic main body.

[James F.]

Re: Definitions please...

Ted's right on WCFB acronym, at least there is a second vote for Will.

[Wally]

Re: Definitions please...

You are joking, right?

[Richard E.]

Re: Definitions please...

Jim - A third vote for Will. On pg 6 of my Carter Carburetor Book (from the NCRS Library), it identifies the WCFB as standing for "Will Carter Four Barrel". Sure glad I run an AFB! Dick

[Jerry]

So then...

Does the A stand for Aluminum or did he have a brother named AL ?

[Chuck G.]

Re: Definitions please...

Over many years, I've heard all 3 mentioned...wrought cast four barrel, Will Carter four barrel, and white cast four barrel. Don't really know which is "correct"....I "go with the flow" when anyone uses any of the above terms for a WCFB. Chuck

[Wally]

Re: Definitions please...

The information I posted came out of a Carter book, I did not make it up.


But, you can call it whatever you like, right or wrong.

[Jeff]

Will, Wrought,White, 427 FI, who knows?

Yeah, but I have a GM parts book which lists: 427 FI. Even source generated books have discrepancies...


JP

[John W.]

Re: Acronyms Definition please...

I find this thread very interesting. I would like to compile a list of all of the acronyms that we use in NCRS and Corvettes in general. Try to think of others and post their definitions please...