Understanding Block numbers
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Memphis TN
Understanding Block numbers
My father had a corvette restoration business for years and years and he has a number of old corvette blocks sitting in his garage. I'm trying to understand what the numbers mean that are stamped on the block...
For example... F0627RF 3119311
My research says that F is for Flint Michigan. What is a "V" for?
0627 means that it was assembled on June 27.
RF describes the engine options. Where could I find a list of these code options?
3 stands for the year 63. What if this number was a "9"? how would you distinguish if a "9" meant 59 or 69?
119311 stands for the sequence the block was made and numbers started at 100001 so this would be block number 19,311 in 1963.
I know there are a lot of questions in there. I appreciate your help!
For example... F0627RF 3119311
My research says that F is for Flint Michigan. What is a "V" for?
0627 means that it was assembled on June 27.
RF describes the engine options. Where could I find a list of these code options?
3 stands for the year 63. What if this number was a "9"? how would you distinguish if a "9" meant 59 or 69?
119311 stands for the sequence the block was made and numbers started at 100001 so this would be block number 19,311 in 1963.
I know there are a lot of questions in there. I appreciate your help!
Racer
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 463
Likes: 129
Sounds like you have a pretty good understanding already.
For 1966 and before F = Flint, after V = Flint.
This site will list most of the engine codes:
http://www.nastyz28.com/sbchevy/sblock.php
The engine codes will help you determine 59 from 69. They were frequently changed. You can also use the bock casting number to help distinguish between 59 and 69. The above website will also have these listed.
Only thing I would change on your description is of the number 119311, this is the car sequence number (shortened vin) and not the block sequence. It is the engine for the 19,311 Corvette produced that year.
John
For 1966 and before F = Flint, after V = Flint.
This site will list most of the engine codes:
http://www.nastyz28.com/sbchevy/sblock.php
The engine codes will help you determine 59 from 69. They were frequently changed. You can also use the bock casting number to help distinguish between 59 and 69. The above website will also have these listed.
Only thing I would change on your description is of the number 119311, this is the car sequence number (shortened vin) and not the block sequence. It is the engine for the 19,311 Corvette produced that year.
John
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Memphis TN
Sounds like you have a pretty good understanding already.
For 1966 and before F = Flint, after V = Flint.
This site will list most of the engine codes:
http://www.nastyz28.com/sbchevy/sblock.php
The engine codes will help you determine 59 from 69. They were frequently changed. You can also use the bock casting number to help distinguish between 59 and 69. The above website will also have these listed.
Only thing I would change on your description is of the number 119311, this is the car sequence number (shortened vin) and not the block sequence. It is the engine for the 19,311 Corvette produced that year.
John
For 1966 and before F = Flint, after V = Flint.
This site will list most of the engine codes:
http://www.nastyz28.com/sbchevy/sblock.php
The engine codes will help you determine 59 from 69. They were frequently changed. You can also use the bock casting number to help distinguish between 59 and 69. The above website will also have these listed.
Only thing I would change on your description is of the number 119311, this is the car sequence number (shortened vin) and not the block sequence. It is the engine for the 19,311 Corvette produced that year.
John
What is the difference between the number that I listed (F0627RF 3119311) and a casting number? Why have 2 different numbers stamped on a block?
Racer
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 463
Likes: 129
The casting number is not stamped but is cast into the block. It is found on the back flange by the bell housing. This casting number shows what rough casting was used to make the finished block from.
Casting numbers would change as design improvement were incorporated into the blocks. Sometimes a certain casting number was only used for a very short period of time and others were used for years.
The RF engine code could have been produced from potentially several different casting numbers as a year progressed.
John
Casting numbers would change as design improvement were incorporated into the blocks. Sometimes a certain casting number was only used for a very short period of time and others were used for years.
The RF engine code could have been produced from potentially several different casting numbers as a year progressed.
John
Last edited by JC68; Jul 12, 2017 at 04:12 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,123
Likes: 4,196
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi D,
The block casting number and date were part of the mold used when the block was cast at the foundry.
The casting number identifies the block before machining.
The date of course identifies when the block was cast.
They are typically on the top of the rear flange of the engine… just forward of the bell housing.
After the block want to the engine plant it was machined and assembled.
The Assembly stamp identifies what plant the engine was assembled at, when it was assembled, and in what hp and accessory configuration.
After the engine was shipped to an assembly plant the vin number of the vehicle it was first installed in was stamped on the pad.
Regards,
Alan
Added…. a couple of minutes too late.
A typical stamp pad on a 71 350 small block.
Typical 71 casting date on a 71 350 small block.
Typical casting number and casting' clock' location on sb engine.
The block casting number and date were part of the mold used when the block was cast at the foundry.
The casting number identifies the block before machining.
