My father is workin on his Vette and has an aluminium surge/expansion tank he's thinking of getting rid of.

It's in excellent condition and date stamped "76D" (4th month, 1976)

Any thoughts on value? It's in perfect working order but his car is a 72 and he wants to put a correctly coded one on it

Are you sure it is a surge tank with a 76 date on it ??? 76's had a plastic overflow tank. Sounds like you've got an older overflow tank from a mid 60's or early 70's car.

Positive. He's the original owner of the car (1972 Convertible) and the original tank needed replacing. He got this from the dealer (Thorstads in Madison). He's been questioned on it in the past and after doing some digging, discovered that it was produced near the end of the period when they used metal tanks and switched over to plastic.

The motor is currently out being refreshed and he decided to order a repop tank with the correct stampings on it.

http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/6467/p9220008zl7.jpg

I'm lost here, but what is a surge tank? Is it the radiator overflow bottle? I apologize for asking a question, but I like Corvettes and would like to know about this. Thanks

I'm lost here, but what is a surge tank? Is it the radiator overflow bottle?

Yup! Here's an image of it in place (upper right corner - looks like small beer keg)

http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/9352/p9150193do6.jpg

Corvettes used a setup that sortof acted like an overflow system before anyone else did. You couldn't fill the radiator through a cap there was just a small hose that went to the surge tank that had the cap. I am not sure if they did it for room or the fact that the alum. radiators left a lot to be desired.

that is not a 63-67 expansion tank.

This tank was not used in 76. Perhaps it was an over the counter replacement made in 76. This application based on your photo was used on 68 to 72 Corvettes. New, non dated replacement tanks are available from various suppliers of corvette parts for about 140.00.

Tom's right.
Here's a pic of my low mileage '68 L-79 coupe with the tank shown...

Thanks guys!

All I can tell you is that he got the part at the GM parts counter. Where they go it, I've not clue

Years ago when your old tank failed, you went to GM and ordered a new replacement. Most likely the original tank in your 72 failed in 1976. The owner went to the dealership and ordered an new one. At that time, Harrison was still producing the part and dated them accordingly. Plain and simple, your car has the correct replacement tank, but the date on it keeps you from being "original". It is a tank for a 72 made in 76. Make sense ?? :)

It is a tank for a 72 made in 76. Make sense ?? :)

Perfectly.

Does it have any value over that of a new production tank from a parts company? He's looking to ebay it

The 76 date will probably kill it for the purist who has to have an original for his car. For the guy who's building a driver, it should be a great part. I think the value would be quite a bit less than a new undated one. One thing for sure though, it will sell on ebay. My guess, 35 to 50 bucks. + - JMO. Throw it on and start it at 9.99 with no reserve and let it roll.

Over the counter replacement

Those work nice for late-model LT1 swaps :) I'm using the '67 style with only one tube on the bottom, but that one could work just as well with just a little re-routing of the heater hose.