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Intake date code

bigaadams

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I have always found some of the items confusing as far as dating. I recently acquired a 383 4bbl intake, casting 2806301 and was just curious as to the date. Above the casting number is larger raised letters, 2A there is no day/night casting pointer....there is the clock data with a hump just outside the hour ring between 1 and 2 and another hump outside at second hump. The date tag has the left screw the number 8 appears to be the - and then the number 5 (*8-5*) where * is screw head. There are no other numbers or letters that I can find. Beneath is a large 4 on the aft runner rear of center. As this casting is for 68/69 years...how does one determine the actual year and is the 8-5 actually August 5th. I went to the MMC Detroit page but then there is no clear example of my intake...most have the M/D/Y format and the day night pointer. Confusing for sure. Thanks for any help/light to actual date.
 
Normally the date is right under the casting number on 2806301 intakes. I take it yours is missing this.
68 intake.jpg
 
per your picture and per my above posting....I have all that it is just that there is confusion on deciphering these casting. Mine looks like your picture except instead of 1A it is 2A the casting number is the same....the date cast I do not have the x but a - and the shift hour clock is as yours with a hump between 1 and 2 and an additional hump at the 2 where as your picture has a single hump at the 3rd hour indicator. I understand there were a number of foundries casting parts and each I would guess used different symbols etc....

given your picture, what is the hump at 3 and date code

I cannot understand the two humps on the shift hour clock...unless the ne you picture is third shift third hour...and mine is 1st shift second hour....this is what trips me up...and then....as it is two year application on the cast...what is the year.
 
here is a picture of the intake....yes it is filthy as found at the swap meet. I have done a pencil rubbing of the casting numbers as to highlight for a photo enhancement. Clearly one can see the hump outside the shift clock between 1 and 2 hours and the one outside the hour 2 with hour pointer also at 2.....

if anyone was to ever have something different or off the wall...seems it is me....:(

IMG_3849.JPG
 
my guess on the number is that by casting number it is 68/69 but there is nothing to define the actual year.
the date tag is 8-5 and I would read this to be August 5 but again, what year.
The shift clock shows what is second hour of second shift...but what is the hump between the shift hour marks 1 and 2..this is a poser....and again....what year is the casting...68 or 69

OR the date is just 8 is the year and the 5 is the month.....but the day is now not known...
 
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my guess on the number is that by casting number it is 68/69 but there is nothing to define the actual year.
the date tag is 8-5 and I would read this to be August 5 but again, what year.
.

Therefore it has to be cast on 8/5/67 for the 68 model year, right?
 
but, and this is still the undefined part...this casting carried into 1969....how does one denote the very year of the cast if spread over a two year casting range...

given the second scenario of 8 being the year and 5 being the month...where is the day of the month...there has to be some reasoning to this rhyme

also the humps on the shift clock are not as explained either.....would not have thought this to stump the gurus here....

so we either have the month and day with no year....or year and month with no day...or the casting was not carried into 1969 no one it seems even know when the 10,000 day calendar started either as there are many formats still in use in the same years...
 
Maybe nobody cares.

My 301 intake is dated 4-15. It was cast in 1968.
 
Maybe nobody cares.

My 301 intake is dated 4-15. It was cast in 1968.

excellent.....if the manifold is off the engine would you know for sure then? I am assuming you are quoting 'number matched' stock vehicle...else, how do you distinguish the year by casting numbers? picture in post number 2 and post number 4 is all there is on the manifold.....two year production per the casting number data sheets found on the sites posted here...I really did not know this simple question would be strung out without a definite answer....I do not think it is a maybe nobody cares as much as nobody seems to know.
 
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Yes, its a documented original car.
 
figured it was as such...but tell me, if the manifold was off the engine...how would you know the year.....that is what is going unanswered...
 
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