joevette57

I'm trying to pin down exactly what this engine originally was built for.
Casting # 3858174, 1964-1967-2bolt main, 4 barrel
Casting is A296, January 29, 1966
Here's where it gets interesting....
Pad stamp:F0I3IHCH
I checked and double checked... the I's are I's and not 1's. Think someone might have picked the wrong die up? (I instead of 1)

That would make sense..... Build date of Jan 31.
Now, about the HCH suffix,
HC is Impala 4-barrel, 275 horse. But I can't find a HCH suffix in any of my books.
OK... opinions???? Answers???

Thanks,
Joe :jester


[Modified by joevette57, 4:48 PM 4/26/2002]

Mr D.

Here Goes:

3858174: 1966, 327, Pass/Chevelle/Corvette. HP 275, 300, 350

F0131HCH: Flint, Build Date Jan 31,

HCH: 1966, Pass, 327, 275 hp, powerglide, holley carb.

I think you are on target as for the I vs 1.

joevette57

Thanks Mr D.
I knew I was close.

JV

JohnZ

If it actually has "HCH" on the pad, it's been restamped; the last "H" is a code for Holley carburetor, but it ONLY shows up as an added suffix digit on the Protect-O-Plate, and was NEVER stamped on an engine. Some re-stampers don't know this, and use the P-O-P code as their guide, which is wrong. Three-digit suffix codes didn't start until 1970. "I" and "1" were frequently interchanged. What is the partial VIN on the pad? That will tell exactly what it was originally installed in and at what assembly plant.

nolandadams@d-web.com

A previous note from JohnZ is 100% correct- this is a restamped block, and his explanation is correct. (This is also spelled out in my 1963-'67 book.) The number one in the engine code was always represented by the capital letter "I". This part is correct, as that's exactly how the engine assembly plant stamped the number. As far as the block goes, it's phony, and I wouldn't trust anything on or about it.
Cheers,
Noland Adams

joevette57

Since the engine is NOM anyway, I was just curious about what it was originally out of. And frankly, the engine just runs too damn good for me to worry about changing it.
John, there is no VIN stamped on the block just the build date.
Now for something really interesting......
I recieved an email from a fellow forum member last night. He has a 65 coupe as well. The stamp on his engine is F0I25HCH and his casting date is A186. So his engine was cast 11 days before mine and was built 11 days before mine.
Just seems funny that these two engines would wind up in two 65 coupes although his is an early build date and mine is late. (June). An both be stamped with a HCH suffix. If the engine is a restamp, they did a good job.... A few chevy guru's that have seen it said it looked legit. But I could not find any HCH suffix in my books either which is why I originally posted this. (From what I can find out, the engine has been in the car since the mid-70's

Thanks for the info John and Noland .

Joe





[Modified by joevette57, 10:38 AM 4/28/2002]

nolandadams@d-web.com

It seems to me that "1966L72" has given you all the correct information on the original use of the block. Since the original engine numbers are gone, there's no way to get any more information.
Since it runs good, I would just drive it an enjoy it. The engine numbers are only important when you sell it or have it judged at an NCRS function.
Bottom Line: Enjoy!
-Noland Adams

JohnZ

The lack of a VIN derivative on the stamp pad is the first clue that it's been re-stamped; every engine had one stamped on the pad at the assembly plant, and if it's gone, it's because the block has been decked during a rebuild. Decking removes both stamps (engine plant code and assembly plant VIN derivative), so if the engine plant code is all by itself, it was added back after the block was decked.

As Noland said, just enjoy it! Even in NCRS judging, the stamp pad is only worth 88 of the 613 points allocated to the engine block (assuming the block casting number is correct for the car and the casting date is within 6 months prior to the car's assembly date), so it's possible to make Top Flight even with a blank or incorrect stamp pad if the rest of the car is correct. The whole car is allocated 4500 points, and you can lose up to 270 points and still make it.


[Modified by JohnZ, 2:52 PM 4/28/2002]

Kevs67

Here it is again, a picture of my stamp, this time showing the use of I's insted of 1's