VIN Numbers?

[Gordon Peterson #4961]

Re: VIN Numbers?

I would have to agree, as long as you are fairly certain that your distributor is an original item.

If I were you, I would next try another tack. The 6500 redline is fairly definitive - it was either a 340 or 360HP car. Look for clues that show that it wasn't an original fuelie like the big hole in the rad support, holes on the inner fender well for the fuelie A/C mount, and evidence of the FUEL INJECTION trim plate on either front fender. Without any of these it should pretty much lock you in as a 340HP car.

Pete

[`Michael Southard]

Re: VIN Numbers?

I'm pretty sure of the dist. otherwise some one would have taken a 64' dist. with that number and used it (64' with that # was used in 250 & 300 HP), I don't know why that would have happened.

I have to famillarize myself with fulie stuff to recognize the what and the where of your suggestions. (I kinda hope it's not fulie, I want a reliable driver).

Now about the 327 block! Was there a difference in the components in the LOWER END of the 327's. I mean, were the HP increases made up for in the manifold, carburation, etc. If I located a 327 SHORT block, could I build the upper end to any of the specs for 340 or 360 HP?
Mike #42460

[Gordon Peterson #4961]

Re: VIN Numbers?

I'll have to defer to the engine experts. But it is my belief that the differences between the 300 and 340 horse '63 engines boiled down a hotter solid lifter cam, a higher compression ratio achieved by using the 2461X head (as opposed to the 2461 head in the 250/300), and an aluminum intake manifold. Sure, there were other details like a 6-qt. oil pan, a different harmonic balancer, etc. But the extra 40 horses in the 340 basically came from these three non-lower end changes.

Pete

[`Michael Southard]

Re: VIN Numbers?

Hi Pete,
The engine will require a considerable more investigation on my part.
I did look at the rad supt like you said, and found an irregular hole on the left side(as you look from the front)just below the regulator. Don't know if that's the hole you were speaking of.

Also, I don't see any holes in the fender wells other than the fender clearance holes for the control arms.

I did take a look at the trim tag and got a little more confused though. I am comparing this to the numbers in the Black Book.

My trim # is 490J, But I don't see a "J" listed?
Body # is 8526, but I see no reference to that number at all?
Paint # is 916A, but I don't see an "A" listed?

Is the black book a good reference to use?
Mike #42460

[Gordon Peterson #4961]

Re: VIN Numbers?

Hi again, Mike -

Trim tags are covered in excellent detail in several Corvette reference books. This is from Nolan Adams' "The Complete Corvette Restoration & Technical Guide - Vol. 2 1963 Through 1967" - worth every penny:

There is one item you didn't mention. There is an unlabelled embossed letter and number in the upper left of the trim tag. This is the body-build date. The letter A is for September '62 and it proceeds from there through L which is August of '63. The number is the week, not the day. For example mine is L1 - the body of mine was built the first week of August '63.

Your STYLE is either 63 837 (coupe) or 63 867 (roadster)
Your TRIM is 490J. 490 means vinyl trim. The J is the color - dark blue (late)
Your BODY is 8526. This is a sequential number. You own the 8526th coupe (or roadster?) body built out of the 10,000 or so of each manufactured that year.
Your PAINT is 916A, Daytona Blue. The A simple means that the entire car was painted one color (hence all 63's have an A).

Pete

[`Michael Southard]

Re: VIN Numbers?

I'll track that book down.
I am appearently in the first week of June. (J 1).
My only regret is the BLUE! I'm Riverside Red right now and I absolutely love that color!
Thanks for all your response Pete! I feel like I know this vehicle intimately now.
MIke #42460

[`Michael Southard]

Re: VIN Numbers?

Pete,
I just found and ordered that book.
Mike #42460