1969 L71 A.I.R. System
I have just purchased a 1971 L71, it does not have an A.I.R. system currently on the car. The exhaust manifolds do have plugs in them but I am wondering if there is a way to tell somehow verify if the car was ever equipped with the system. The original purchase and delivery was made in Spokane, Washington. I believe the A.I.R. system was not on all 1969 L71's but I would like to be able to verify this for the car. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Re: 1969 L71 A.I.R. System
Jeff
All 1969 Corvettes were originally equipped with A.I.R. There were no exceptions.
John -
In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: 1969 L71 A.I.R. System
Interesting because the inspector I had look at the car pulled out the NCRS book and it said that they were not on all 69's but I thought I had read on Corvette Forums that it was standard on all 69's. Thank you for your responses!Comment
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Re: 1969 L71 A.I.R. System
There was an older TIM&JG that held out the possibility that some 1969s with automatic transmission may not have had A.I.R., but we have long since learned that was not the case. IIRC that guide was at least two revisions ago, and goes back to the later 1980s. I wonder what book he used?TerryComment
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Re: 1969 L71 A.I.R. System
It's merely a matter of looking at the AIM and AMA specs. When only California bound cars required AIR in 1966 and 1967, it was an option, K-66.
If the '69 AIM, L-71 section shows AIR installation with no notes regarding transmission, state, or other applicability criteria, then you can reasonably assume that is was an integral part of the L-71 option.
DukeComment
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Re: 1969 L71 A.I.R. System
Duke------
The AMA specs are WRONG on this one (not the first or last time these specs were in error). The AMA specs said that 1968-69 Corvettes with THM transmission used CCS emissions control and those with manual transmission used AIR. This is how it actually was for all other 68-69 Chevrolet models EXCEPT Corvette. I expect that the specs were transmitted to the AMA at a very preliminary stage and before Chevrolet decided that all 1968-69 Corvettes would be built with AIR.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: 1969 L71 A.I.R. System
And that is precisely why we held out the option of no AIR with M40 when we first started judging 1968-69 Corvettes. As we gained experience and saw more and more examples of what seemed to be original 1969s with AIR we reached the current, and we believe correct, conclusion. When one tries to make the first judging manuals there will inevitably be some judgement calls that are right and some that are wrong. As the team gains experience those bumps are smoothed out. It is just the way it is.TerryComment
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Re: 1969 L71 A.I.R. System
Thanks to all for the information on the subject. Now I just have to find a system!Comment
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Re: 1969 L71 A.I.R. System
Jeff-----
As I've said many times before, most of the system is not too difficult or expensive to come by in the rebuilt (pump) or reproduction (manifold trees, manifold tubes, check valves, hoses, clamps, pump bracket, pump brace) markets. However, the big exception is the diverter valve and for 1969 L-71/L-68, the diverter valve adapter. Those are where things get difficult and expensive.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: 1969 L71 A.I.R. System
Joe - Any idea where I would have the best luck in finding? How can I tell the correct diverter valve and valve adapter? I am new to this so any advice you can provide would be greatly appreciated.Comment
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Re: 1969 L71 A.I.R. System
Jeff------
Your best source is going to be Bill Hodel. You can probably contact him thru this board or just do an archive search on "Bill Hodel" for contact info. Be aware, though, I'm saying he's probably your best source. I did not say he's an inexpensive source. For the diverter valve and adapter you are not going to find an inexpensive source. Bill can supply the complete system and it will be in every way NCRS-correct. Once again, not inexpensively.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: 1969 L71 A.I.R. System
Joe - Thanks for your help and advice, I actually purchased the entire system from Bill after corresponding with him via email. Stopped by his house on the way back from Thanksgiving holiday just yesterday. What a super nice guy, invited us into his house and showed us his "smog" collection and shop. I can guarantee you if it was made, Bill definitely has it and can rebuild it. He has an amazing amount of parts and his work is impeccable. His price I thought was very reasonable for the entire set up. I would highly recommend him to everyone if you are looking for a date coded A.I.R. system
JeffComment
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