Newbie here.
Currently looking at a '70 442 W30 4 speed, I need help with the carburetor date. The carb has a 4 digit code before the carb serial of 1317. Can someone decode this for me? I suspect the 131 is the 131st day of a particular year, 1967??? The tag states the build date is 03D, to be speific 03/31.

I've attached a picture.

 

The number 7040256 is correct for a 1970 W30 4 speed but that date code looks a little off. It would be May 11, 1967. I’m going to raise my hand and ask for help from others on this forum who know a lot more than me.

 

Hmm, the stamping is very clean and crisp..

 

True, its a nice stamping, but it's not perfect as the last 2 digits are out of alignment.

Someone private messaged me to say the 1317 date code indicates the carb is a service carb and they are familiar with this date. Date is 131st day of 1977 I was informed.

Perhaps someone else can add to this.

 

Yes ,very crisp and clean for 50 yrs...

 

We need a forgery expert on these carb stamps. Comparing photos it seems like in the original carb stamp (pictured) the numeric stamping is a flat impression. The photo you posted seems like the numeric impressions are more of a v-groove impression. It seems like the factory used a unique stamping machine.

 

There also appear to other digits next to the 6, that have been filled in or some how removed.

 

I appreciate all the input and comments about the stamping on the carburetor I posted, I know little about the subject, but I ask if someone is going to the trouble to clone the carburetor why would they not use a date closer to the build date of the automoible as that would seem to increase the value of the car? Why use a date 7 years out, and a service date at that? That part makes little sense to me.

 

Stephen....here is what i think..im no expert but i have had a lot of carbs go thru my hands...


i think its a service carb..131st day of 77..service carbs are batch stamped by hand..the marks you see are gang stamp strikes, i believe from what i see... which are common..it looks like its been ground on behind the part number..but i really believe its the gang stamp strike...ive seen it many times..

it is crisp..it prob wouldnt pass the 70 font comparison either....but its not an assy line carb..no one counterfeits a 1977 service carb..theres no pick code because it wasnt installed on the assy line..

i dont see grinder marks right above the number next to the step, and thats a big clue...take a better pic..turn up the quality of the pic and post it again

you cant compare it to an assy carb, because it isnt...i really dont see anything wrong...it is comparable to other oldsmobile service carbs i have seen.

the 7 is right and so are the 0s and the 4..for 1977...nothing looks weird to me..the marks behind the number look right to me from what i can see...

 

Mark ~ Appreciate it very much!

 

I agree, that looks like a 1977 service carb to me.

 

I wonder why the carb was replaced? I also wonder if the carb is the same internally as the original, no metering rods and piston bore plugged?