Wrong engine...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 237
Likes: 38
From: Barnum Mn
Wrong engine...
Well I have a 59 model that was a 230 hp 4 barrel car. When I got the car I got it for a fair price numbers matching or not because they didn't know and I didn't care. Turns out it's not. No harm since I didn't pay numbers matching money but I do want the car correct and to feel like a 59 230hp when I step on it. I looked and the intake and carb are correct for my car but the block casting number is 3896944. That comes back as a 1967 283 195hp.
So from what I read that motor was 195 hp because it was a 2 barrel. If I have the original vette parts on that short block will I still be close to 230hp?
My other question is, there is no Vin on the stamping pad so how can I tell if this was a GM replacement block. I doubt it matters but I want to know what I have.
thanks
So from what I read that motor was 195 hp because it was a 2 barrel. If I have the original vette parts on that short block will I still be close to 230hp?
My other question is, there is no Vin on the stamping pad so how can I tell if this was a GM replacement block. I doubt it matters but I want to know what I have.
thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,188
Likes: 9,475
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
DE suffix code was used from 58-69 from 58-67 it was a 283/195 from 58-59 in passenger cars 64 in a Chevy II's 65-67 in chevelles and in 68-69 it was a 307/200 used in most cars. all but 69 was 2 barrel PG in 69 it was a 2 barrel 4 speed
your block was assembled in April 24 built in Flint. so we need a casting date
your block was assembled in April 24 built in Flint. so we need a casting date
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 237
Likes: 38
From: Barnum Mn
DE suffix code was used from 58-69 from 58-67 it was a 283/195 from 58-59 in passenger cars 64 in a Chevy II's 65-67 in chevelles and in 68-69 it was a 307/200 used in most cars. all but 69 was 2 barrel PG in 69 it was a 2 barrel 4 speed
your block was assembled in April 24 built in Flint. so we need a casting date
your block was assembled in April 24 built in Flint. so we need a casting date
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,188
Likes: 9,475
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
That would be April 10 1967. Which lines up perfect for the assembly stamp. So it was from a 67 A-body
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette & Porsche 911: How Two Icons Conquered the Last 25 Years
Joe Kucinski
2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 237
Likes: 38
From: Barnum Mn
What do you think about the difference to my original engine HP wise? It's got the correct 59 vette intake and carb. Do you think that will get me up to 230 from the 195 it would have had with the 2 barrel?
Last edited by Root2812; Jan 28, 2017 at 09:19 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 31,914
Likes: 2,418
From: Middle TN by way of KY, OH, VA, IL, CA, FL, NY, SC, HI
What you have in it is only good to sell to defray the costs of putting a correctly date-coded block in it.
IIRC, '59s did not have a VIN derivative on the block (only in mid-1960 and beyond), so you "only" need a block correctly dated to match your car's build date, and with correct casting dates and codes.
These are not high volume items, but can be found.
I would like to have your problem.
Edit: how do you know it was built with a 230HP?
As far as honkin' power goes, a 230 HP will not light up your life.
BUT, cruising in a '59 is about as cool as it gets.
IIRC, '59s did not have a VIN derivative on the block (only in mid-1960 and beyond), so you "only" need a block correctly dated to match your car's build date, and with correct casting dates and codes.
These are not high volume items, but can be found.
I would like to have your problem.
Edit: how do you know it was built with a 230HP?
As far as honkin' power goes, a 230 HP will not light up your life.
BUT, cruising in a '59 is about as cool as it gets.
Last edited by Easy Rhino; Jan 28, 2017 at 09:21 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 237
Likes: 38
From: Barnum Mn
I assume it was the 230hp because the numbers on the intake are correct for my car and the only single 4 barrel option in 59 was the 230hp one. I know 230hp wouldn't blow me away but I want it feel like it should. If it's only pulling 200 I know I won't feel it but I just wanted to know.
If I can ever find a date coded block that came with a manual I would be happy. I don't know if my transmission is correct now either. If I ever find a block I can address the transmission then if it's not right.
and you are right about a 59 being cool. It's my dream car so I didn't care if it was original or not when I got it and I would drive it if it only had 100hp. I still might try and bump it up a bit over time
If I can ever find a date coded block that came with a manual I would be happy. I don't know if my transmission is correct now either. If I ever find a block I can address the transmission then if it's not right.
and you are right about a 59 being cool. It's my dream car so I didn't care if it was original or not when I got it and I would drive it if it only had 100hp. I still might try and bump it up a bit over time
Last edited by Root2812; Jan 29, 2017 at 03:07 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 17,571
Likes: 3,461
From: Fresno California
The blocks and pistons are about the same, but you'll get the power from the camshaft, heads, and carb/intake. So you need to figure out what heads and cam you have. Heads, easy, cam, not so much. The possibility that the original heads were swapped and a camshaft was upgraded when the 195 HP engine was installed is a pretty good one, so don't give up just yet!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 6,553
Likes: 1,961
From: Folsom CA
If your block is a 307 block these were 283's with the 327 crankshaft. They had more torque than the 283. I had one in a 1971 GM Blazer. Ran like a top with great MPG but was not fast. But that was a 5000 pound vehicle.
Last edited by Westlotorn; Jan 29, 2017 at 03:35 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
Without splitting hairs, the difference between a 195 hp 283 and a 220/230 hp 283 was the difference between a two barrel carb and a four barrel carb.
Both had very similar camshafts, same compression ratio, same size ports and valves. All 195's had single exhaust.
Both had very similar camshafts, same compression ratio, same size ports and valves. All 195's had single exhaust.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 237
Likes: 38
From: Barnum Mn
I will have to check out the head numbers one of these days. I'm only with my car one weekend a month right now and I left already this weekend. Storing them in other locations can suck.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
If your heads have this casting symbol on each end, you're in good shape as far as heads/compression/valves go.
Never mind the casting number.
Never mind the casting number.
Last edited by MikeM; Jan 29, 2017 at 06:02 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 237
Likes: 38
From: Barnum Mn
Thanks for this. I got up north to where my car is stored this weekend and I checked. My heads do have that symbol. My dad also had another 283 in the corner that needs built and he was planning on scrapping it so I went and looked at that one too. It also had heads with that symbol so I am going to take them off and save them too.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,565
Likes: 660
From: Virginia Beach VA
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
C2 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Since you have a non matching car, put a 327 in there for the same looks and much better power. Just my 2 cents worth.
