59 heat riser valve

[James O.]

Does anyone know how the C1 heatriser valve from Corvette Central measures up in judging?. I have had no luck finding an original # 3746838. Thanks, Jim

[Joe L.]

Re: 59 heat riser valve

Does anyone know how the C1 heatriser valve from Corvette Central measures up in judging?. I have had no luck finding an original # 3746838. Thanks, Jim

Jim------

I have no experience with the valves available currently in the Corvette marketplace. However, I expect that the valve offered by Corvette Central would probably be the same or very similar to the valve currently available in SERVICE from GM for most 1957-74 small blocks (except 62-65 with HP and SHP), GM #362652. This is a more-or-less "generic" valve that lacks GM part numbers on the counterweight, etc. Otherwise, though, it's similar to the original valve.

The 3746838 valve was not unique to Corvette but it was unique to the 58-59 model years. Just how it differs in configuration from the later valves I do not know, but I believe all the later valves are functionally interchangeable. The 3746838 was discontinued from SERVICE in July, 1966 and replaced by GM #3887024. Having been discontinued so long ago, I would say that an NOS 3846838 would be pretty scarce by now.

A used piece could be obtained off most any 58-59 Chevrolet passenger car still possessing its original valve. Of course, the valve would likely be as bad as the one you have, and I know of no way to rebuild them. The 3887024 differed from the 3846838 inasmuch as the former had bronze bushings pressed into the body for the shaft whereas the latter had the no such bushings.