cajunclicker

Well ,I'm definitely going to get my bro n laws 59 over to my shop and work on getting it running/drivable, we ordered 4 tires from Zip this morning.I need a little help though on the ID of the engine that's in if anyone can help the stamp on the front block deck is FI228WA and the cast number on the block back next to the bell housing is 3849852.I also took this number of the carter carb 2366S K5 under the number.Any help identifying this stuff appreciated.

ChattanoogaJSB

I'll be looking forward to seeing your progress in this new thread!

Nowhere Man

Curious why you needed to buy tires from a resto house.

But WA is a truck 283/175 used either in 65-66.

cajunclicker

Thanks Nowhere Man, I just thought that I wouldn't be able to find them locally.Even though the engine is not correct for car,I think almost everything else is.I figured that I should try to keep as much stuff original as possible but maybe I'm wrong.The engine will be my first thing to tackle as since its a 283, I can find anything I need for it locally.Brakes will be next and there I might need some advice on what to go with.Thanks for any advice on what to use and where to find it.

cajunclicker

I just searched the block casting numbers on BILs 59 and what I found for #3849852 is 57-66 283 2 bolt main.Like I said earlier the engine stamp appears to be FI-228WA, I would like to be certain that this is /or not the numbers matching engine.Any help appreciated,I have three books ordered that will help in the future but I don't have yet.

Frankie the Fink

There is no "WA" stamp pad suffix for a '59 Corvette engine - pretty simple.
Not original...

ChattanoogaJSB

I didn't look up what tire you may have bought from zip, but be warned original bias ply reproduction tires are NOT going to be a positive if you are planning on your brother really driving this car. And diamondback will make you a wide whitewall radial, and your local tire store will sell you an excellent radial for much less if you want a black wall or thinner whitewall.

PS I have gotten excellent service ordering from ZIP every time.

emccomas

As was pointed out earlier, you have a TRUCK engine. The casting number of 3829852 tells us it is a 65-66 engine. The engine pad decodes as follows:

F = Flint
I228 = assembly date of Dec 28th
WA = 283, 175hp, 2bbl, manual trans in a truck

cajunclicker

The tires we ordered are Firestone non-radial with 2-11/16 white wall.We could have paid more for Radials with 2-1/2 whitewall.You think screwed up?

ChattanoogaJSB

It's just that the car will be way safer and much more enjoyable on radials. Bias plies are show tires. Most here would agree.

cajunclicker

Thanks chat I'll see if I can cancel order and get BIL to go with radials.I really like the look of the wide whitewall even though it not nos. matching.

corvetteed

You may already know this, but, I'll just mention it anyway.... the radials make a giant difference in how the car rides and handles. I had original type bias ply for years on my 58, and finally switched over to the radials. I should have done that right from the beginning. Could hardly have imagined the difference in ride that they make. Like night and day. You won't be sorry with the radials.

chevahaulic

The first thing your concerned with is numbers ??????????????
No offense but is the motor stuck, gas tank clean, frame rust, front suspension king pin setup sloppy, items I would deal with first. Numbers never made a car run / handle / be safe to drive on the highway. Priorities are like opinions, ...... everyone has them. Maybe I am a minority.
Good luck on the progress.

Brandons72vette

Post some pictures when you can!

Nowhere Man

We already know the engine is a NOM. so at this point I'm with you. Make it safe and fun

cajunclicker

I got my bro n law to call zip and talk to them about changing the tires we ordered to radials,but they had already shipped the bias tires.They had told me it would be about 2 weeks, tracking said they would arrive this evening.I did get him to order the three books that Revfan recommended, they should be in soon.I'm working 12 hour days until Wednesday but if tires make it in soon I will be getting car over to my shop late next week.I took a couple more pics.

Frankie the Fink

That car will need a lot of love; particularly under the hood!

cajunclicker

Ye,but that's my favorite part.What do you think I should use on that pitting like stuff on the chrome trim etc?

VeroWing

Looks like a fun project. I like the colors.

Frankie the Fink

There is no help for that short of re-plating....

If things are bad enough, and you aren't fanatical about originality, replacement window frames complete with all chrome parts and glass are available for like $2,200... But then you would still have to deal with the pitted door posts...and side view mirror.

Getting this stuff straight will be a significant expense no matter which route you take...