early 68 questions..

[James H.]

I have an early production roadster, vin #320 so I'm figuring 2nd or 3rd day of production with a documented 427x400 L68.
My car has approx 35K miles and appears mostly original BUT
-my car has DC coded not AG wheels
-my car also has a steel radiator shroud not fiberglass
Is it possible they may have used left over 67 parts on the early 68s??
Thanks,
Jim

[Wayne W.]

Re: early 68 questions..

I have an early production roadster, vin #320 so I'm figuring 2nd or 3rd day of production with a documented 427x400 L68.
My car has approx 35K miles and appears mostly original BUT
-my car has DC coded not AG wheels
-my car also has a steel radiator shroud not fiberglass
Is it possible they may have used left over 67 parts on the early 68s??
Thanks,
Jim

The BB with just standard transmission and no AC etc. would have had the steel shroud. I cant comment on the wheels. I would guess it is possible.

[John C.]

Re: early 68 questions..

James and Wayne

All 68 BB (except L88s) should have a fiberglass radiator shroud. This is what is shown in the AIM, however I have seen several very early cars with steel shrouds so I do think it is in the realm of possibility that is could be original. There were so many running changes during the 68 model year it is difficult to know for sure what is correct some times.

John

[Wayne W.]

Re: early 68 questions..

I can assure you that as late as 3000+ at least some 68 BB had metal shrouds. I have seen several. I personally know of an L36 that is in that serial number range. I have known this car for 25+ years. I changed the shroud to a fiberglass set up with the extensions etc. because it always ran hot, and the owner said do it.

[James H.]

Re: early 68 questions..

I also questioned the AIM that mentioned all having fiberglass shrouds. My car is a 4speed non air car.
Thanks all..

[Joe L.]

Re: early 68 questions..

I have an early production roadster, vin #320 so I'm figuring 2nd or 3rd day of production with a documented 427x400 L68.
My car has approx 35K miles and appears mostly original BUT
-my car has DC coded not AG wheels
-my car also has a steel radiator shroud not fiberglass
Is it possible they may have used left over 67 parts on the early 68s??
Thanks,
Jim

Jim------


The "DC" wheel code indicates a 6" wide rally wheel. I suppose anything is possible, but it just seems very unlikely to me that 6" wheels would have been used on a 1968. Does the date code on them work for the car?

[Terry M.]

Re: early 68 questions..

I have an early production roadster, vin #320 so I'm figuring 2nd or 3rd day of production with a documented 427x400 L68.
My car has approx 35K miles and appears mostly original BUT
-my car has DC coded not AG wheels
-my car also has a steel radiator shroud not fiberglass
Is it possible they may have used left over 67 parts on the early 68s??
Thanks,
Jim

Have you read the 1968-69 TIM&JG? It is worth your time. Early 1968s with steel shrouds are expected.

The 1968 AIM that is in common reproduction is only a small part of the entire AIM for 1968 -- and that is true for the other years AIMs as well, but the first year(s) of a new body style are particularly egregious in that regard. The steel shroud for early BB is in the larger AIM.

[James H.]

Re: early 68 questions..

Terry,
I dont know what that is and where would I get a copy of it??

[Terry M.]

Re: early 68 questions..

Terry,
I dont know what that is and where would I get a copy of it??

Jim, I mentioned several publications in my post, so I am not sure which you are unsure about.

TIM&JG = The NCRS 1967-69 Technical Information Manual & Judging Guide.
AIM = Assembly Instruction Manual. The AIM is available for most year Corvettes, up to 1982 (and other Chevrolet, Ford and MoPar vehicles for more years). These are the instructions to the assembly line workers that tell them how to assemble the car.

In your case you would want the 1968 version, however the AIM that is available for most years is only the end of the model year, or close to the end of the model year, and not the entire manual. As revised pages were added during the model year the old pages were discarded. So for the assembly plant the AIM is a moving document and the books that are available only show a slice in time, which may or may not be the part you need for your car.

Both of the above books are available form the sponsor of this site, through the radio button at the top of the page that is marked "NCRS STORE." I highly recommend these books as well as the Factory Service Manual and Factory Overhaul Manual for your year Corvette -- available from the same source.