1972 Corvette LT1 Engine Stamp Number

[Jim C.]

I have a 1972 LT1 Numbers Matching Car. I bought the car used as a numbers matching car and went through a complete restoration. I noticed that the engine stamp pad shows CKT with The T overstepped with a Y which it should be for a LT1. I had Al Grenning look at the over stamp and he certified it as a legitimate stamp.
I have tried to sell the car and potential buyers are backing away from it as a problem. Unfortunately I do not have the original tank sticker. The vin number and all other numbers and letters match except for the T being over stamped with the correct letter Y. I am looking for your expert opinions on this so that I can solve the mystery.Thank you very much and looking forward to hearing from you.
Jim

[Anthony F.]

Re: 1972 Corvette LT1 Engine Stamp Number

Hello Jim,

From a few sources on the internet, I found that CKT stamp would have identified a 72 Camaro Z28 with Turbohydramatic.

The 72 Camaro was not being produced at the time your car was being built due to a plant strike. They may have had a bunch of CKT engines lying around that weren't going to ever be used (73 Camaro and Corvette went to the L82 ). Someone made a decision to re-stamp some and ship them to the Corvette plant for use in the late-build 72 Corvette's. The Z-28 and LT-1 engines are virtually identical, but there were a few differences (air cleaner, carburetor, I think exhaust manifold ) that I think could be easily be remedied.

That's my guess.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1972 Corvette LT1 Engine Stamp Number

Hello Jim,

From a few sources on the internet, I found that CKT stamp would have identified a 72 Camaro Z28 with Turbohydramatic.

The 72 Camaro was not being produced at the time your car was being built due to a plant strike. They may have had a bunch of CKT engines lying around that weren't going to ever be used (73 Camaro and Corvette went to the L82 ). Someone made a decision to re-stamp some and ship them to the Corvette plant for use in the late-build 72 Corvette's. The Z-28 and LT-1 engines are virtually identical, but there were a few differences (air cleaner, carburetor, I think exhaust manifold ) that I think could be easily be remedied.

That's my guess.

Tony
The air cleaner and carburetor would have been installed at the car assembly plant, so no issues there. The exhaust manifolds would, of course, been installed at the engine plant; but as you noted could easily have been changed if they are indeed different.

I can't comment on the duration of the 1972 Camaro assembly.

Jim
I would think most buyers would accept Al Grenning"s certificate as authenticating the engine's originality. I am surprised at their reluctance.

[Anthony F.]

Re: 1972 Corvette LT1 Engine Stamp Number

Hi Terry,

I don't remember exactly when the Camaro/Firebird plant went on strike, but I originally wanted a 72 Trans Am. I started looking for one in May of 72, but there were none available at the local dealerships in NJ due to the strike. My next choice was a Camaro SS, same story. A Chevy dealer talked me into the Corvette, that's how I ended up with mine. I'm happy with the way that worked out!

[Jim C.]

Re: 1972 Corvette LT1 Engine Stamp Number

Thank you Tony and Terry.
I am also surprised at their reluctance. Many buyers are out there wanting a very nice car for a very low price.
Jim

[Terry M.]

Re: 1972 Corvette LT1 Engine Stamp Number

Hi Terry,

I don't remember exactly when the Camaro/Firebird plant went on strike, but I originally wanted a 72 Trans Am. I started looking for one in May of 72, but there were none available at the local dealerships in NJ due to the strike. My next choice was a Camaro SS, same story. A Chevy dealer talked me into the Corvette, that's how I ended up with mine. I'm happy with the way that worked out!

Tony
I wasn't challenging your statement about Camaro/Firebird. I simply don't follow those cars to the extent that I would have any information regarding production at their assembly plants.

Your speculation about the reasons to change the assembly code on Jim's engine is as good as any. There is also a chance it was simply miss-stamped as well.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1972 Corvette LT1 Engine Stamp Number

Thank you Tony and Terry.
I am also surprised at their reluctance. Many buyers are out there wanting a very nice car for a very low price.
Jim

There is always going to be "tire kickers". Hang in there.

[Anthony F.]

Re: 1972 Corvette LT1 Engine Stamp Number

Terry,

No problem, I didn't think you were challenging me. I was just relating my story (probably not interesting to anyone but me) for how I ended up with my Corvette.

FYI, you can find anything on the internet, here is the link to a NY Times article about the strike from 9/28/72:

https://www.nytimes.com/1972/09/28/archives/longest-strike-at-gm-is-ended-at-plant-in-ohio-after-174-days.html

As for my possible explanation: I thought it was creative, but we'll never know what actually happened. I like a good mystery.

[James G.]

Re: 1972 Corvette LT1 Engine Stamp Number

FWIW the Norwood Strike began around the first week of April.

If I am not mistaken the Flint engines (which encompasses all solid lifter Small Blocks) were shipped without exhaust manifolds.
Tonawanda Small Blocks were shipped with exhaust manifolds installed, they were painted along with the engine assemblies.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1972 Corvette LT1 Engine Stamp Number

FWIW the Norwood Strike began around the first week of April.

If I am not mistaken the Flint engines (which encompasses all solid lifter Small Blocks) were shipped without exhaust manifolds.
Tonawanda Small Blocks were shipped with exhaust manifolds installed, they were painted along with the engine assemblies.

The work stoppage was more than Norwood. St Louis and Flint and Tonawanda stopped at the same time.

Engines were shipped to St Louis with exhaust manifolds in place. Checking the AIM will show no part numbers for exhaust manifolds for either engine, and some drawings will show the symbol of a square with a diagonal half black indicating "supplied by others" which means the exhaust manifolds came from the engine plant. [Talk about a run-on sentance. My English eached would roll over in his grave.}