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Hello, going over to a friend of my fathers Saturday to help him load and move a '60 that has been garaged for the last 20 years. He's going to get it running again and evaluate what it needs. He bought the car in the 80's and did not know if it retained it's original engine. Did they start putting the VIN suffix on the blocks back in '60? Or was it later than that? I know that my '65 had it. If not, any other numbers I should look for on the block which are fairly visible to at least see that the block is "correct"? Thanks, Ed
Hello, going over to a friend of my fathers Saturday to help him load and move a '60 that has been garaged for the last 20 years. He's going to get it running again and evaluate what it needs. He bought the car in the 80's and did not know if it retained it's original engine. Did they start putting the VIN suffix on the blocks back in '60? Or was it later than that? I know that my '65 had it. If not, any other numbers I should look for on the block which are fairly visible to at least see that the block is "correct"? Thanks, Ed
Hello, going over to a friend of my fathers Saturday to help him load and move a '60 that has been garaged for the last 20 years. He's going to get it running again and evaluate what it needs. He bought the car in the 80's and did not know if it retained it's original engine. Did they start putting the VIN suffix on the blocks back in '60? Or was it later than that? I know that my '65 had it. If not, any other numbers I should look for on the block which are fairly visible to at least see that the block is "correct"? Thanks, Ed
A 1960 Corvette should have a block with a casting number of 3756519, which was used in all horse power applications. The same block was also used in 1959 and 1961.
A 1960 Corvette should have a block with a casting number of 3756519, which was used in all horse power applications. The same block was also used in 1959 and 1961.
Moved the car yesterday, and got the VIN... (00867S100297). Is that the 297th car built for the 60 model year? There were no VIN suffix #'s on the stamp pad. The car had one repaint, and looks to be all original... Not sure what the stamp pad #'s translate to, as I could not find anything on "DB"? The engine stamp reads: F0406DB
Hmm - well, the good news first. Yes, that VIN means it is the 297th 1960 Corvette built, at the St Louis plant.
The bad: That DB suffix is not a Corvette engine. You would need to find the block casting number - on the top back of the engine block to know which of these it is for sure, but it is either:
- 1958 283 powerglide, truck
- 1965 283 4 spd, A body
- 1968 307 4 spd, F, X, or A body
Maybe from a 1968 Camaro?????
The "0406" just means that it was manufactured on April 6th but we don't know what year without more information.
Hmm - well, the good news first. Yes, that VIN means it is the 297th 1960 Corvette built, at the St Louis plant.
The bad: That DB suffix is not a Corvette engine. You would need to find the block casting number - on the top back of the engine block to know which of these it is for sure, but it is either:
- 1958 283 powerglide, truck
- 1965 283 4 spd, A body
- 1968 307 4 spd, F, X, or A body
Maybe from a 1968 Camaro?????
The "0406" just means that it was manufactured on April 6th but we don't know what year without more information.
gotcha... a bit disappointing, but nevertheless, it's an early car! Thank you, I'll respond back to what the block casting # is when we do a closer inspection. Appreciate all your help! -Ed
gotcha... a bit disappointing, but nevertheless, it's an early car! Thank you, I'll respond back to what the block casting # is when we do a closer inspection. Appreciate all your help! -Ed
ok, they pulled the motor today, and the block casting number is 3756519.....This is correct for a 58-61 283, right? The engine stamp pad is: F0406DB. Previous responses state that the DB suffix is not a Corvette motor. Given the Block casting number, this is likely a '59 283 truck engine, or a '65 283 "A" body passenger car engine. Are there any other numbers on the block that would identify what year the engine is so we could determine what it is/what it came out of ?
Thanks a bunch, Ed
Last edited by jedjr59restomd; Nov 17, 2015 at 06:51 PM.
Well, that block casting number was used for more than just 59 to 61 Corvettes. it was used in a variety of Chevrolet products from 1958 to 1962.
Based on the combination of the casting number and the stamp pad, I'd say that engine came from a 1958 truck, with a Powerglide, 2bbl carb, and a 170HP rating.
I believe that is the only use that fits that combination of that casting number and engine code.
Last edited by tuxnharley; Nov 17, 2015 at 07:48 PM.
Reason: Typo
Well, that block casting number was used for more than just 59 to 61 Corvettes. it was used in a variety of Chevrolet products from 1958 to 1962.
Based on the combination of the casting number and the stamp pad, I'd say that engine came from a 1958 truck, with a Powerglide, 2bbl carb, and a 170HP rating.
I believe that is the only use that fits that combination of that casting number and engine code.
Yep, sounds like it.... darn.. thanks for the confirmation....