What 427 block????
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 422
Likes: 17
From: Wisconsin
What 427 block????
My '69 BB coupe was built Sep. 24th(very early!)
Should my 427 block be a '68 coded one??? I can't remember how long the blocks were cast before the car went down the line!
Thanks for any help!
Should my 427 block be a '68 coded one??? I can't remember how long the blocks were cast before the car went down the line!
Thanks for any help!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
A block cast at the end of August or the first week of September (possibly even the second week of September) would work for your car.
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,215
Likes: 152
From: spring branch Texas
Was you Vette built in September of 1968, or September of 1969?
If a '68 build, your Vette's block would have a 1968 casting and build date---likely August or early September of '68. Should be a 321 block.
If a '69 build, then an August or early September cast block (or possibly much earlier, up to 6 months earlier, because '69 production was in it's 14th month, and "older" blocks that had been "on the shelf" were possible for use). Casting could have been 439 (if an older "on the shelf" block was used), a 270, or 512 (most likely).
G
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,215
Likes: 152
From: spring branch Texas
No. Depends on when your Vette was built.
Was your car built in '68 or '69?
Maybe you could provide the trim tag code (found on the driver's side door pillar) or the last 5 numbers of your VIN?
Then we would know when your Vette was built.
G.
Was your car built in '68 or '69?
Maybe you could provide the trim tag code (found on the driver's side door pillar) or the last 5 numbers of your VIN?
Then we would know when your Vette was built.
G.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
1969 Corvettes were assembled in two Septembers. Early was September, 1968 at the beginning of the production run for the model year.
Late was September, 1969. In a normal year, the 1970 models would have been on the assembly line in September, 1969, but due to the stirke at the plant, 1969 production continued through December, 1969.
If your VIN ends with 003041 or less, it was assembled in September, 1968.
If the VIN is between 28108 and 30963, it's September, 1969.
Late was September, 1969. In a normal year, the 1970 models would have been on the assembly line in September, 1969, but due to the stirke at the plant, 1969 production continued through December, 1969.
If your VIN ends with 003041 or less, it was assembled in September, 1968.
If the VIN is between 28108 and 30963, it's September, 1969.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
The date code on the engine block casting is the date it was cast at the foundry. That date could precede the vehicle production date by a couple of weeks to several months, as there was no good management of inventory flow of those castings.
So, if your car was built in late 1968, the block would have a '68 date code.
So, if your car was built in late 1968, the block would have a '68 date code.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 330
From: Indy Indiana
very simple answer, look at your casting code and casting date of your block. they are behind your distributor on the bellhousing flange ( usually)
then let us know what is on the front pad stamp.
then we can pretty much decipher what you have.
it could be an october 69 car with those last 4 digits also. so we will need the trim tag code to tell.. or you can tell us the last 5 of the vin and not the last 4..
there is just not enough info in your posts to tell..
how do you know it was built sept 24th?
then let us know what is on the front pad stamp.
then we can pretty much decipher what you have.
it could be an october 69 car with those last 4 digits also. so we will need the trim tag code to tell.. or you can tell us the last 5 of the vin and not the last 4..
there is just not enough info in your posts to tell..
how do you know it was built sept 24th?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Yes.
A correct block (not original) would have an assembly date of 2 to 4 weeks before the time/build code on your car. The NCRS will accept a block produced up to 6 months before your car was assembled.
Engines were ordered in advance of the actual scheduled build date for your car. The engine would have been assembled at Tonawanda, New York, shipped to St. Louis, stockpiled, and on hand at the plant before your Corvette ever started down the assembly line.
My guesstimate is that #2387 was assembled the last week of September, 1968. That jives with your 9/24 date.
...So an original block for my car should be dated anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months BEFORE?...
Engines were ordered in advance of the actual scheduled build date for your car. The engine would have been assembled at Tonawanda, New York, shipped to St. Louis, stockpiled, and on hand at the plant before your Corvette ever started down the assembly line.
My guesstimate is that #2387 was assembled the last week of September, 1968. That jives with your 9/24 date.