carlosfueyo

Hi to all of you,

I have seen a 1956 Corvette and seller says that it is matching numbers.

Could you please letme know if these numbers are correct?

Chasis # E568002813
Engine # 0666730
Casting # 3720981

Should I ask him for any other numbers?

Thank you for your help
Carlos
Spain

Chuck Gongloff

Hi Carlos.

No expert, but I see 2 things.

1. The SN should be E56S NOT E568, probably a typo.

2. The engine casting number should be 3720991 NOT "981".

What is the casting date of the block? The number sequence on the pad could be OK.

Chuck

Mark Lovejoy

The Chassis Number should be E56S002813

The stamped engine numbers are incomplete, there should be two distinct sets.
"Engines were serial numbered in sequence starting with 0001001 at the beginning of each model year. There is no correlation between this engine number and the vehicle identification number.... 1954-56 engine serial numbers were followed by the source designation letter (F for Flint) model year (56) and engine type suffix code. (two letters FK, GV, FG, GR or GU)" This information taken from the NCRS pocket guide.

The engine casting number should be 3720991.

Ask the seller to take a closer look at the numbers to verify and ask for the second set of stamped numbers (the one that starts with F). That will tell what engine/transmission combination it has.

Good luck.

bill connell

Carlos raises an interesting question. What does "numbers matching" really mean?Some use this term to describe a car that simply has drive train part numbers and date codes that are consistent with the build date of the car. Others however use this to describe a car in which every number on the car is consistent with the build date. Does NCRS have a specific definition of this term?

mdz06vetter

this is taken from "Doc" Cobine's web page

There are many levels of numbers that should match, and I'll list some of them here.

Body VIN The Vehicle Identification Number of your car. From '53 to '60, it is in the driver's side door jam. From '60 to '62, it is on the steering column in the engine compartment. From '63 to '67, it is under the glove box. From '68 to '82, it is in the driver's side windshield pillar.

Engine Casting Number The part number cast into the block when made. See Engine Block.

Casting Date The date of the casting of the block. See Engine Block.
Partial VIN Stamped on the engine pad located in front of the right head. An engine identifier is also stamped here. See Engine Block.

Bellhousing Casting Number The part number cast into the right side near starter.

Transmission Casting Number Part Number cast into the case and tailshaft when made.

Date code Usually the casting date is in the body but this is the case date. The assembly date is stamped in as part of identifier code.
Partial VIN Stamped along top of mounting ear in some, along joint of main case, or on a raised pad in the main body (newer T-10).

Rear End Date code Cast in drivers side of housing for the case of '63-'79. In straight axle '53 to '62 Corvettes, the identifier is stamped on the front right side. In the IRS, the assembly date is stamped in identifier on the bottom flange.

Gear ratio Stamped in bottom flange as part of identifier as a letter code, such as AW.

Alternator/Generator Part Number Stamped on top with date and amperage rating.

Date Code Stamped on top along with amperage rating and part number.

Water Pump Casting Number

Casting Date Code Cast on front of the pump.

Radiator Part Number Stamped in aluminum, embossed in copper.

Date Code Stamped in Aluminum.

Distributor Part number Stamped in aluminum housings and embossed on a tag on iron units.

Date Code Same as Part Number

Window Glass
Date Codes Each window has its own as part of the marking.

Carburetor Date Code Either on brass tag or stamped in air horn or body, depending on the carb.

Part Number Either on brass tag or stamped into air horn or body, depending on the carb.

Fuel Injection '57-'65 Part Number Stamped on a metal tag on the left front of the plenum.

Date Code

Serial Number Stamped on side of Plenum for the first hundred or so in 1957 and then were stamped on the metal tag. The serial number does not have to correspond to the car's serial number.

Heads Casting Number Usually cast on top under rocker arms.

Date Code Usually cast on top under rocker arms.

Mike Ward

NCRS avoids use of this term for a lot of good reasons.

Randy G.

This would not apply to a '56.

carlosfueyo

Thank you for all your comments.

I will try to get an agreement with the seller, hopefully I will be a Corvette guy.

Thank you