I am hoping for some help....I have a '71 GSX that was originally a 350 car built 3rd week of May with AT. I would like to find some of the major parts for a restoration sometime in the near future for the numbers matching engine and transmission. Starting out....where might I find an intake manifold 1236389? Are there production date code correct judging standards?
First Welcome to the board Bob. Do you have documentation that shows your car is a real GSX ? Not many of the 71 GSX's are around and its very hard to prove they are real if you dont have the build sheet or something definitive. If your looking for cast numbers for a 1971 350 4bbbl its 1236839. I think you scrambled your numbers. I would definitely try to get the correct date code for that intake if I was you.
Thank you for the welcome Ryan! Unfortunately, I do not have a build sheet but the body number is under 2000, and there are several other anecdotal indications it is a real one. Most notably, the 3rd owner and his friend, who retained the original engine and transmission, remember seeing this GSX driving around in their towns in PA when it was new. In addition, the trunk opens without assistance, 24 hour ralleye clock, original GSX plaque on the dash. I am talking with the owner of the dealership who sold it new in PA and he is attempting to find the sales invoice. Also I am told by the organizer for the GSX reunion at MCACN that Mark Macoubrie already has this car in his data base and he has been following the car for years. The car will be part of the display at MCACN in November. As far as the cast number (1236389) I was going by David Walker's book "GS by the Numbers". On the bottom of page 41 he shows a picture of an intake manifold for a 1971 350 4 bbl which fairly clearly shows 1236389 as the number on it. Now maybe this is a coincidence and the correct manifold really is with the 3 and 8 reversed? I am not sure. I agree. The correct code date is what I am hoping for but I am guessing these are hard to find. I am just not sure what the accepted window of timeframe is considered reasonable. 3 months prior maybe? I am thinking someone knows what the judges look for? Thank again for your reply!
Hey Bob, I would go with David Walkers numbers. I pulled up the cast numbers on Buicks.net. Sounds like you have a very cool car on your hands. If I have one in my stash of parts I will let you know.
