Radrichi

I just picked up a 62 corvette I know it doesn't have the correct engine but that s ok with me. The car came with a 283 in it the swap must have happened over 40 years ago because thats how long this car has been sitting inside a garage. What I have found so far is its a 1957 283/ 220 hp Not 100% on that but Im hoping someone can help me out...The cast # is 3731548 and the deck# FI 1226N
Thanks for whatever help...

emccomas

OK, something isn't quite right here. Engine code should be something like FI226N, where the letter I represents the digit 1.
Please double check your engine stamp.

F - Flint engine plant
I2 - Month of assembly (December)
26 - Day of assembly (26th)
N - Engine code - 283 ci, 160 hp, manual transmission in a truck

John S 1961

This means the original engine was broken and they put in whatever they could get cheap out of an old pickup!

No worries, get it running and driving safely and fix whats broken.

Survivors are going to be the big cash cows in the future.

Radrichi

Thanks for the quick response..... I added a the #1 by mistake, correct number it is FI226N thanks for your help.... Makes it much easier to change the color and drop a newer motor in Maybe first thing start looking for a better front suspension

ohiovet

The front suspension on 62 (and other C1s) is great.
Why change it??

6242

Absolutely keep the stock suspension. Rebuild it if you like, but it is plenty strong. If you tried to drop a 427 in there, that might be another story. There are plenty of 327's out there also. What's the plan? Restore back to original or modern updates.
Keep us posted, its always great to get another C1 back on the road.
Good luck.

Pop Chevy

Jimmy Myers . I just bought one , looks great ! It's your car , build it how you want. Some say the stock suspension is fine, I don't like it but I'm a racer. However ,I would recommend getting it running 1st. drive it some then decide.

Roger Walling

I just bought a 57 with a 350 4 speed and a 390 rear in it. It is way to much engine for the street. 1st gear is a waste, don't even need 3rd.
Be happy with your 283.

Radrichi

Back to the 283 for a sec, the number on the deck has the letter ( I ) in it, not a number (1) FI226N you said the I representing the digit 1.??? So do I still have a 1957 truck motor?

Thanks for your help...

AZDoug

Unless there are 22 months in a year, that I is probably supposed to a 1.

If there weren't some broach marks, i would suspect somebody stamped FI for Fuel Injection, etc, etc.

Doug

wmf62

no it's not...
Bill

emccomas

Yes. The letter "I" is commonly used to represent the digit "1" on these engine stamps.

Yes, you still have a 57 truck engine, assuming the block casting number is 548 (last the digits of the casting number. That casting number is 1957 only.

I concur with the "get it running first" idea. Much more motivation to work on a running car.

Plasticman

I will disagree.........unless you need power steering, then an "alternate" front suspension is probably needed.

Now note that some of us have increased girth, so we change out the 17" steering wheel for a smaller 15" wheel to gain more room, but then lose the leverage of that original 17" steering wheel, and wonder why we need power steering. A diet is cheaper....


Plasticman

Radrichi

Thanks for helping me out with the block ID.... And thanks for all the other Suggestions! I don't think I want to get it running with an old 283 because then I may not change it at all. I also have a 64 that I can drive around so making the 62 the project car makes more sense to me.

I cant believe I have been a Corvette owner for 28 years and never thought to join this or any other Forum. Thank you all for the quick responses and suggestions. I look forward to surfing the site and learning what other Vette owners are doing with there cars

BTW... My Father has a 1960 Vette and his drives a little like a truck thats why I was thinking of making the change also adding power steering would be nice since its kinda going to be my wife's Vette.

One more thing someone added 2 tail lights I kinda like it what do you all think?

wmf62

i've lost the 'girth', and i still think the truck suspension under the C1s is 'lacking'...

Bill

wmf62

i like the 6 tailights...

Bill

Plasticman

You have been driving around in too many mommy vans and Sebrings. They have spoiled you......it may be a 49-54 passenger car suspension, but it is not a truck.

John

Ironcross

SUCKS

this is correct, don't need any fuken extras....

Plasticman

Radrichi,

Just tell people that the only reason GM did not put on 6 tail lights ,was that it costs more......and you "fixed" it.


Hey Walt, your tail pipes are on "wrong"........

Plasticman

Pop Chevy

I like 6 tail lights ! I think they should have come that way. I put em on my 64 ! As I said before "to each his own". Some guy's like em stock some guy's (like me) like to hot rod em !