1966 Air Injection Reactor

[Joe D.]

I am going to look at a 66 coupe on Wednesday. I am trying to do my homework. I am not too familiar with C2's. The engine codes are differant for 350hp with ar and without. What is air injection reactor?
Also would appreciate any tips on any particular thing I should be looking for. I had my sites set on a 70-72, now looking at a c2, sorry for being all over the place! Thanks, Joe DeLuca Member 37862

[Tom H.]

Re: 1966 Air Injection Reactor

Joe:

To make it simple. The A I R is a smog pump. Same basic rules apply to C2 shopping. Look for frame and cage rust. Previous damage, etc. Make sure you buy as complete of a car as you can since good original parts are expensive and often hard to come by.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1966 Air Injection Reactor

I am going to look at a 66 coupe on Wednesday. I am trying to do my homework. I am not too familiar with C2's. The engine codes are differant for 350hp with ar and without. What is air injection reactor?
Also would appreciate any tips on any particular thing I should be looking for. I had my sites set on a 70-72, now looking at a c2, sorry for being all over the place! Thanks, Joe DeLuca Member 37862

Joe-----


The air injection reactor system was an exhaust emissions control system which, as far as 66-67 model years are concerned, was required for all Corvettes sold in California. Its most prominent feature is the air injection reactor pump commonly referred to as a "smog pump". If the engine is coded for air injection, then all the proper and correct equipment must be on the car for full judging credit.

By the way, a lot of these systems have been removed and it's very costly to acquire and install them, especially for 1966-67 models.

[Joe D.]

Re: 1966 Air Injection Reactor

The car is on the East coast, I hope it is close to it's home. Thanks for your help.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1966 Air Injection Reactor

The car is on the East coast, I hope it is close to it's home. Thanks for your help.

Joe------


It may be on the east coast now, but if it had AIR, it almost certainly started its life in California. In fact, you'd better hope that it spent most of its life in California. Otherwise, the frame and "birdcage" might not be "what you want them to be".

[James G.]

Re: 1966 Air Injection Reactor

As stated only big block to get a smog pump was a car sold new in California, and only the 427/390hp engines. 427/425hp did not have them.

The engine suffix cade is 'IM' for the manual trans. 49 state cars have 'IL' code. If an automatic Powerglide, then 'IR' for smog pump cal cars, and 'IQ' for 49 state cars.

They are hard to find, especially the brackets to hold them in place as they are different than passenger cars which also had the same requirements.

I have attached a picture of the set up on a 350hp car. Same basic set up, but different for a big block. Last complete system I saw, sold for $3500 two years ago.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1966 Air Injection Reactor

As stated only big block to get a smog pump was a car sold new in California, and only the 427/390hp engines. 427/425hp did not have them.

The engine suffix cade is 'IM' for the manual trans. 49 state cars have 'IL' code. If an automatic Powerglide, then 'IR' for smog pump cal cars, and 'IQ' for 49 state cars.

They are hard to find, especially the brackets to hold them in place as they are different than passenger cars which also had the same requirements.

I have attached a picture of the set up on a 350hp car. Same basic set up, but different for a big block. Last complete system I saw, sold for $3500 two years ago.

Jim-----


Yes, the 1966 L-72 was an exception as far as 66-67 California AIR requirements were concerned. I should have mentioned that.

The other 1966 California AIR exceptions were the 1966 Chevelle SS with L-78 engine and the 1966 Chevy II with I-4 engine. There were no exceptions for 1967.