Exhaust manifolds cast dates?
 

Would a pair of J-8-1971 Date coded exhaust manifolds be date correct for a 72 Chevy Nova 350 engine built in January 20-1972? Looks like J stands for October-8-1971. Would this still pass for date code judging at a car show?

Dan, J is for October. You should be looking for late November or even sometime in December. Those would be the perfect date timeline. If you already have the October dated manifolds, I would go ahead and use them. Date codes are on the back side anyway, so no one would see them unless they use a small folding type of mirror.

Mark appreciate your info. I already had these exhaust manifolds on the shelf for a good 4 years and decided to take a harder look what exactly i had. Agree J is October and wish i had closer cast dates. I will keep them but probably never install them on my Nova. Leave the headers on. When i purchased these exhaust manifolds the guy said they were removed from a 72 Nova SS. You are right about date code locations not seeing them.

69 BB.
Less than a month prior.
Many things dated Jan on car.

Curious what car show is judging dates on the BACK SIDE of Exhaust Manifolds..........

I was recently at the 2025 CAMARO Natl's and forgot to ask the LEGEND Judges
about the REALITY of Seeing Exh Manifold dates ??????????