1957 corvette
That's a LONG time between casting date and car assembly.
To the best of my knowledge, all posi cases have a large, elongated "P" on them.
Chuck


The VIN did not appear on the engine pad until mid to late '60.
I believe it is acceptable to NCRS judging for the engine to have been manufactured up to around six months before the car was assembled. So, dates should be acceptable. If I am wrong, someone who knows NCRS judging better than me will chime in.
I believe all factory posi cases has the cast "P".





On the early housings I believe they had no external markings and then some had an "X" on them. The "X" housings usually sell for stupid money.





The first posi cases DID NOT, repeat, DID NOT have any indication of posi, except the casting number and the stamped code (plain case).
Then, about the end of Jan/beginning Feb 57, the posi cases had an X cast near the big GM.
About Apr 57, the X was replaced with the big P.
Rears were built at the Buffalo (NY) plant and the Detroit Gear and Axle plant.
Corvettes got rears ONLY from the Detroit plant.
The stamped code on Buffalo built rears will begin with a B.
The stamped code on Detroit built rears will begin with an A (later HD brake rears will begin with an F).
Buffalo posi rears will have a thick P.
Detroit posi rears will have a thin P.
Thus, CORRECT Corvette posi rears will have a thin P (the ones built after Apr 57) and a stamped code beginning with an A.
Buffalo posi (thick P).

Detroit posi (thin P)
Last edited by DZAUTO; Mar 20, 2008 at 07:24 PM.
Positration answer is from Tom and right on the money.
I currently have a real #3743833 case (used in 1957 only) with a very small "X" positioned on the right side of the casting number. It is a postrication unit dated 'A187 ' (Jan 18, 1957) and I will sell it.
Every factory engine that I have seen installed as well as records that Mike Hunt discovered from original cars in the 70's, has an engine date about two to three weeks prior to the built date of the car. The actual build dates of 57 Corvettes has never been completely released as Chevrolet never could find the data. The Black Book and NCRS Judging manual has very good estimates, but also some conflicts.
In any case, the 6 month window NCRS has used for years is very generous at best. 3 to 5 weeks is much more realistic.
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No VIN. Stamp could also have more numbers based on double digit month. Example- FII27EG. Positioned in the bottom left corner of the pad.
Garry
On the early housings I believe they had no external markings and then some had an "X" on them. The "X" housings usually sell for stupid money.
About Apr 57, the X was replaced with the big P.
Rears were built at the Buffalo (NY) plant and the Detroit Gear and Axle plant.
Corvettes got rears ONLY from the Detroit plant.
The stamped code on Buffalo built rears will begin with a B.
The stamped code on Detroit built rears will begin with an A (later HD brake rears will begin with an F).
Question:
Where is the stamped code located? Does it show up on the 'X' rears?
Al





The code should begin with the letter A followed by a second letter and then followed by 3-4 numbers.












