Does anyone know if the suffix CLB is correct for a 1971 SS 396? I only find that code for Chevelle or 1972 Camaro 402????

'71 would be CLC (manual) or CLD (auto)

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'71 RS, '80 Z, '94 Z
My Camaros (http://gmz28camaros.homestead.com/gmz28_1.html)
NorthEastern Ohio Camaro Club (http://clubs.hemmings.com/neocc/)

CLA is for a stick and CLB is for auto...the CLC & CLD are for 1972 BB cars from what I recall.

CLB shows up as 1972 396 auto trans
I'm looking at the camaro white book maybe they are confused?72 bb cla,clb,crz,csz,cta,ctb,
71 bb clc,cld

[This message has been edited by jims73z (edited September 11, 2002).]

my book shows CLB with a th400, and CLA with a 3/4 speed, it also shows a CLC 3/4 speed, CLD th400 [last two unverified] this from chevy by the numbers book by A Colvin

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71 ss 350/4spd 69 nova 350/th350 www.americaniron.net (http://www.americaniron.net)

There is some confusion over the CLC & CLD codes. My 71 SS-396 has a 4-spd and is coded
CLA. I have seen other 71 BB cars, all with CLA &CLB codes...not to say the others didn't exist, but never seen any as of yet. There are several 71 BB owners on the board that may chime in on this..Greg

The chevy master code book is messed up (or confused) too.

CLB is listed as:
71 400 300GHP, TH350, Chevy, Chevelle, Camaro
72 400 210NHP, TH400, Chevy, monte, chevelle, Camaro
73 350....

CLA is
71 400, 300GHP, 3-4spd, Monte, Camaro
72 400, 240NHP, 3-4spd, Chevelle, Camaro
73 350....

CLC
71 402, 350GHP, M/T, Camaro
CLD
71 400, 350GHP, A/T, Camaro

I assume the "400" above is actually 402 - based on the hp rating (though CLC is listed as 402). Chevy confused the 400 small block with the 396/402 BBC.

Scenario:

"Stamp all the 1971 Camaros with 400 cubic inch with CLA. Stamp all the 402 Camaros with CLC".

OK boss. We stamped 'em all with CLA.
Whoops.

So, what was supposed to happen is listed in the books. And what actually happened is under your hood (CLA). (or CLB if automatic trans).

I'd bet CLC & CLD would be rarely seen if this were the case, or if they caught a mistake. Maybe it's plant specific? LA is stamped one way, and Norwood the other way?

fyi

The engine plants stamped the codes on the engines, not the final assembly plants which only stamped the VIN derivatives on the engines before they were painted and went into the car. The VIN had already been determined once the body began to be weldedup. Highly unlilely they would have installed the wrong engines and not caught it. More likely the documentation on what engine were installed is flawed..

The Chevrolet parts catalog shows these 1971 402 (marketed as SS396) Camaro engines;


CLC- Manual (350 HP)
CLD - T.H. 400 (350 HP

[This message has been edited by WS6 (edited September 14, 2002).]

There was no 350 hp 402 made in 71...maybe that explains the CLC/CLD...something that was going to be built, but cancelled just as the 454 was in 70...

Mine is an original Norwood car with AT, it has CLB.

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Original 71 SS 396(402)
TH400 3.42 posi 10 bolt
14 inch Rally Wheels
Added HEI, Edelbrock 1411, mild cam
http://www.geocities.com/kevinmckeown1/camarofirebird.htm