Beebs29

I recently bought a vintage dirt racing car from the 60s and was told it has a 56-57 Corvette engine in it, The block is 3720991 and the date code I believe is B106 I would like to know if it is actually a corvette engine.

oldskydog

What is stamped on the pad?

Beebs29

Where am I looking at to find that? Sorry little newer to this whole thing

Beebs29

0307767F56FB was another # i found on the block

jim lockwood

You've got a 265 cu in engine out of a '56 passenger car. Not a Corvette engine, but it has value; someone would want it.

Beebs29

How can you tell? Sorry im just interested in learning how to tell the difference

gbvette62

The FB suffix in the stamp pad number you posted indicates a 55 or 56 265, 4 bbl, "Power Pac" engine, with a Powerglide trans, in a passenger car body.

The casting date is February 10, 1956 (B106), so the the engine is from a 56 Chevy, not a 55.

Panama 58

I believe GBVette answered your basic question. Since you are in the process of learning, let me add these. The numbers leading up to the F56 is a production number and has nothing to do a VIN number other than correlating an early casting date to an early production number. (you don't want a big production number with an early casting date. This would indicate that someone messed with the numbers). They did not stamp the VIN or VIN derivative on these early Corvettes as they did on later model years.

The F prior to the 56 indicates that it was a Flint, MI cast block. This is important because all corvette engines were cast in Flint. If it were a T, it would indicate Tonawanda, NY where most of the passenger cars engine blocks were cast.

So, the good news is you do have a "991 block, a February 10, 1956 casting date and a Flint block, all needed by someone with a March through May production 1956 Corvette looking for a period correct engine block. The only thing not in your favor is the FB suffix code at the end of the stamp. There are several sources for looking up all applicable suffix codes on the internet. I hope that helps.
Panama58

tuxnharley

That sure looks like an original 2bbl carb and manifold in the picture....?

gbvette62

I agree, but every suffix list I have shows FB as a 4 bbl. Depending on the rules for the series or sanctioning body that the car was raced in, it may have been required to run a 2 bbl.


TYPE MODEL DESCRIPTION
Z 15-21-2400 Regular "235" Engine - 6 Cylinder
ZC 15-21-2400 Regular "235" Engine - 6 Cylinder with Heavy Duty Clutch
Y 15-21-2400 "235" - 6Cylinder Powerglide
G 15-21-2400 8 Cylinder with 3-Speed Transmission
GC 15-21-2400 8 Cylinder with Overdrive
GQ 15-21-2400 8 Cylinder with Air Conditioning and Overdrive
GE 15-21-2400 8 Cylinder with Power Pack and Overdrive
GF 15-21-2400 8 Cylinder with 3-Speed and Air Conditioning
GJ 15-21-2400 8 Cylinder with Heavy Duty Clutch
GK 15-21-2400 8 Cylinder with Heavy Duty Clutch and Air Conditioning
GL 15-21-2400 8 Cylinder with Power Pack
GM 15-21-2400 8 Cylinder with Power Pack and Air Conditioning
GN 15-21-2400 8 Cylinder with Power Pack, Overdrive and Air Conditioning
GR Corvette 8 Cylinder with 3-Speed Transmission
F 15-21-2400 8 Cylinder with Powerglide
FB 15-21-2400 8 Cylinder with Powerglide and Power Pack
FC 15-21-2400 8 Cylinder with Powerglide and Air Conditioning
FD 15-21-2400 8 Cylinder with Powerglide, Air Conditioning and Power Pack
FG Corvette 8 Cylinder with Powerglide
X* 31-32-36-3800 Thriftmaster "235"
XG* 31-32-36-3800-4000 Thriftmaster "235" with Hydramatic Transmission
W 34-35-3700 Thriftmaster "235" - Updraft Carburetor - Forward Control
WA 34-35-3700 Thriftmaster "235" - Updraft Carburetor with Hydramatic Transmission - Forward Control
V** 31-32-36-3800-4000 Thriftmaster "235" Heavy Duty Clutch
U*** 4000-6000 Loadmaster "235"
UD 4000 Loadmaster "235" with Hydramatic Transmission
TA 6000 Jobmaster "261" - 6 Cylinder
A* 31-32-36-3800-4000 8 Cylinder Regular
B* 31-32-36-3800-4000 8 Cylinder Hydramatic Transmission
M* 31-32-36-3800-4000 8 Cylinder Heavy Duty Clutch
D 34-35-3700 8 Cylinder Forward Control
DA 34-35-3700 8 Cylinder Forward Control Hydramatic
DB 34-35-3700 8 Cylinder Forward Control - Heavy Duty Clutch

Beebs29

The intake is a 1959 chevy apache 283 I ran the casting numbers know that. Looks like they just threw together whatever they had laying around. Is it worth pulling the motor and selling it or am I just better off leaving it in the car and running it as is?

bluestreak63

Since it's not a corvette block, I would leave it in the car and run it as is.