Consumers have access to 1972 Monte Carlos that were fitted with one of several different types of internal combustion engines. All available engines offer normal aspiration and an overhead valve train. The 1972 Chevy Monte Carlo is available featuring a front-mounted, 454-cubic inch, 402-cubic inch or 350-cubic inch displacement engine. These engines were designed with eight cylinders in a "V" orientation. Each cylinder in these V8 engines features two valves for a total of 16 valves in the whole engine.
In terms of horsepower and torque, the different engines fitted into 1972 Monte Carlos offer different performances. One version of the 350-cubic inch engine offers 165 horsepower at 4,000 rotations per minute, rpm. This engine produces 280 foot-pounds torque at 2,400 rpm. The other version of the 350-cubic inch engine produces 175 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 280 foot-pounds torque at 2,400 rpm. The 402-cubic inch engine in the 1972 Monte Carlo produces 210 horsepower when it is run at 4,400 rpm and 320 foot-pounds torque at 2,400 rpm. The other 402-cubic inch version offers 240 horsepower at 4,400 rpm and 345 foot-pounds torque at 3,200 rpm. The 1972 454-cubic inch Monte Carlo engine produces 270 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and offers 390 foot-pounds torque at 3,200 rpm.
All first generation Monte Carlos were designed with the same 112-inch wheelbase -- length between mid front wheel to rear axle. These vehicles were also only designed as two-door, rear-wheel drive coupes. All 1972 Monte Carlos are designed to run on regular gasoline; fuel is fed to the engine via a carburetor system. The 1972 Monte Carlo offers appropriate seating for a maximum four passengers. While the standard transmission on these Monte Carlos is an automatic, consumers have access to 1972 Monte Carlos that feature four-speed manual transmissions. These vehicles were manufactured to a weight of 3,500 lbs.