yaww

My question about my 58 is whether engine was stamped after full assembly or as bare block? In other words, are below dates logical, mainly can heads be produced after engine is stamped?:

- engine cast: 11 dec (57)
- engine stamp: 12 dec
- but heads dated: jan 58
- VIN Is feb 58

Thanks

Mike67nv

The Flint engine plant stamped small blocks with the heads installed during midyear production and I assume they also did in '58. Regardless, January (you didn't give the day) heads would not be original to a block with an assembly stamp date of 12 December. One day between cast and assembly dates is not typical but other cases have been documented. Four to six weeks between engine build date and car assembly date was typical.

62corvette

Short answer: no way.

yaww

It was too short Which one is the constraint? Is everything logical besides the dates on heads? Can the engine be stamped after one day of casting date?

Mike67nv

Yes, there are many reported cases of the engine build date being one day after the casting date. Two days to two weeks was more typical.

Sorry, but your January heads are not original to an engine with a December build date.