claudeC1'60

Hi guys,
I assume the engine installed on my ’60 is not original so I would like to know exactly what I have. I did make some research online and all I found was the code tells me it’ from an Impala auto trans.
Can anybody confirm this and maybe add some more info ?

Thanks,
Claude

plaidside

From the information I have the block was used 1962 and 1963 passenger car and commercial trucks.
The pad and stamp look original but I am having trouble finding OD engine code.
I will keep looking.
Joe

Velox

Actually the pad reads Flint plant (F) the date as Sept 20 (0920) and the suffix code is D which is for 283 engine, 195 HP, 2 BBL, powerglide, and this would be a 1963 model year full size Chevy.

SledgeHammer 2.0

That's messed up...
Plaidside, the OD should only be a D
F0920D F= Flint, 09 = September, 20 =020th day, D= Either 58 or 60 283 Powerglide

The casting says it's a 62-63, the pad says it's a 58 or 60.

looks like you beat me to it by a couple of seconds..

Velox

I would think the pad is just fine for a 1963 model year full size Chevy 283CID 195HP powerglide car. Starting in 1962, most high performance engines would be stamped with the cars VIN but this left out all other powerplants and cars built prior to '62. (it wasn't until 1968 that mandatory VIN stamping on all engines was enacted)

emccomas

The VIN derivatives were added sporadically through the 1960s. Corvettes got VIN derivatives for all engines starting during the 1960 model year.

Some high performance (409, etc.) engines got the VIN derivatives at various times.

I used to own a 1965 Impala with a 396 engine that did not have the VIN derivative on the engine pad.

The "D" engine suffix code was a 283, either 170 or 195 hp (depending on year), 2 bbl, powerglide in a passenger car from 1958 to 1964.

claudeC1'60

OK thanks for the confirmation

Now, the question is : what to do to be as close as possible from a “corvette-like” engine at a reasonable cost, knowing that I have already the 4bbls Carter carb ?
In other words, what are the main differences between a ’60 corvette engine and the one I have ?

emccomas

What horsepower engine are you trying to replicate? Is your car a manual trans or a powerglide?

Start by locating a correctly dated 1960 block, heads, etc. If you car is a manual trans car, look for an engine suffix code of C. If a powerglide, look for an engine code of D.

claudeC1'60

Manual 4 gear trans.
What I want to do is change as few parts as possible to get the 230 hp like the original engine (camshaft, pistons, heads for instance).
My gut feeling is that the hunt for an original and period correct corvette engine will be very long and costly, plus I will have to overhaul it, so a crate 350 would be my preference , as I already don't have a matching number car.

emccomas

Depends on what you have now in terms of parts, but I seem to recall that just about everything but the rods and crank (and block, of course) are different from the 230 hp 4 bbl Corvette engine, and the passenger car 2 bbl engine.

Best option would be to get the Assembly Instruction Manual, probably the NCRS judging manual (parts identification) and the Chevrolet by the Numbers for 1960-1964. Those three references will tell you pretty much everything you need to know about your engine.

Good luck with it, and let us know how it is going.