[C1] Stamp Pad Question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,145
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From: Just About 40 Min's from NYC
Stamp Pad Question
Trying to figure out what motor we have
Casting # from rear of Block is 3737739
From the Book "cars & parts magazine ,catalog of chevy V8 casting number 1955 to 93" ,I found the casting number is
for a 283 for 1958 to 1959 corvette
OR
For a 283 for 1958 to 61 Passenger
Very clearly stamped on the stamp is "F911D" only no other marks
I looked in my books "The Complete Chevrolet V8 engine Pocket Guide" lime and lemon book and could not find a useable reference to the stamp pad unless I am using it wrong
Does any body know a place I can reference what these number mean. We were told it was a GM over the counter warrenty replacement block from the 50's
I guess if I could find a date code on the motor it would help me date the block and as long as it pre dated 1959 we could comfortably assume its a corvette block Can some one point me to where I could see a date code on the block, The car is complete with the motor in the car. I am ordering a new set of Cork gaskets so I can pull the valve covers so we can confirm it has the correct heads on it.
The intake is the correct 3739653 for a 245/270 car , the valve covers have an old 270 sticker on them
Thank you in advance for your help, I am trying to help my unkle sell a Restored 57 and allot of question come up about the motor.
Larry
Last edited by Ih2lose; Oct 1, 2018 at 07:38 AM. Reason: add picture
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,349
Likes: 765
From: Mint Hill North Carolina
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Trying to figure out what motor we have
Casting # from rear of Block is 3737739
From the Book "cars & parts magazine ,catalog of chevy V8 casting number 1955 to 93" ,I found the casting number is
for a 283 for 1958 to 1959 corvette
OR
For a 283 for 1958 to 61 Passenger
Very clearly stamped on the stamp is "F911D" only no other marks
I looked in my books "The Complete Chevrolet V8 engine Pocket Guide" lime and lemon book and could not find a useable reference to the stamp pad unless I am using it wrong
Does any body know a place I can reference what these number mean. We were told it was a GM over the counter warrenty replacement block from the 50's
I guess if I could find a date code on the motor it would help me date the block and as long as it pre dated 1959 we could comfortably assume its a corvette block Can some one point me to where I could see a date code on the block, The car is complete with the motor in the car. I am ordering a new set of Cork gaskets so I can pull the valve covers so we can confirm it has the correct heads on it.
The intake is the correct 3739653 for a 245/270 car , the valve covers have an old 270 sticker on them
Thank you in advance for your help, I am trying to help my unkle sell a Restored 57 and allot of question come up about the motor.
Larry
The casting date can be found at the top, rear most of the engine block near the distributor hole. You are looking for a casting similar to the one below and it may
be only a day or two earlier than the September 11 date. You will need to remove the ignition shielding, use a small inspection mirror and read it upside down. I am sure that others will chime in on your post. Good luck.
Last edited by Panama 58; Oct 1, 2018 at 08:17 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 340
From: Just About 40 Min's from NYC
Thank you for the thorough reply , The date I thought I could read with an inspection camera was 1082 is that possible? Also where did you find that info.
Thanks Again
Thanks Again
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,866
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From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
The casting date should be A, B, C, etc for the month of the year, then one or two digits for the day of the month, then a single digit (Flint blocks) for the year.
So. B 14 9 would be Feb. 14, 1959...
Look carefully again.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 340
From: Just About 40 Min's from NYC
I've given up trying to post photos here. Something is seriously wrong with the software.
The casting date should be A, B, C, etc for the month of the year, then one or two digits for the day of the month, then a single digit (Flint blocks) for the year.
So. B 14 9 would be Feb. 14, 1959...
Look carefully again.
The casting date should be A, B, C, etc for the month of the year, then one or two digits for the day of the month, then a single digit (Flint blocks) for the year.
So. B 14 9 would be Feb. 14, 1959...
Look carefully again.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,866
Likes: 717
From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
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Team Owner
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From: Huntsville AL
Chevrolet used the LETTER 'I" in casting dates to represent the month of September (9th letter, 9th month). So, If it appears, it will be the first character in the sequence. The casting date code sequence is:
Format = X ii j
X = a LETTER between A and L that represents the month the block was cast
(A = January, B = February, C = March, D = April, E = May, F = June, G = July, H= August, I = September, J = October, K = November, L = December)
ii = a one or two digit number between 1 and 31 that represents the day of the month that the block was cast.
j = a one digit (Flint engine plant) or two digit (Tonawanda engine plant) that represents the year the engine block was cast
The LETTER I was not used in date codes on stamped parts (like alternators, etc.)
