johnbright1964

I am a proud owner of a 1963 SWC and need to determine if my engine is anywhere close to a 1963 Engine/Crate Engine.
Engine number is F0509SA - car built May 21 1963 (so I'm told)
is this a proper engine number as a Chevy replacement engine close to the build date above?

A friend and I reviewed major components and can not determine the validity of the engine under the hood... any help would be appreciated.
JohnB

rkj427

Welcome to the forum.

The C1 & C2 forum area may be able to assist you

Geralds57

Welcome to the forum. Your numbers are the assembly date and tranny/hp id. It's May 9 when engine was assembled but SA is not for a 63 corvette. SA is 250hp powerglide with A/C for 62/63. There should also be the vin stamping with it. On the rear of the engine on the drivers side you'll find the engine 7 digit casting number. On the upper passenger side rear of the block is a date casting number when the block was cast but it's difficult to see. By the way, it's an unwritten law to post pictures.

Bluestripe67

Please list the casting number as found on the back of the block and the rest of the numbers on the front pad. Having said that, I don't think what you have is the original engine. Dennis

jimgessner

F0509SA = Flint, Mi assembly plant, 0509= May 9, 1963, ''SA''= 327/250hp passenger engine with power glide and AIR Conditioning. The casting number should be 3782870. These cast engines were used in all 1962 thru 1965 Corvette and passenger cars.

The casting date, located in the rear of the block passenger side under the vent tube should be something like E13 for E=May, 1, 3=1963. It may hay a D203 or close [D=April, 20, 1963]

Vin numbers were on 300hp and larger hp engines. 250hp did not see vin numbers on passenger cars. All Corvettes got the last vin numbers stamped..

johnbright1964

I have finally completed my research and reviewed all information:
VIN:30837S103882
Transmission has the vin number stamped;
The Block casting numbers are as follows: GM 3 / 3782870 and D213
The Carburetor is: K8-37213B
Pictures are attached

hedgehead

Red with saddle, lovely car.

johnbright1964

The car was repainted prior to my purchase; Originally Saddle Tan / Tan

vettebuyer6369

Saddle was the only color available in leather in '63.

Congrats on nice car.

Frankie the Fink

Nice car...get rid of that rubber fuel line...get the correct Carter AFB hardline, a GF-90 fuel filter and the bracket to hold it. Long Island Corvettes has all of that and it'll make the car safer and more correct looking...

If that is a power brake booster rubber line at the back of the carb on the DS, Long Island will have the correct intake bracket to secure that correctly as well...

The Carter carb is a 3721SB not a 37213B. They are fine-running, easy to maintain carburetors...

johnbright1964

Yes - they are leather - but split on the drivers side - rough looking during a car show...
I am still evaluating and researching components for a full restoration or partial... Need so much more information about my car

Frankie the Fink

You can go to this web site: http://corvette-world.com/news.html
Click on "Corvette Specifications" and find all the number stuff for your split window.

There are some excellent resources right here in Critter1, Rich Yanulis and a dozen other people.

One caution -- there are repro parts and there are repro parts. The 63 stuff is particularly problematic (headliners, windshield washer nozzles, exhaust tailpipe shields, glove box doors, etc.) from vendors. Check back here before you launch off on some big parts order!

Some stuff is not only one-year-only, it might be three-month-only...or completely wrong...

johnbright1964

I will definitely use a reputable vendor - will also use this forum to discuss any purchases and review discussion boards for other advice as well - Thank You

MOXIE62

According to a carb table I looked at, SB is for a 64 car. Only "S" for a 63, which is what's on my 63 carb, 3461S

johnbright1964

I agree - and will continue to research more components...
Thank You

jimgessner

Frank is correct. Please tell us more about the car. TRIM TAG photo will help. 1963 has many running changes thruout the production year. Also what is the redline on the tach? Your engine is dressed as a 340hp solid lifer motor. Does the car have a 4 speed or Powerglide automatic. Is the radio a AM only, or does it have the AM/FM slide bar. Late production cars had AM/FM.

Vin 3842 was built around Wednesday Nov 27, 1962, so your engine should have a October 1962 casting date, or ''J'' code such as J102= Oct 10, 1962. Your D213= April 21, 1963 which is to late for this car.

Any 63 SWC is worth restoring and better yet driving and enjoying. You have a great car. HAVE FUN and SAVE THE WAVE !

Swept57

Change it back to Saddle Tan paint! The world does not need another red Corvette. Mine was Saddle Tan/Saddle Tan leather originally too, and if it were worth restoring, I'd go back to that most sweet color combo!