The date of course identifies when the block was cast.
They are typically on the top of the rear flange of the engine… just forward of the bell housing.
After the block want to the engine plant it was machined and assembled.
The Assembly stamp identifies what plant the engine was assembled at, when it was assembled, and in what hp and accessory configuration.
After the engine was shipped to an assembly plant the vin number of the vehicle it was first installed in was stamped on the pad.
Regards,
Alan
Added…. a couple of minutes too late.
A typical stamp pad on a 71 350 small block.
Typical 71 casting date on a 71 350 small block.
Typical casting number and casting' clock' location on sb engine.
Last edited by Alan 71; Jul 12, 2017 at 04:50 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Memphis TN
Hi D,
The block casting number and date were part of the mold used when the block was cast at the foundry.
The casting number identifies the block before machining.
The date of course identifies when the block was cast.
They are typically on the top of the rear flange of the engine… just forward of the bell housing.
After the block want to the engine plant it was machined and assembled.
The Assembly stamp identifies what plant the engine was assembled at, when it was assembled, and in what hp and accessory configuration.
After the engine was shipped to an assembly plant the vin number of the vehicle it was first installed in was stamped on the pad.
Regards,
Alan
Added…. a couple of minutes too late.
A typical stamp pad on a 71 350 small block.
Typical 71 casting date on a 71 350 small block.
Typical casting number and casting' clock' location on sb engine.
The block casting number and date were part of the mold used when the block was cast at the foundry.
The casting number identifies the block before machining.
The date of course identifies when the block was cast.
They are typically on the top of the rear flange of the engine… just forward of the bell housing.
After the block want to the engine plant it was machined and assembled.
The Assembly stamp identifies what plant the engine was assembled at, when it was assembled, and in what hp and accessory configuration.
After the engine was shipped to an assembly plant the vin number of the vehicle it was first installed in was stamped on the pad.
Regards,
Alan
Added…. a couple of minutes too late.
A typical stamp pad on a 71 350 small block.
Typical 71 casting date on a 71 350 small block.
Typical casting number and casting' clock' location on sb engine.
This is great! Thanks for all your help.
One more question...
This serial number doesn't conform to what I know.
V1009HT 18S402101
V = flint
1009 = Oct 9
HT = 327 small block
After that I am lost...
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,123
Likes: 4,196
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
Here's the 'de-code' for the 68 VIN.
The block receives a 'partial VIN.
The full VIN de-code.
1 (First Digit) Make/Manufacturer. 1 – Chevrolet
9 (Second Digit) Model series. 9 – Corvette
4 (Third Digit) Engine type. 4 – V8 Engine (all types)
37 (Fourth and Fifth Digits) 37- Corvette Coupe / 67 – Corvette Convertible
8 (Sixth Digit) Model Year. 8 – 1968
S (Seventh Digit) Vehicle Assembly Location. S – St. Louis, Missouri
7XXXXX (Seventh thru Twelfth Digits) Plant Sequence Numbers.
Regards,
Alan
Here's the 'de-code' for the 68 VIN.
The block receives a 'partial VIN.
The full VIN de-code.
1 (First Digit) Make/Manufacturer. 1 – Chevrolet
9 (Second Digit) Model series. 9 – Corvette
4 (Third Digit) Engine type. 4 – V8 Engine (all types)
37 (Fourth and Fifth Digits) 37- Corvette Coupe / 67 – Corvette Convertible
8 (Sixth Digit) Model Year. 8 – 1968
S (Seventh Digit) Vehicle Assembly Location. S – St. Louis, Missouri
7XXXXX (Seventh thru Twelfth Digits) Plant Sequence Numbers.
Regards,
Alan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 826
Likes: 119
From: Lincoln NE Riding and Driving Corvettes since 1967.
Hope this helps
bigredbrad
Last edited by bigredbrad; Jul 14, 2017 at 01:14 PM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 826
Likes: 119
From: Lincoln NE Riding and Driving Corvettes since 1967.
Also, if you have any big block engines, the serial number and the engine code will be listed opposite of the small block on the engine pad. Big blocks have the engine code listed first and the vin derivative second.
bigredbrad
bigredbrad
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,123
Likes: 4,196
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi D,
One last thing…. of interest?
In St.Louis the same stamp gang holder that was used to imprint the engine pad with the vin was used to stamp the case on the transmission.
Regards,
Alan
The partial vin gang holder, digit tray, hammer, and glove.
The Engine assembly stamp gang holder.
One last thing…. of interest?
In St.Louis the same stamp gang holder that was used to imprint the engine pad with the vin was used to stamp the case on the transmission.
Regards,
Alan
The partial vin gang holder, digit tray, hammer, and glove.
The Engine assembly stamp gang holder.