Usafstingray

Esteemed Corvette Experts,
I noticed many of you love to evaluate engine codes. I've attached a couple of pics. The pad reads TO324HCH. Notice no VIN. Casting # is 3838180 and date code C286. Obviously not the original engine for this car. I'm interested in hearing what the experts think of this one.




Thanks!

wombvette

Got a little funky stuff going on there. Cast on the 28 th. assembled on the 24 th. Not possible. the 28 may actually be a 23. In that case probably a 66 camaro engine, 275 HP with Holley. I am not really familiar with the cameros engines but typically Tonawanda used two letters for the date, and this one does not.

gbvette62

HCH is a 66 passenger car 327/275, 4 bbl, with a Powerglide. It's not a Corvette engine, because it was assembled in Tonawanda (the "T" in the stamping indicates Tonawanda NY). All Corvette small blocks were assembled in Flint MI.

I suspect that the casting number is actually 3858180, not 3838180. The 3858180 block was used for 327's from 64-67.

The fact that there is no VIN number on the block, leads me to believe that it was an engine purchased through Chevrolet parts, and not factory installed in a car.

65GGvert

Unless they made 67 Camaro engines in Mar 66, it's not a Camaro. The Camaro came out in 67.

wombvette

You are correct.

emccomas

HCH is 1966 327, 275 hp, Holley Carb, powerglide, in a passenger car.

I am guessing that the date code of C286 may be C266 (March 2nd, 1966. A casting date of March 28 and an assembly date of March 24 doesn't make sense.

Donald #31176

One item not mentioned is if this is a Tonawanda casting how come the casting date year is a single digit? Thought Tonawanda blocks had double digits.

gbvette62

True. The "T" stamped on the pad indicates that the engine was assembled at Tonawanda, not where it was cast.

Besides the difference in the casting dates, Flint blocks have a 1/8th NPT plug in the right front of the block. Tonawanda blocks don't have the plug.

Unfortunately, from the way the OP's picture is cropped, the location of the plug can't be seen. If it is a Flint block, the plug will be located to the right of the stamp pad, just out of view in the picture.

emccomas

Here is an enlargement of the date code on the block. It really does look like C23 6 (with emphasis on the spacing).



There are some exceptions to the "two digit year code for Tonawanda blocks" rule. This is the second one I have seen (the other was a 64 327) where the date code was in this location (90 degrees from what we normally expect to see in date codes)

In any event, not a Corvette block.

Usafstingray

You guys got it right, my eyes suck or read it after too many beers. The casting # is 3858180 and the date code is C236. Correct on it not being a Corvette motor. So, why would anyone put this in a 65 Corvette? I bought this car for a good price at auction knowing the engine was not correct. Oh, the crap I keep finding as I peal the onion...the car has not been restored, but obviously kludged together over many years. I've got a 327/365 block in the garage ready to build. That TO block won't be in there for much longer.

Mike Ward

Back then nobody cared about numbers. Today 99% don't know and still don't care.