original engine?
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From: Stafford VA
original engine?
I bought a 1966 roadster in April 1972. Engine number is VII07HE - Flint engine; November 7th; 1965 327/300 m/t. This jives with the car's manufacture. It's supposedly the original engine, according to the original owner.
-BUT- NCRS says the engine code must start with an "F"
Could VII07HE be the original engine?
Appreciate any advice!
-BUT- NCRS says the engine code must start with an "F"
Could VII07HE be the original engine?
Appreciate any advice!
Melting Slicks
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What is the engine casting number and casting date code? Is there a VIN derivative stamp on the pad?
Last edited by Mike67nv; Jul 26, 2017 at 09:52 PM.
Drifting
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From: Des Moines, Iowa, USA Iowa
No, not the original engine to a 1966 Corvette, just my opinion. Would like to see a photo of your engine pad, the VIN derivative, the actual stamping image, also block cast number and date, all this would help to identify origin as HE suffix found with other 60s small block Chevys. But for a 1966 Corvette, no, not original, not with a V engine assembly plant code. The only acceptable plant code for a 1966 Corvette small block would be F and this changed to a V for Flint Corvette small block engines in 1967 
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From: Stafford VA
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From: Kannapolis NC
I bought a 1966 roadster in April 1972. Engine number is VII07HE - Flint engine; November 7th; 1965 327/300 m/t. This jives with the car's manufacture. It's supposedly the original engine, according to the original owner.
-BUT- NCRS says the engine code must start with an "F"
Could VII07HE be the original engine?
Appreciate any advice!
-BUT- NCRS says the engine code must start with an "F"
Could VII07HE be the original engine?
Appreciate any advice!
Here's my theory based on wild speculation. IF that's the correct stamping for the engine, someone put a 67 300hp engine in and didn't bother to stamp the VIN. Perhaps a warranty replacement?
Last edited by 65GGvert; Jul 27, 2017 at 08:45 AM.
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From: Stafford VA
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From: Stafford VA
Now THAT makes sense. Have no idea how to research to find out if that was the case, though!
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WOW!!
.....and this is why I won't pay up for a car based on it's having an "original" numbers matching engine.........unless it was TRULY a collectible with gigantic appreciation potential. Seems to me you could make the argument to do so for a '67 427 car easily......... but none of the much more common small block cars would make the cut for me.
Good luck with this....... you might have an original engine here......but even if you do......you now have a new dilemma to resolve.
How much extra do you ask for "Matching #s" original when you have a Fluke number for the year 1966 that makes any future buyer nervous about paying up?
Since you bought the car in 1972......... it wasn't an issue when you bought.........but the next buyer sure has a problem if you ask for the extra cash a matching #s car can often command.
.....and this is why I won't pay up for a car based on it's having an "original" numbers matching engine.........unless it was TRULY a collectible with gigantic appreciation potential. Seems to me you could make the argument to do so for a '67 427 car easily......... but none of the much more common small block cars would make the cut for me.
Good luck with this....... you might have an original engine here......but even if you do......you now have a new dilemma to resolve.
How much extra do you ask for "Matching #s" original when you have a Fluke number for the year 1966 that makes any future buyer nervous about paying up?
Since you bought the car in 1972......... it wasn't an issue when you bought.........but the next buyer sure has a problem if you ask for the extra cash a matching #s car can often command.
Last edited by Krystal; Jul 27, 2017 at 09:01 AM.
Drifting
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WOW!!
.....and this is why I won't pay up for a car based on it's having an "original" numbers matching engine.........unless it was TRULY a collectible with gigantic appreciation potential. Seems to me you could make the argument to do so for a '67 427 car easily......... but none of the much more common small block cars would make the cut for me.
Good luck with this....... you might have an original engine here......but even if you do......you now have a new dilemma to resolve.
How much extra do you ask for "Matching #s" original when you have a Fluke number for the year 1966 that makes any future buyer nervous about paying up?
Since you bought the car in 1972......... it wasn't an issue when you bought.........but the next buyer sure has a problem if you ask for the extra cash a matching #s car can often command.
