Engine purchase (part II)

[Rob M.]

Hi,

I'm trying to buy an '59 engine and to import it to the Netherlands but is there anyway to check if the engine hasn't been pulled from a stolen car which is sold in bits. I have no indication that this is the case but I just want to be sure I don't encurage car theft!

Is it normal that on the engine pad of a '59 engine has only the F302D? number (number on the picture) and the rest of the engine pad is blank ?

thanks,
Rob Musquetier
The Netherlands




The C1 1959 Corvette Restoration Project

[Chuck G.]

Re: Engine purchase (part II)

GM didn't start stamping the VIN derivitive of the car on the pad till mid 1960, so that pad is OK without a VIN derivitive. Also, early Corvettes are stamped F302 (March 2) whereas later Corvettes would be stamped F0302. The D is not a Corvette engine/trans suffix. Corvettes use a "two letter" system. In 59, DG, DH, and DJ were used, indicating usage with an automatic trans. Check your Black Book for usage. Chuck

[John H.]

Re: Engine purchase (part II)

I show the "D" suffix as '58-'62 283 170hp 2-barrel Powerglide for passenger cars; all '59 Corvette 283's had two-letter suffixes.

[Eric Eade]

Re: Engine purchase (part II)

Rob,
If it's an early 60's or older engine, I think it would be hard to determine if it is "hot" or not. The vin stamp is the only thing that would tie it to a specific car. The only way it might be an issue is if someone had pictures or tracings of the marks on the engine to match it. That still would be a needle in a haystack to match. Make sure you get a detailed bill of sale. happy hunting, Eric