When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I recently picked this motor up. The I.D. pad is long gone, but does have these other numbers. Also came with a set of 461 F.I. heads. I was told it was a Corvette HP motor. I really don't know, so I'm asking you guys.
It did come with a steel crank, and the Duntov cam.
With what you have provided, the 870 was used in cars and trucks (including corvettes) from 1962-1965 in a variety of horse power configurations. A 327. The casting date appears to me H1?3 which would be I believe August 1?, of 1963. Others may be able to determine more based on what you have provided. Nothing legible on the stamp pad?
With what you have provided, the 870 was used in cars and trucks (including corvettes) from 1962-1965 in a variety of horse power configurations. A 327. The casting date appears to me H1?3 which would be I believe August 1?, of 1963. Others may be able to determine more based on what you have provided. Nothing legible on the stamp pad?
Yea, unfortunately there is nothing on the stamp pad.
Panama is correct However the 870 block was also used in old Chriscraft boats as well. I know because I just pick up a complete motor from one last month.
Panama is correct However the 870 block was also used in old Chriscraft boats as well. I know because I just pick up a complete motor from one last month.
Very true. That could explain the blank stamp pad. It also could have been a service replacement block.
Not a 100% confirmation but if the inside of block is rusty ( small chunks or flakes ) then good indication from a boat as it uses water from whatever lake or river it’s on for cooling. Not a bad thing though unless it was used in saltwater. I would measure the cylinder wall clearance just in case it was already cleaned up inside. Very easy to do and a piece of mind otherwise a block from a boat is perfectly fine for building up. I’ve done days of reasearch on it and talked with old timers that used to get them real cheap back in the day and build them up and race them on weekends. That’s how I found mine. A full complete motor ( clean as a whistle) $800 and drove 6 hours one way to get it. Working on it now. I did know some used steel forged cranks ( mine is ) what I didn’t know but recently found out is that the Crank balance tolerance were tighter as well because it runs a prop. There is a special marking on the crank. Win,win for me
The information provided, casting number/date code and Duntov cam indicates is was originally a '63 340 or 360 HP (FI) engine. If the exhaust manifolds are included that could narrow it down to one or the other.
The information provided, casting number/date code and Duntov cam indicates is was originally a '63 340 or 360 HP (FI) engine. If the exhaust manifolds are included that could narrow it down to one or the other.
Duke
Thanks Duke,
Didn't the 340 and 360 HP use the same exhaust manifolds? I've got an original 340 in my '63, and it has the 2.5" manifolds.
Panama is correct However the 870 block was also used in old Chriscraft boats as well. I know because I just pick up a complete motor from one last month.
Even an engine assembled for marine use, would have had the engine plant prefix and assembly date, stamped on the pad. More likely the block was decked at some point, or the engine might have been assembled from a bare block.
Originally Posted by SWCDuke
The information provided, casting number/date code and Duntov cam indicates is was originally a '63 340 or 360 HP (FI) engine. If the exhaust manifolds are included that could narrow it down to one or the other.
Duke
It couldn't have been a 63 Corvette engine, with an August 18, 63 block casting date. 63 production ended the first week of August.
That block would have been perfect for my NOM ‘64 number 68 built on the first day of production Sept.3, 1963. All the other components of my car have “H” as the month. I’d be interested in it if I hadn’t had my CE 512 engine rebuilt last year. Guess timing is everything. Dave
It couldn't have been a 63 Corvette engine, with an August 18, 63 block casting date. 63 production ended the first week of August.
But you said it has a Duntov cam; '64 SHP/FI engines had the 30-30 cam. It's possible this was a crate engine. It was very common for guys to buy a complete 340 HP engine to install in mid fifties Chevies, and IIRC they cost about 500 bucks and included the aluminum inlet manifold for an AFB, but no carb or exhaust manifolds.
The RH exhaust manifold on carbureted engines were drilled for the choke heat tube... LH manifold on FI engines.
If the engine has exhaust manifolds post the casting numbers and which one has the choke heat tube.
Are the heads 461 or461X, and what are the casting dates?
But you said it has a Duntov cam; '64 SHP/FI engines had the 30-30 cam. It's possible this was a crate engine. It was very common for guys to buy a complete 340 HP engine to install in mid fifties Chevies, and IIRC they cost about 500 bucks and included the aluminum inlet manifold for an AFB, but no carb or exhaust manifolds.
It wasn't me that said it was a Duntov cam, it was the OP. All I said was that it couldn't be a 63 Corvette engine, because the casting date was too late for the engine to have been installed in a 63 Corvette.
Yes, it is possible that it was a crate engine, but a complete over the counter engine, would not have had a blank pad. The complete crate engines from the 60's that I've seen, had the plant prefix, assembly date and suffix code stamped in the pad. From my experience, a short block and even long blocks, had blank pads, but complete engines were usually stamped.
Either way it's probably immaterial, since based on the information supplied by the OP about the heads, his engine just appears to have been assembled, from a mix of parts.
Originally Posted by ptjsk
Heads only show 461, as I can't find an "X" anywhere.
Also, It looks like the date for the heads would be December 11, 1961?
Pat
Yep, based on the head's casting date, they're 62 heads, and not original to the engine.
That block would have been perfect for my NOM ‘64 number 68 built on the first day of production Sept.3, 1963. All the other components of my car have “H” as the month. I’d be interested in it if I hadn’t had my CE 512 engine rebuilt last year. Guess timing is everything. Dave
If Pat is willing to sell that block, BUY IT. Store it. You may never have another chance like this. A correctly dated engine block with a blank (hopefully never stamped) engine pad.
It doesn't get any better than that for a restoration engine.
12-18-2018, 10:30 AM
Help with I.D. of motor.
Dave
