What is the hardest to get part?

[Dan P.]

Re: What is the hardest to get part?

The starter that came on my '70 ZR1 was an 1108351 dated 8 L 15. This was on a car with a build of May 12, 1970. That long of a spread is probably due to the fact that a lot of starters were "batch built" and places to use them were few and far between.

Sal-

Do you recall the transmission stamp date? The stamp on my trans is P0B24C. I've seen this date on at least two other ZR1's. Same goes for the "L88" grease pencil marking on the radiator core support - your old car included. These items - along with starter build dates - supports the "batch-built" theory.

I'm curious if engines were also batched. Reason I ask is that my July 1 built ZR1 (vin13994) has an engine cast date of May 19. The engine assy date was decked by the fellow I bought it from leaving the the "TV" portion of the CTV suffix, as well as a portion of the vin. Curious what the casting date vs. build date is on your ZR1 engine was...

[Sal C.]

Re: What is the hardest to get part?

Dan,
I think the "L88" on the radiator support was the coolest part on the car! As for the trans code, it is the same as your's. Casting date on the block is April 1, 1970. It was assembled, while it was still warm, on April 3rd.

[Dan P.]

Re: What is the hardest to get part?

Dan,
I think the "L88" on the radiator support was the coolest part on the car! As for the trans code, it is the same as your's. Casting date on the block is April 1, 1970. It was assembled, while it was still warm, on April 3rd.

Sal-

It's cool to think these cars just as easily could have been L88's (except for the engine, of course!). I've seen photos of the"L88" grease pencil mark on your car. The one in my July build ZR1 is slightly different: "L88 ONLY". (Sal - I sent you an email with one other query...).

[William H.]

Re: What is the hardest to get part?

Any thing for my car.

[Bryan H.]

Re: What is the hardest to get part?

any early 1956 part seems to be unavailable in this "space time continuum"

[Dick W.]

Re: What is the hardest to get part?

'67 435 muffler bearings

[Kenn S.]

Re: What is the hardest to get part?

Any part I happen to need for my 1970. Sure seems that way.

But a 3969926 fan is right up there... I saw the previous note about the '70 gen 1 tips. Crap. Another tuff part I need.

I'd hate to have to find an original fiber compartment tray. Ooh.

None of these probably compare to some of the C1 horror stories, but there are some hard to get pieces on a 1970.

[Joe M.]

Re: What is the hardest to get part?

Since I am looking now, the hardest part is an original AC 4656 fuel pump. Sure, there are several "4656" pumps for sale now, but they are restamps made up of different pump body parts. I have not been able to find an original 4656; that includes the copper rivet holding the rocker arm in place.

Since they were installed on 1958 through 1962 Vettes, the original total should have been approximately 54,569.

[Loren L.]

Re: What is the hardest to get part?

I believe I'd nominate a CORRECT fuel sending unit for 58-62 36 gallon fuel tanks.

[Joe L.]

Re: What is the hardest to get part?

I believe I'd nominate a CORRECT fuel sending unit for 58-62 36 gallon fuel tanks.

Loren------


I don't think you'll ever even find an INCORRECT sending unit for a 1958-62 36 gallon fuel tank since I'm not aware of any C1's ever being originally equipped with a tank that large.

[Loren L.]

Re: What is the hardest to get part?

Joe, you're apparently not reading "The Corvette Restorer" on a thorough basis - if you were, it would be hard to miss the tanks on the 56/7/8 Sebring cars.
If you can find the Layout drawing L-53433, I'll provide the WO that calls for 6 of these tanks to be done in fiberglass for the 1960 Sebring/LeMans - believed to have been distributed as 2 to Cunningham, 2 to Camoradi and 1 to Delmo Johnson. The remaining tank went to Cunningham for the 3rd LeMans entry after the 2nd Camoradi car burned to the ground.
There was also a later "re-issue" for the tanks, Gulf Oil cars, et al.

[Rich C.]

Re: What is the hardest to get part?

If you have a '73 , the one year only cooling recovery tank in NOS form, the matching '73-74E tank cap in NOS, and of course if it's a 454, the '73-454 only EGR valve, in NOS! Yep, got 'em all, took 20 years! Still looking for that NOS '73-454 A/C manifold/hose!

'73 LS-4 454 owned 21 1/2 years!

[Joe L.]

Re: What is the hardest to get part?

Joe, you're apparently not reading "The Corvette Restorer" on a thorough basis - if you were, it would be hard to miss the tanks on the 56/7/8 Sebring cars.
If you can find the Layout drawing L-53433, I'll provide the WO that calls for 6 of these tanks to be done in fiberglass for the 1960 Sebring/LeMans - believed to have been distributed as 2 to Cunningham, 2 to Camoradi and 1 to Delmo Johnson. The remaining tank went to Cunningham for the 3rd LeMans entry after the 2nd Camoradi car burned to the ground.
There was also a later "re-issue" for the tanks, Gulf Oil cars, et al.

Loren------


Well, I guessed I missed this. However, such tanks and related parts were never available from GM as an RPO in PRODUCTION or available in SERVICE. So, the components would fall into the same category as components used, for example, for the C2 Grand Sports. All of those special and unique parts would be, essentially, impossible to find.

[Joe L.]

Re: What is the hardest to get part?

If you have a '73 , the one year only cooling recovery tank in NOS form, the matching '73-74E tank cap in NOS, and of course if it's a 454, the '73-454 only EGR valve, in NOS! Yep, got 'em all, took 20 years! Still looking for that NOS '73-454 A/C manifold/hose!

'73 LS-4 454 owned 21 1/2 years!

Rich------

If by "73 454 A/C manifold/hose" you are referring to the GM #328277 fitting assembly, that piece was applicable to both 350 and 454 1973 applications. It was discontinued in September, 1974 so it was only available in SERVICE for about 1 year. That fact and the fact that it was discontinued 37 years ago will result in "limited availability".

[Loren L.]

Re: What is the hardest to get part?

Loren------


Well, I guessed I missed this. However, such tanks and related parts were never available from GM as an RPO in PRODUCTION or available in SERVICE. So, the components would fall into the same category as components used, for example, for the C2 Grand Sports. All of those special and unique parts would be, essentially, impossible to find.

Joe, they WERE listed and, at least, technically available across the counter. If not, they were not cleared for racing. One of Rosey Rosenberger's biggest objections (NASCAR wise) was that the pre-427 motor run at Daytona (61?) was that they made engines available at Daytona - Ford bought TWO.
Jim Frakes reported previously that Ed Lowther bought a 36 gallon tank across the counter for a Marlboro(?) race in the early '60s.
It's not a crime to admit that "never" does NOT apply during those years; some pigs were better than other pigs.....and the beat went on..