1972 Chevelle Engine ID Suffix Codes

 

The engine identification code consists of the engine assembly plant, the engine assembly date, and 3 letter suffix indicating the cubic inch displacement, the horsepower rating, and generally, what type of transmission was to be installed with the engine. Manual transmissions required a bushing in the rear of the bellhousing where an automatic transmission did not. Many engine "accessories" such as the carburetor, alternators, and power steering units were not installed at the engine assembly plant but rather at the final assembly plant.

 

Engine stamp samples

 

1964

1965

1966

1967

1968

1969

1970

1971

1972

Engine			Transmission	Notes
Code	Size-Carb	HP-RPO
CAH	250-1	110-L22	Manual	Low Compression Engine
CBA	250-1	110-L22	Manual	NB2
CBD	250-1	110-L22	Manual	Taxi, NB2
CBG	250-1	110-L22	Manual
CBJ	250-1	110-L22	Powerglide
CBK	250-1	110-L22	Powerglide	Taxi
CDL	250-1	110-L22	Powerglide	A.I.R.
CDM	250-1	110-L22	Standard	A.I.R.
CSD	250-1	110-L22	Powerglide	NB2
307 ↓
CAY	307-2	130-L14	Manual	NB2
CAZ	307-2	130-L14	Powerglide	NB2
CKG	307-2	130-L14	Standard
CKH	307-2	130-L14	Powerglide
CMA	307-2	130-L14	TH-350	NB2
CTK	307-2	130-L14	TH-350
350 ↓
CAR	350-2	L65-L65	TH-350	Police,  NB2
CDA *	350-2	L65-L65	Manual	NB2
CDB **	350-2	L65-L65	Powerglide	NB2
CDD *	350-4	175-L48	TH-350	NB2
CDG	350-4	175-L48	Manual	NB2
CKA *	350-2	L65-L65	Manual
CKB *	350-2	L65-L65	TH-350
CKD *	350-4	175-L48	TH-350
CKK	350-4	175-L48	Manual
CMD *	350-2	L65-L65	TH-350	NB2
CSH	350-2	L65-L65	TH-350	Police
CTL *	350-2	L65-L65	TH-350
402 ↓
CLA	402-4	240-LS3	Manual	(1)
CLB *	402-4	240-LS3	TH-400	(1)
CLS	402-4	240-LS3	Manual	(1)
CTA	402-4	240-LS3	Manual	A.I.R., Police, Taxi
CTB *	402-4	240-LS3	TH-400	A.I.R.
CTH	402-4	240-LS3	Manual	A.I.R.
CTJ	402-4	240-LS3	TH-400	A.I.R., Police, Taxi
454 ↓
CPA	454-4	270-LS5	Manual-M22
CPD **	454-4	270-LS5	TH-400
CRW *	454-4	270-LS5	TH-400	A.I.R.
CRX	454-4	270-LS5	Manual-M22	A.I.R.

Engine production totals are listed for U.S. production only.

 

(1) CLA, CLB, and CLS engine codes are shown in numerous publications but there is an ongoing debate if a 402 engine without A.I.R. was ever installed in a 1972 Chevelle regardless of final assembly plant. If anyone has documented proof such as a build sheet showing either CLA, CLB, or CLS engine codes, and NOT SHOWING RPO K19, please contact me via the Contact page.

 

Those noted with "Police" and/or "Taxi" does not mean these engines were used exclusively in police vehicles or taxi cabs. It simply indicates they were used in those vehicles along with normal, civilian passenger cars.

 

GM's own 'Restoration Kit' only shows CLA & CLB but does not mention anything about A.I.R.  However, all 1972 Chevelle build sheets I have code the LS3 as either TA or TB.

* Includes Monte Carlo
** Monte Carlo exclusive

LS5 engine codes CPA and CPD are noted in some GM documentation but to date no build sheet for a 1972 Chevelle with an LS5 show either of these codes; only CRW and CRX.

NB2 - California required equipment includes AIR and camshaft with longer valve overlap.

A total of 21,779 6-cyl engines were reported installed in Chevelles.
A total of 562,604 8-cyl engines were installed in Chevelles and Monte Carlos; 165,706 307-cid, 373,268 350-cid, and 23,630 402/454-cid engines. However, this does not match the total of 8-cyl cars reportedly built in the U.S. of 578,052. This is a difference of 15,488 8-cyl units with no engines.

 

Engines reported for the (U.S.-built) Monte Carlo (163,087) does not match the production figure of 163,085 cars. Those break down to 151,859 350-cid, 9,960 402-cid and 1,268 454-cid engines. Seems to be 2 extra engines reported.

 

Chevrolet reports 584,532 transmissions on the Accumulative Production Report of July 31, 1972. This number is only for U.S.-built Chevelles. This figure does not match the total reported U.S.-built Chevelles of 584,530. This is a difference of 2 transmissions (all types) without cars to put them in. The listed transmissions for the (U.S.-built) Monte Carlo does match the 163,087 engine production but not reported model production number of 163,085.

 

There is some breakdown of engines or transmissions imported from Canada. Hopefully there will be more as more information becomes available. From Vintage Vehicle Services documentation it is known:
* Of the 21,106 Malibu sport coupes imported into the U.S. 1,542 were equipped with RPO Z15, 266 of those were equipped with RPO LS5, 149 were equipped with the M22 H.D. 4-speed (leaving the remaining 117 equipped with the M40 Turbo Hydramatic 400).
* Of the 21,106 Malibu sport coupes imported into the U.S. 1,542 were equipped with RPO Z15, 520 of those were equipped with RPO LS3, 807 were equipped with the M20, and 226 equipped with ZL2.
* Of 8,083 Malibu sport coupes built in Canada for Canada sales, 152 were equipped with the LS5 engine option.

Engine Date/Suffix Code Stamp

T0924CM - Tonawanda Engine Plant, September 24 (1971), CM(A), 307-2, TH350. Note the "A" in the suffix code does not appear to have been stamped.

 

Engine tune label for LS5 engines.

 

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