Carter AFB date versus car assembly date question

[Garry B.]

I have a mid June '64 that I am trying to locate the correct Carter AFB 3720 SA carb for. My question is, what is the typical time lapse between the carb manufactured date and the car assembly date? I know that there is a six month allowance on most dated components, but I want real world date alignment. I am guessing that an E4 (May would be ideal). Would an F4 (June) be too tight for a mid June assembled car? I would guess the carb 3721SA for manual transmission was a higher demand carb and inventories would have been less, but don't know if that same rationale applies to the automatic transmission carb. Anyone out there with a '64 with original carb? Would love to know carb date vs assembly date. Thanks.
Garry Barnes 18531

[Peter M.]

Re: Carter AFB date versus car assembly date question

Garry,
There is a example in Noland's book.
Sorry I can't be more help.
Kind regards.

[James W.]

[Duke W.]

Re: Carter AFB date versus car assembly date question

"I would guess the carb 3721SA for manual transmission was a higher demand carb and inventories would have been less, but don't know if that same rationale applies to the automatic transmission carb."

Good call...as a general rule, the lower the option frequency, the greater the average delta between the vehicle and component build date. The plant ordered parts based on anticipated demand in the next one to few months and specific engines/carbs... whatever were usually built in batches to fulfill the plant order.

Since the 300HP/MT combination was the most frequent drivetrain, the delta between the 3721... and build date would very likely be less than 3720... used on the 300HP/PG drivetrain, but I can't quantify it.

Your best bet is to find one or more 300HP/PG option cars with known original carbs close to your build date and use that as a guideline. If you can't find such, then a April or May or even March carb would likely not raise any eyebrows.

Duke

[Garry B.]

Re: Carter AFB date versus car assembly date question

James, knowing that the carbs were dated with January starting with A, I assume that your carb will most likely have a very late '63 date such as a J3,K3 or M3. Very interested in knowing what you have. Thanks.
Garry 18531

[Garry B.]

Re: Carter AFB date versus car assembly date question

Duke, thanks for confirming my suspicions. Data says that there were only 2450 Powerglides ordered in '64, so it was a pretty easy conclusion.

[James W.]

Re: Carter AFB date versus car assembly date question

Gary,

i went out and lowered the lift to open the hood so I could get my carb info. My '64 (VIN 09258) Carter AFB carburetor is a 3721 S, dated K3. I've attached a picture of the Noland Adams' data from his book and the 63/64 TIMJG 1964 carb data and dating. My car has been judged up through the national level as recently as July 2014 with no deductions for the carb. I would say it would be a safe bet to find a carb that is dated about 3 months prior to the cars production date.

I hope this helps.

Regards,

James

[Garry B.]

Re: Carter AFB date versus car assembly date question

Thanks for your efforts Jim. I greatly appreciate it.
Garry