(A = January, B = February, C = March, D = April, E = May, F = June, G = July, H= August, J = September, K = October, L = November, M = December)
RULE OF THUMB:
The letter I is OK on dates that are cast (blocks, cylinder heads, etc.) , but not used to represent the month on dates that are stamped (alternators, starters, distributors).
The letter I was used as the digit 1 on stamped parts.
There are exceptions.
Format = X ii j
X = a LETTER between A and L that represents the month the block was cast
(A = January, B = February, C = March, D = April, E = May, F = June, G = July, H= August, I = September, J = October, K = November, L = December)
ii = a one or two digit number between 1 and 31 that represents the day of the month that the block was cast.
j = a one digit (Flint engine plant) or two digit (Tonawanda engine plant) that represents the year the engine block was cast
The LETTER I was not used in date codes on stamped parts (like alternators, etc.)
(A = January, B = February, C = March, D = April, E = May, F = June, G = July, H= August, J = September, K = October, L = November, M = December)
RULE OF THUMB:
The letter I is OK on dates that are cast (blocks, cylinder heads, etc.) , but not used to represent the month on dates that are stamped (alternators, starters, distributors).
The letter I was used as the digit 1 on stamped parts.
There are exceptions.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
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From: Huntsville AL
This engine code "F911D" decodes as follows:
F = Flint engine plant
9 = September (and must be 1959 or earlier, since Chevy started using a leading zero for the month starting in the middle of 1960)
II = 1th day of the year
D = Engine code (so this must be a 1958 or 1959 engine, since D was first used in 1958 (except there was a ''D" code used in 1956 for big truck) = 283, 170 hp, 2bbl, powerglide, in a passenger car.
F = Flint engine plant
9 = September (and must be 1959 or earlier, since Chevy started using a leading zero for the month starting in the middle of 1960)
II = 1th day of the year
D = Engine code (so this must be a 1958 or 1959 engine, since D was first used in 1958 (except there was a ''D" code used in 1956 for big truck) = 283, 170 hp, 2bbl, powerglide, in a passenger car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
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From: Mint Hill North Carolina
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This engine code "F911D" decodes as follows:
F = Flint engine plant
9 = September (and must be 1959 or earlier, since Chevy started using a leading zero for the month starting in the middle of 1960)
II = 1th day of the year
D = Engine code (so this must be a 1958 or 1959 engine, since D was first used in 1958 (except there was a ''D" code used in 1956 for big truck) = 283, 170 hp, 2bbl, powerglide, in a passenger car.
F = Flint engine plant
9 = September (and must be 1959 or earlier, since Chevy started using a leading zero for the month starting in the middle of 1960)
II = 1th day of the year
D = Engine code (so this must be a 1958 or 1959 engine, since D was first used in 1958 (except there was a ''D" code used in 1956 for big truck) = 283, 170 hp, 2bbl, powerglide, in a passenger car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,349
Likes: 765
From: Mint Hill North Carolina
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 340
From: Just About 40 Min's from NYC
This engine code "F911D" decodes as follows:
F = Flint engine plant
9 = September (and must be 1959 or earlier, since Chevy started using a leading zero for the month starting in the middle of 1960)
II = 1th day of the year
D = Engine code (so this must be a 1958 or 1959 engine, since D was first used in 1958 (except there was a ''D" code used in 1956 for big truck) = 283, 170 hp, 2bbl, powerglide, in a passenger car.
F = Flint engine plant
9 = September (and must be 1959 or earlier, since Chevy started using a leading zero for the month starting in the middle of 1960)
II = 1th day of the year
D = Engine code (so this must be a 1958 or 1959 engine, since D was first used in 1958 (except there was a ''D" code used in 1956 for big truck) = 283, 170 hp, 2bbl, powerglide, in a passenger car.
I am going to put this note on the leading zero in my lime and lemon book and my casting number book so in 10 years when I may need it again I don't go crazy, any other tips on notes I should add to the book
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,349
Likes: 765
From: Mint Hill North Carolina
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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OK GOT IT , the missing zero for the month thru me way off course, With this information I was able to find it in my lime book no problem . That you every one. You just have to wonder how this information was shared in the past.
I am going to put this note on the leading zero in my lime and lemon book and my casting number book so in 10 years when I may need it again I don't go crazy, any other tips on notes I should add to the book
I am going to put this note on the leading zero in my lime and lemon book and my casting number book so in 10 years when I may need it again I don't go crazy, any other tips on notes I should add to the book
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 340
From: Just About 40 Min's from NYC
Although I own a C7 now , In the past I did own a C1 & C2 and knew a lot of this information. And even though I don't own the cars anymore I kept all of my reference books and judging manuals and articles From John Z and some of his old post for future reference,