T-10 Assembly before car assembly

[Tom R.]

I have followed the 6-month rule for parts and components to be completed prior to vehicle assembly. My car rolled off the St. Louis line on October 16, 1962 according to my NCRS delivery documentation and the trans has the VIN derivative as well as the upside down assembly stamp of WK 52 2. I think that correlates to an October 5, 1962 Shift 2 (day).

My question is, does this assembly of the trans only two weeks ahead of the car work?

[Timothy B.]

Re: T-10 Assembly before car assembly

Tom,

That date works fine for me, is it the correct serial # on the transmission for your car.

[Duke W.]

Re: T-10 Assembly before car assembly

It's common for dated components that are base equipment or popular options to be dated only a few days before the car production date.

The six month rule was developed because it is impossible to determine lead times for every component, and six months for everything is quite liberal and allows restorers good latitude for replacing non-OE items with the same that meets the six month rule, in which case it is considered "original".

Dated components were pulled from plant inventory in no particular order, and there are a handful of low volume options - like the 283/250HP FI engine - from the fifties that might have even exceeded six months, but six months is certainly fair, and judges can always exercise discretion when interpreting the six-month rule on low volume dated components.

Duke

[Tom R.]

Re: T-10 Assembly before car assembly

Timothy and Duke,

Thanks for the responses. Yes, the case has the VIN derivative of the car in the opposite direction as the Warner assembly code.

I have a lot of stuff on this car that is close. Like the casting date on my 870 block is J 9 2 (October 9, 1962) and the engine is stamped FI0I0RF with the correct VIN. There appears to be the broach marks that everyone talks about and the car was assembled on October 16, 1962. My thirteenth birthday!!

I guess I'll rest easy about the transmission then.

[Stuart F.]

Re: T-10 Assembly before car assembly

My recent acquisition of a 3461S carburetor had me concerned a little in this regard as it is dated BA3 and my car is a July 9 build. My first prioity was for a "correct" carb model and, if dated within the 6 month rule, all the better. Then I have since seen several other 63 owners quote that their AFB's were also dated BA3. So, I assume there was a big batch of carbs for the Corvette application built and shipped by Carter at the same time.

My priorities have paid off well as the 3461S is definetely the carb for my L-76 engine. A noticeable improvement in performance over the 3721SB replacement I have been living with since the late 80's. The detail differences are small but significant.

Stu Fox

[John H.]

Re: T-10 Assembly before car assembly

I guess I'll rest easy about the transmission then.

Tom -

Your date works fine. Transmission "numbers" aren't judged (except in Star/Bowtie judging).

[Tom R.]

Re: T-10 Assembly before car assembly

Tom -

Your date works fine. Transmission "numbers" aren't judged (except in Star/Bowtie judging).

I bought the car over a year ago and had pretty thoroughly gone over it prior to purchase. I hadn't got to the trans assembly markings until just recently having just trusted the VIN derivative as being original to the car when I was considering the purchase.

These validations are simply additional confirmation of the originality of my car and I appreciate everyone's input.