.....and this is why I won't pay up for a car based on it's having an "original" numbers matching engine.........unless it was TRULY a collectible with gigantic appreciation potential. Seems to me you could make the argument to do so for a '67 427 car easily......... but none of the much more common small block cars would make the cut for me.
Good luck with this....... you might have an original engine here......but even if you do......you now have a new dilemma to resolve.
How much extra do you ask for "Matching #s" original when you have a Fluke number for the year 1966 that makes any future buyer nervous about paying up?
Since you bought the car in 1972......... it wasn't an issue when you bought.........but the next buyer sure has a problem if you ask for the extra cash a matching #s car can often command.
If the buyer is a " number cruncher specialist " he is sure to find other picky points to reduce the value. Does anyone ever buy a vehicle on condition ? Way too much emphasis placed on a stamp number set. Just an excuse to haggle price. If the rest of the car is sound its all that matters. Tire kickers to the end of the line.
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From: Stafford VA
How much extra do you ask for "Matching #s" original when you have a Fluke number for the year 1966 that makes any future buyer nervous about paying up?
Since you bought the car in 1972......... it wasn't an issue when you bought.........but the next buyer sure has a problem if you ask for the extra cash a matching #s car can often command.
Since you bought the car in 1972......... it wasn't an issue when you bought.........but the next buyer sure has a problem if you ask for the extra cash a matching #s car can often command.
Le Mans Master
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does the original owner have a reason to lie to you that you suspect ?
I'm confused, again, if you have a direct line to the original owner what more do you need ?
I'm confused, again, if you have a direct line to the original owner what more do you need ?
Melting Slicks
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If it doesn't have your VIN number stamped on the pad, then it is very, very unlikely to be the original engine. Sounds like a 67 engine that was replaced sometime in the early life of the car. Depends on when the original owner purchased the car, could have been swapped out by the dealer before it was sold, you just never know.
You have enjoyed the car for many years with this engine, hopefully your son will do the same!!
You have enjoyed the car for many years with this engine, hopefully your son will do the same!!
Burning Brakes
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From: Hinesville, GA & Oswego, NY
If it doesn't have your VIN number stamped on the pad, then it is very, very unlikely to be the original engine. Sounds like a 67 engine that was replaced sometime in the early life of the car. Depends on when the original owner purchased the car, could have been swapped out by the dealer before it was sold, you just never know.
You have enjoyed the car for many years with this engine, hopefully your son will do the same!!
You have enjoyed the car for many years with this engine, hopefully your son will do the same!!
However, keep this in mind with the ethics and moral fiber that exists today even if it had the VIN stamped on the pad there is more than an even chance that it is not original to that car.
In the Corvette world of restamping, fake tags and fake date coding is considered normal activity, in the real world some of those actions would be considered fraud.
Bill
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The engine casting #657 was not even available until very late in the 1966 model year (May-July 1966). It was a 1967 model year block casting.
Block for a 1965 model car was #870 and #174 for most of 1966 model year.
Larry
Block for a 1965 model car was #870 and #174 for most of 1966 model year.
Larry
Last edited by Powershift; Jul 27, 2017 at 12:16 PM.
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However, keep this in mind with the ethics and moral fiber that exists today even if it had the VIN stamped on the pad there is more than an even chance that it is not original to that car.
In the Corvette world of restamping, fake tags and fake date coding is considered normal activity, in the real world some of those actions would be considered fraud.
Bill
This is NOT the factory born engine without the V.I.N. and of course the facts stated regarding the casting numbers, dates and stamping. If the original owner says it was in the car when he bought it then it was replaced by the dealer prior to sale likely as a warranty replacement.
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In 1972 who thought the original motor would add so much value?
As posted above, I hope you and your son enjoy the car. I am kind of happy my 70 Chevelle SS396 is not an original motor car, as I am free to modernize the driveline without any thought of modifying a survivor.
As posted above, I hope you and your son enjoy the car. I am kind of happy my 70 Chevelle SS396 is not an original motor car, as I am free to modernize the driveline without any thought of modifying a survivor.