1972 VIN Codes (Part of a series)
 

Please Note – this is NOT going to be 100% accurate. Numbers changed, I coulda mis-typed, but this is the best I can do as a back yard mechanic to help you out. This came from 3 different books, and I tried to put all 3 into one page for ya. Please look for the book CORVETTE BY THE NUMBERS for more accurate information. Thanks.

1972 Corvette

DECODING THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

For the first time, Engine codes were in the VIN

VIN # is stamped on the inside of the A pillar windshield.
Convertible Vin #’s were 1Z67K2S500001 TO 1Z67K2S527004
Coupe Vin #’s were 1Z37K2S500001 TO 1Z37K2S527004
Symbols, Letters and their meaning:
1st Chevrolet
2nd Z for Corvette
3RD and 4th = 67 Convertible, 37 Coupe
5th Engine
K = Base 350
W = LS5 454
6th Symbol indicates Year (2 = 1972)
7th Symbol indicates Assembly Plant (S = St Louis)
The last six symbols are the production numbers.

1968 – 1978 Corvette Trim Tag ID
Upper right corner is body build date
A = August 1971
B = September 1971
C = October 1971
D = November 1971
E = December 1971
F = January 1972
G = February 1972
H = March 1972
I = April 1972
J = May 1972
K = June 1972
L = July 1972
The Second and Third numbers were the day of the month that production of this car started.

On the left side is a word TRIM followed by the following:
400 = Black
407 = Red
412 = Blue
417 = Saddle
404 = Black Leather
421 = Saddle Leather

Just right of that is the word PAINT followed by the following:
912 = Sunflower Yellow
924 = Pewter Silver
972 = Classic White
945 = Bryar Blue
946 = Elkhardt Green
973 = Mille Miglia Red
979 = Targa Blue
987 = Ontario Orange
988 = Steel Cities Gray
989 = War Bonnet Yellow

ENGINE CODES

1972’s consist of 8 characters:
1st is Assembly Plant
2nd and 3rd are Assembly Month
4th and 5th are Assembly Day
6th is C for Chevrolet
7th & 8th are the Engine Code Suffix

Assembly Plants (Some engines produced at some plants were used in other cars.)
F = Flint Motor Facility (No Corvette Engine this year from this plant)
K = McKinnon Industries (No Corvette Engines this year from this plant)
S = Saginaw Service (No Corvette Engines this year from this plant)
T = Tonawanda
V = Flint Engine Plant High Performance


Code, Engine Size, Horsepower, Transmissions and Options
CDH 350, 200, 4 Speed Rochester 4 Bbl
CDJ 350, 200, THM400, Rochester 4 Bbl
CKW 350, 200, 4 Speed, Rochester 4 Bbl
CKX 350, 200, THM400, Rochester 4 Bbl
CKY 350, 255, 4 Speed, Mechaznical Lifters, Holley 4 Bbl
CKZ 350, 255, M22 4 Speed, ZR1 Performance Package, LT1 Engine
CRT 350, 255, 4 Speed, Mechanical Lifters, Holley 4 Bbl, AIR Injection
CPH 454, 270, 4 Speed, Rochester 4 Bbl, Hyd Lifters
CPJ 454, 270, THM400, Rochester 4 Bbl, Hyd Lifters
CSR 454, 270, 4 Speed, Rochester 4 Bbl, Hyd Lifters, AIR Injection
CSS 454, 270, THM400, Rochester 4 Bbl, Hyd Lifters, AIR Injection


Corvette Engine Blocks (You may have a different block, if so it might be from another Chevy Vehicle)
3970010 350, 300, 350 & 370 HP, 4 bolt main (This block was used thru 1979 year)
3999289 454, 270HP, 2 bolt main


Cylinder Head
3998993 350ci, 175HP, 1.94 intake 1.5 exhaust 75.47 cc
3998916 350ci, 255HP, 2.02 intake 1.60 exhaust 76.18 cc
3973487 350ci, 175HP, 1.94 intake 1.5 exhaust 75.47cc
3973487 350ci, 330HP, 2.02 intake 1.60 exhaust 75.47
3973487X – 350 Engine used in late 72.
3993820 454ci, 365HP, 2.06 intake 1.72 exhaust 113.060
3999241 454ci, 270HP, 2.06 intake 1.72 exhaust, 113 cc

Tnx

:thumbs:

Thanks from another 72 owner. I have most of these, but sure I'm missing something...

So if my engine code has CKY in it then it is a CKY 350, 255hp, 4 Speed, Mechanical Lifters, Holley 4 Bbl without AIR Injection? Smog pump is no where to be found and I have always been told that all 72's had the pump from the factory.

much, but not all of that info available here:

http://www.rowleycorvette.com/stats72.html

and here..

http://www.idavette.net/facts/72.htm