Are 1970-72 Dual Snorkel Air Cleaners Dated?

[Mark E.]

The example below is for sale and is being represented as an original that's been restored. Near the carb opening at about 8 o'clock (in-line with the left snorkel) is a greenish ink stamp that reads "1 124 71". The seller says it's the shift followed by the Julian date.

I never realized these components were dated. Are they?

[R N.]

Re: Are 1970-72 Dual Snorkel Air Cleaners Dated?

The example below is for sale and is being represented as an original that's been restored. Near the carb opening at about 8 o'clock (in-line with the left snorkel) is a greenish ink stamp that reads "1 124 71". The seller says it's the shift followed by the Julian date.

I never realized these components were dated. Are they?

Hi Mark,

I can't comment about the date other than I've not seen a date stamp on the cleaners that I've seen. If I recall correctly, the originals have "wrinkles" caused when they form the area for the clearance at the rear for the distributor. See my photos attached. The repops are apparently smoother in this area. The other thing to look for on original air cleaner bases are the rectangular notches on the sides of the air horns on the snorkels.

The above air cleaner base in from a low mileage '72 base engine.

[Mark E.]

Re: Are 1970-72 Dual Snorkel Air Cleaners Dated?

Thanks Kurt. The cleaner I'm looking at doesn't appear to have the two features you shared, so I guess chances are good it's a repop.

[Alan S.]

Re: Are 1970-72 Dual Snorkel Air Cleaners Dated?

Hi,
The original closed base from my mid-January built 71 doesn't display either the notch in the snorkel seam or the ripples in the relief at the distributor. Notice the difference in the shape of the relief too.
Regards,
Alan

[Mark E.]

Re: Are 1970-72 Dual Snorkel Air Cleaners Dated?

Hmmm... Maybe more than one die or supplier used?

[David L.]

Re: Are 1970-72 Dual Snorkel Air Cleaners Dated?

The example below is for sale and is being represented as an original that's been restored. Near the carb opening at about 8 o'clock (in-line with the left snorkel) is a greenish ink stamp that reads "1 124 71". The seller says it's the shift followed by the Julian date.

I never realized these components were dated. Are they?

Mark,

Somewhere in my garage attic I have a 15" dia. air cleaner w/single snorkel from a 1970 Monte Carlo (VIN: 138570F102669, "08C"trim tag, 3rd week August) with a light blue ink stamped date code "1 231 69" (231st day of 1969 or Aug. 19, 1969). I bought it at a salvage yard in Oakham, MA, in Dec. 1993.

I also have a 1969 4 bbl. 15" dia. air cleaner with single snorkel stamped "1 93 69" in light blue ink (93rd day of 1969 or April 3, 1969) that I bought at a swap meet in Thompson, CT in Nov. 1993.

Dave

[Patrick H.]

Re: Are 1970-72 Dual Snorkel Air Cleaners Dated?

The air cleaner base for my 1970 Cutlass had a date on it, but I have not ever seen one on a 70-72 Corvette.

[Don R.]

Re: Are 1970-72 Dual Snorkel Air Cleaners Dated?

My early 71 coupe snorkel looks like Allen's. I have yet to see a date stamped on a snorkel.

[Terry M.]

Re: Are 1970-72 Dual Snorkel Air Cleaners Dated?

I have seen a few dates on the sticker on the outside of the housing, but never on the air cleaner base itself.

[Mark E.]

Re: Are 1970-72 Dual Snorkel Air Cleaners Dated?

My early 71 coupe snorkel looks like Allen's. I have yet to see a date stamped on a snorkel.

I saw Hugh Preacher's 72 BB at the Lone Star Corvette Club Classic this weekend. He's owned it since new, and said the air cleaner is original to the car, but was refinished. It looked like Allen's also- no significant wrinkles in the distributor relief, and no tab on the snorkel seams.

So maybe the one for sale can be an original?

[Mark E.]

Re: Are 1970-72 Dual Snorkel Air Cleaners Dated?

I have seen a few dates on the sticker on the outside of the housing, but never on the air cleaner base itself.

Thanks Terry. And I know you've seen quite a few. Dave and Patrick have seen these date stamps, but not on Corvette cleaners. Maybe other GM cars were dated like this, hence the confusion?

[David L.]

Re: Are 1970-72 Dual Snorkel Air Cleaners Dated?

Most air cleaners that I have seen at swap meets have been man handled, are rusted, or have been repainted. It seems that the light blue or green ink (or maybe it's really paint) stamping can almost be rubbed off although I have never tried to rub off this stamping. I have a 1973 and 1974 Chevrolet truck 4BBL air cleaner and there is a date code on the sticker.

Dave

[Mark E.]

Re: Are 1970-72 Dual Snorkel Air Cleaners Dated?

David,

Are you saying you have a 1974 Corvette with a date stamped on its air cleaner?

[David L.]

Re: Are 1970-72 Dual Snorkel Air Cleaners Dated?

David,

Are you saying you have a 1974 Corvette with a date stamped on its air cleaner?

No, I am saying that I have a 1973 Chevrolet truck air cleaner as well as a 1974 Chevrolet truck air cleaner with date codes on the stickers.