I just noticed in the December, 2009 issue of Corvette Fever there is an article about a 1968 Corvette owned by one Greg Horton of Troy, MO. From all appearances, this looks to be a very nice car. However, there is one discrepancy I noted and it's sort of a glaring one (i.e. nothing like an "R" on the distributor cap, no GM embossment on the intake manifold gasket end seals, incorrect headmarking on bolts, incorrect date on fan clutch, etc., etc., etc.).
Specifically, on page 53, photo 08, the caption reads "Also note the original AIR pump just forward of the air cleaner". However, the AIR pump shown in the photo is definitely NOT original to this car, nor is it original to ANY OTHER 1968 Corvette, nor is it even original to any other 1968 Chevrolet. That's because this configuration pump did not even exist in 1968. In fact, it did not exist until 8 years later, so this car was 8 years old before this pump even saw the "light of day". The pump pictured and installed on this car is a 1976-79 style pump. This style pump was never even cataloged for a SERVICE application for a 1968 Corvette, although it is fully functional for that application.
It's very possible that this pump has a date code which APPEARS like a 1968-correct date (i.e date code sequence ending with a "7" or an "8"). However, if it does, those digits refer to 1977 or 1978 (or, even, 1987 or 1988) and DEFINITELY NOT 1968.
So, if Greg Horton is on this board (or, anyone here knows him), please be advised that with such an apparently nice and original configuration car, he needs to get himself a 1968 configuration AIR pump. They really are not that hard to come by. ALL 1968 Chevrolet cars with AIR used the same pump. Tell him to not worry so much about the date code; be concerned about the CONFIGURATION.
Specifically, on page 53, photo 08, the caption reads "Also note the original AIR pump just forward of the air cleaner". However, the AIR pump shown in the photo is definitely NOT original to this car, nor is it original to ANY OTHER 1968 Corvette, nor is it even original to any other 1968 Chevrolet. That's because this configuration pump did not even exist in 1968. In fact, it did not exist until 8 years later, so this car was 8 years old before this pump even saw the "light of day". The pump pictured and installed on this car is a 1976-79 style pump. This style pump was never even cataloged for a SERVICE application for a 1968 Corvette, although it is fully functional for that application.
It's very possible that this pump has a date code which APPEARS like a 1968-correct date (i.e date code sequence ending with a "7" or an "8"). However, if it does, those digits refer to 1977 or 1978 (or, even, 1987 or 1988) and DEFINITELY NOT 1968.
So, if Greg Horton is on this board (or, anyone here knows him), please be advised that with such an apparently nice and original configuration car, he needs to get himself a 1968 configuration AIR pump. They really are not that hard to come by. ALL 1968 Chevrolet cars with AIR used the same pump. Tell him to not worry so much about the date code; be concerned about the CONFIGURATION.
Also it does not have a true '68 style shifter boot. You'd think if it was so original, it'd have at least that.
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