Yes/No/Don't know=519 blocks in 1958

[Bill B.]

Were 519 casted blocks used for 1958 Corvettes?

[Joe L.]

Re: Yes/No/Don't know=519 blocks in 1958

Bill-----

Not that I know of, but it is a possibility for VERY late 1958s, Corvettes or otherwise. You'll pretty much know for sure if you find one with a casting date 2 weeks or more prior to the last 1958 Corvette built. Of course, such a block could have been destined for an early 1959, but I think that it's just as possible that it could have been used in a 1958.

[Bill B.]

Re: Yes/No/Don't know=519 blocks in 1958

Joe, thanks and the 519 of concern to me is a June 58 casting with a Flint July stamping with a "CU" suffix--wouldn't that be neat if there isn't any horseplay associated with it. And, the car that it is in is a 58 Aug build. The answer I really expect to get is "no" and it cannot be and there isn't any hard evidence to support this "no"--just no.

[Garry Barnes]

Re: Yes/No/Don't know=519 blocks in 1958

Bill,
My NCRS spec. guide does show the #519 block being used in mid-to-late 1958 through late 1961. The judging manual confirms this as well but also indicates that the #739 block was used in 1958 and early 1959. I had a Panama Yellow '58 that had a #519 block in it but couldn't and wouldn't swear that it was original. I don't remember the VIN (without looking for it) and can do so if this would help. I am sure that I would also find the casting date if I look. Let me begin the search.
Garry #18531

[Bill B.]

Re: Yes/No/Don't know=519 blocks in 1958

Garry, that would be most helpful as I don't want to see the owner of this black last days of Aug 58 with a 519 block take the easy way out by swapping to a 739 block. I know he wants to go the flight route and maybe a 519 in a 58 draws too much attention to pad issues--like I picture folks just making it harder to jump the hurdles. The 58 I am restoring is just a mid-late run of the mill car. His car is somewhat unique to me and she ought to stay that way.

[Garry Barnes]

Re: Yes/No/Don't know=519 blocks in 1958

Bill, as I understand it , you know someone with this #519 in their car that wants to go the judging route, and you are trying to determine if this engine is correct for this car. If this is correct, what I would do is take a digital photo of the pad and email it to Al Grenning@AOL.com and see if he can determine if the characters look correct and if the casting date/assembly stamp date relation look in order. He won't guarantee anything, but he has helped me out in the past and has been a great resource. According to the manual, the casting date should preceed the engine ID stamping by no more than two weeks. I am sure that someone will have comments on this. In the meantime, I will look for my information on the '58 I had.

Garry

[Joe L.]

Re: Yes/No/Don't know=519 blocks in 1958

Bill------

If the 519 block was cast in June, 1958, do you suppose that GM would have kept the block around until September, 1958 so that it could be installed in a 1959 model? I don't. It would have been shipped out and used, likely in a later June or July, 1958 model (Corvette or passenger car) engine assembly. There was absolutely NO reason for GM to hold these blocks for 1959 as they were completely usable for 1958 models.

As is often the case, I'm sure that the production of the '739' block didn't completely stop one day and production of the '519' resume, in full, the next day. There was likely a period in which both blocks were being produced and shipped.

[Bill B.]

Re: Yes/No/Don't know=519 blocks in 1958

Joe, I certainly hope this would be the case for my friend's sake. His car was around 40 from the last one made. I am not trying to be stupid on this issues but just want a fixing point so I can satisfy myself and for him to honestly proceed with other tests that are more physical in nature. I am certain that he and I are only trying to establish some facts so that he can move on to the next step. Neither of us is trying to "get over" on something. My guess is that his motor is the real deal and if it were in an early 59 would probably leap through hoops rather simply. So, I don't think it should be any more difficult just because it is in 1958--but I feel it would be this way for him.

[Garry Barnes]

Re: Yes/No/Don't know=519 blocks in 1958

Ok, now I am confused. The original question was, Did they put #519 blocks in 1958 corvettes? Joe, did I miss something? When did we assume that it was a 1959? I found my information on the '58 that I onced owned. It had a #519 block with a casting date of B or D 29. Couldn't read it because of the draft tube. The VIN was #6864 with a birthdate of May 9, 1958. This would put it better than two-thirds of the way through the 9,168 total production making it what I would consider a later car. It had an April 21st assembly date stamp but I would not rely on that. I may have possibly had a passenger car block with restamp in my '58? Based on the assumptions made, that is the only thing that makes any sense. Bill, I would say that it is very possible that a late June #519 block could have ended up in an August 1958 corvette. Thoughts? Are any of the National Level judges out there able to take a stab at this one?

[Bill B.]

Re: Yes/No/Don't know=519 blocks in 1958

Garry and Joe, it has taken 35-years of driving corvettes to finally be restoring some older models. My basket case 58 is my pride and I will see her through to completion. Unfortunately I am not the most experienced nor knowledgeable nor tenured solid axle technocrat who has reams of information available to me. In most cases, my limited experience tells me that lots of information is mostly "closehold" until you find it. Right now in the case of this 519 block casted June 30, 1958, pad F708CU I believe she is a real deal corvette engine. And, based on all the stampings she could have easily ended up in one of about 600 1958 corvettes (maybe cars from July 11, 1958 to early 1959 production). For me as a 1958 owner, I now feel that I can possibly account for 519 blocks as early as June 30 of 58--maybe. This will help our fellow member with his Aug 58 if we are correct. Now in my case, a build of May 30, 1958, could a 519 block have been used in May 58 too? I think this is Ted's original thread post on 519 changeover that never got answered. In fact, we had been led to believe that 519s were not used till 1959 as a verified 58 may not exist. We are just some 58 owners trying to do the correct, authentic, accurate, right thing? Maybe the 58-60 team leader could take us aside if we are being stupid and straighten us out. I want to thoroughly understand the 1958 model--it ain't easy.