I'm looking for some insight. I have been researching my car, a 1972 SS 402 numbers matching car (transmission was replaced with a 1967, but the engine and rear end match). I have been looking at some info on option codes and comparing to the remants of my build sheet. What I have found is that in 1972 they built about 25000 big block cars, of which 20000 are 402's. But according to what appear to be Chevy's numbers for cars sold and the options related to them, only 3600 cars were sold with a Cowl Induction Hood, a mere 14% of the cars sold. Can anyone corroborate this? Is it possible I have one of only 3600 cars left from 1972?

How does the VIN start out on your car?

Have you looked at this link yet?

"There were 24,946 Malibu/Custom El Camino series was equipped with RPO Z15 SS option and, of these, 5,333 were equipped with SS454 equipment."

"There were 20,031 LS3 (402cid) engines optioned in 1972."

http://www.chevellestuff.com/1972/style_prod_no.htm


"ZL2 Special Ducted Hood, requires SS option and LS5 3,659"


http://www.chevellestuff.com/1972/options.htm

My 72 SS 402 has CI as well. I wonder how many of the 3659 had a 4 speed?

Cowl induction was available on ANY big block in 1972.... I had a 402 with it.... :yes: and yes, it was documented....

I wonder why chevellestuff.com says that the ZL2 hood requires SS option and LS5?

Because early production literature says that.... Dale hasn't updated his site to reflect it.

Another example of incorrect assumptions and info.... one would assume that since the M22 was a required option with the 454, that the 1513 M22 equipped cars in 1972 are all 454's...... Not true, I know of at least 2 documented 402 cars with the M22 trans... :yes:

1d37u2b

Interesting question as mine is also a 4 speed. Info I have indicates that of the 20031 cars sold with the LS3, the M20 option was sold with 10201

I for one, would like to see some of this documentation that supports '72 402 cars coming out of the factory with Cowl Induction. In 25+ years of restoring 70-72 Chevelles, I've never seen any paperwork to back that up. I've heard a bunch of claims, but whenever you ask to see the buildsheet...out come the excuses.

I for one, would like to see some of this documentation that supports '72 402 cars coming out of the factory with Cowl Induction. In 25+ years of restoring 70-72 Chevelles, I've never seen any paperwork to back that up. I've heard a bunch of claims, but whenever you ask to see the buildsheet...out come the excuses.

Don't know about coupes, no excuses from my Elco though (only reason i don't hesitate posting real paper (in this case) is any scumbag making bogus docs know pithy LS3 trucks aren't worth the effort, or correct box codes;))
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a147/LateBrakeU2/ls3doc1.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a147/LateBrakeU2/ls3doc2.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a147/LateBrakeU2/ls3doc3.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a147/LateBrakeU2/elco17.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a147/LateBrakeU2/elcoeng3.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a147/LateBrakeU2/elcoeng4.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a147/LateBrakeU2/elco12.jpg

Cowl induction was available on ANY big block in 1972.... I had a 402 with it.... :yes: and yes, it was documented....

I for one, would like to see some of this documentation that supports '72 402 cars coming out of the factory with Cowl Induction. In 25+ years of restoring 70-72 Chevelles, I've never seen any paperwork to back that up. I've heard a bunch of claims, but whenever you ask to see the buildsheet...out come the excuses.

Well, since you can't take my word for it.... :D

They can't be that common, just like the M22 402 cars.....

:beers: :thumbsup:

So in your experience this would seem to be a rarity on a 72 Chevelle? On the build sheet that I extracted from under the back seat, part of what I salvaged shows "cted hoo" with the option YF8 Black stripes. The car has a cowl induction hood that some less than enthusiast disconnected and put on a cheap chrome air cleaner.

Yep, I would say your car had the Cowl Induction hood on it then. :yes:

Could you not also examine the fire wall to see if it is correct where the CI wiring goes threw?

My 72 malibu has a cowl induction hood on it that I bought at a junkyard 17 years ago and bolted to it....is that rare?:D

My 72 Chevelle has a cowl induction hood and starts with the same vin.1d37uzr.
What does that mean?

Do you have a build sheet? Your VIN says: Chevorolet; Malibu; 2 door sport coupe; LS3 402 V8 4BBL; but the zr doesn'r make sense. The next digit should be a 2 (1972) then the letter code for the plant it was built in (mine is B for Baltimore) followed by the sequence number.

Build sheet is the answer.