1971 C3 block numbers

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Jan 16, 2014 | 01:05 PM

Nigel68

Thread Starter

5th Gear

Joined: Oct 2012

Posts: 5

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From: Cuneo

1971 C3 block numbers

Hi folks! I have this issue to verify: my 71 C3 has got this block:

3959512 ID casting

Casting date: F 250 = June 1970.

Pad suffix V0806CJK = Flint, August 06, 1971 350 Turbo 400

some pics below:

VIN:

door tag

Pad suffix

Pad vin sequence

Casting ID

Casting date

Is that block correct for my car/year (normally it's 3970010)? I have read that casting 3959512 was used for replacement / warranty block ONLY, but in that case on pad suffix I should have read "CE".
Car was built on August 19th, 1970 one of the first made, so casting date should be correct, not so casting ID...
Also, somebody told me that Vin sequence seems to be wrong: now is 71S100389 instead of 11S100389...

Can anyone help me to know if my block has been re-numbered on front pad?
Did Chevrolet use blocks 3959512 for standard motors also?

Jan 16, 2014 | 01:38 PM

early shark

Melting Slicks

Joined: Nov 2004

Posts: 2,672

Likes: 6

From: Nevada City California

Your cylinder case pad stamping of the VIN sequence is correct. Very early 1971 production cars were stamped as such. All looks good.

Jan 16, 2014 | 01:53 PM

Mike Ward

Race Director

Joined: Jul 2001

Posts: 15,892

Likes: 42

The 3959512 blocks were not used in production for C3 Corvettes. This actually a 327 cu. in engine AFAIK, not a 350 and were sold as replacements for '60's vintage cars.

Not the original engine for your car I'm afraid.

Jan 16, 2014 | 04:22 PM

Alan 71

Team Owner

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 31,335

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From: Westminster Maryland

Hi Nigel,
You might want to consider removing the paint from the cylinder case pad. Seeing the pad's surface, and anything else that the paint may be covering, may be interesting.
Use a non abrasive method to clean the paint off the pad like paint thinner. Don't use anything that might mark the pad in any way.
Regards,
Alan

Jan 16, 2014 | 10:01 PM

LeMans Pete

Melting Slicks

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 3,438

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From: Raleigh NC

St. Jude Donor '13-'14

Mike, weren't over-the-counter and CE motor 512s?

Why would someone go through the effort to fake a 270HP car?

I also have only seen the VIN stamp on '71s as C11S1XXXXX, but I have not seen one this early.

EDIT: 0806 would be August 6th, 1970. Also, I thought CJK was introduced later in the year with CGT used at the beginning of the year.

Last edited by LeMans Pete; Jan 16, 2014 at 10:27 PM.