396 Carb date code anomaly on original unrestored 396 Corvette

[Don H.]

Re: 396 Carb date code anomaly on original unrestored 396 Corvette

look for an email Victor.. It might be in your Spam folder

[Ray K.]

Re: 396 Carb date code anomaly on original unrestored 396 Corvette

All,

I purchased a new Holley #3124 carburetor in late 1972 - December as I recall. The date code on the carburetor is " 991 ". This carb is still on my 1965. In my opinion, the above referenced carburetor with a date code of 834 is definitely a service date carburetor purchased over the counter or perhaps installed as a replacement by a Chevrolet service department.

Ray

[Rick B.]

Re: 396 Carb date code anomaly on original unrestored 396 Corvette

"Date of Manufacturer Format of YMW. Year, Month, Week. It is different then a Jullian date and should not be decoded as the same. Holley reissued 3124's well beyond the 65 model year. Those reissues are not typically consistent in their details to the assembly line production 3124's. Nice carb, but would not be typical not just in date but in other details.

[Dan A.]

Re: 396 Carb date code anomaly on original unrestored 396 Corvette

As Rick says the service replacements differed. Particularly the small inlet center pivot peanut float bowls with acorn fittings. I have found several production dated 3124's with day 2 updated bowls.

The date format and carb configuration are addressed in the manual. I do not recall any mid year manual ('63-7) describing a Holley or any other carb of that ear having a Julian date. Didn't any the judges you mentioned consult the Judging Manual? The situation you describe highlights the reason when a car is said to have attained a Top Flight the more experienced will ask where, i.e. Chapter, Regional or National. In a perfect world the judging results would be consistent. In reality there can be significant difference.