1967 L-79 valve cover flaw date?

[Scott S.]

Re: 1967 L-79 valve cover flaw date?

Gentlemen
Just went to the garage and checked my original owner
August built 66 and what to my wonderest eyes should appear ,but two valve covers with a flaw thou the o. Therefore it is my opinion that all 67s and damn near all 66s should have flawed valve covers.
Stephen Barrett (21558) 59,66,71,73

Hi Stephen,

The "Corvette Birthday Book" shows that the last two 1965 model year Corvettes were produced on Monday, August 2nd, 1966. Nothing else for the month of August. Then 1966 model year production began September 2nd, 1965, and shows that 1966 production ended on Friday, July 29, 1966. The book shows that August of 1966 had no production for either the end of 1966 model year or the beginning of 1967 model year (the book shows September 1st as first day of production for the 1967 model year).

I'm always interested in finding out where the books are a little off, and this sounds like one of those times. What is the Trim Tag date on your '66, or better yet, what is the actual production date, if you have obtained the NCRS Shipping Data Report?

[Stephen B.]

Re: 1967 L-79 valve cover flaw date?

Scott
OK Scott you got me on that on . I was thinking of the date codes on most of my components.The serial number is 1210,so going to my black book it indicates last car built in September was 2031.This indicates to me that it was built about 12 production day into September.
There still couldn't be many 66s without flawed vale covers.
Stephen Barrett (21558) 59,66,71,73

[Scott S.]

Re: 1967 L-79 valve cover flaw date?

Scott
OK Scott you got me on that on . I was thinking of the date codes on most of my components.The serial number is 1210,so going to my black book it indicates last car built in September was 2031.This indicates to me that it was built about 12 production day into September.
There still couldn't be many 66s without flawed vale covers.
Stephen Barrett (21558) 59,66,71,73

Wasn't trying to "get" anyone, it's just that I don't know what I don't know. The books are often close but not exactly correct in every detail, and the only way I know to find out what's actually correct is to check the books and ask questions

With your serial number being so early in production and having the flawed "o" valve covers, it would be interesting to find out if any original owners of even earlier production '66s and very late-production '65s have the flaw in the "o", in order to find out just how far back it goes.

[Stephen B.]

Re: 1967 L-79 valve cover flaw date?

Just put the question out there,does anyone have an original owner late 65 production with flawed valve covers? There I did it, now everybody jump right in.
Stephen Barrett (21558) 59,66,71,73

[Scott S.]

Re: 1967 L-79 valve cover flaw date?

...AND are there any original owners of the 1966 model year with serial number / VIN earlier than 1210 with aluminum valve covers, and if so, do your valve covers have the flaw in the 'o'?

[John D.]

Re: 1967 L-79 valve cover flaw date?

John,

Have you had your car judged with one of each? If so, I assume you get a a deduct? My July build-date '66 has one of each, which I assume to be original, but for judging I'm going to go the path of least resistance and put on two with the casting flaw that I've had restored.

Gary

gary

Yes got the deduct for the non flawed cover. Looks like it's been on the car a long time but I can't speak for ownership prior to 1991...
Any cover replaced on a 66-7 under warranty or an owner inspired upgrade would most likely have been non flawed as it probably took a while for the flawed parts to hit service.

[Gary B.]

Re: 1967 L-79 valve cover flaw date?

gary

Yes got the deduct for the non flawed cover. Looks like it's been on the car a long time but I can't speak for ownership prior to 1991...
Any cover replaced on a 66-7 under warranty or an owner inspired upgrade would most likely have been non flawed as it probably took a while for the flawed parts to hit service.

John,

Thanks for the reply. I suspect if I opted to use what I think are my original valve covers, one with and one without the flaw, I'm destined to get a deduct. I think there's just no way to convince all judges that one with and one without the flaw happened on the occasional '66 built after March of '66.

Gary

[George C.]

Re: 1967 L-79 valve cover flaw date?

Stephen,
Hi, surprised there aren't more responses to your questions.
I bought my 65 in 2000, with no documentation or history. So I really have no clue about the covers being original or not and freely admit it.
However based on the condition and preservation of many other original parts, I always wondered if they could have been original.
The VIN is 16902, produced May 6th, so I guess that is considered about middle of the year.
As I said above, the other thing that surprises me is how many 65's you see at local shows and on the internet that have the flawed covers.
George