C1 Correct Engine

[Ty Truax (42151)]

Looking for some help regarding the correct engine block for my 58. According to the Corvette Birtday Book from NCRS my vette was built on November 27, 1957. There is currently a sad looking 58 on Ebay which has a date on the front pad of:FII26CQ, and the casting date is K 22, which if I've done my homework correctly the engine would have been assembled the day before my car was built. Would it be a stretch think this would be a correct engine for my car or is the engine date too close to the car build date? Although the trans and rear end may also work for my car, I don't know that based on the the price on this car it would be a wise investment for me. Perhaps there's someone out there needing other parts who would be interested in a joint venture? The item Ebay item numer if you're curious is #4510233028.

One more point I would like to make. As a newer member of NCRS I would like to commend all of you who contribute to this site. It is a wealth of information and I look forward to reading the posts each day even when they don't apply to me. I'm sure I'll be posting many more questions and hopefully a few opinions as I work to return my "new acquired baby" a little closer to original.

Thanks to all!!
Ty Truax

[William Clupper (618)]

Re: C1 Correct Engine

Just think if it was built in Flont Michigan the day before your car was run off the line, how did it get from Flint MI, to St Louis MO in time to get unloaded off the truck or (more likely) Railcar and on the chassis line in time to go through the engine buildup and mate to the chassis in tome for Body drop? Unfortunately, if your dates are correct, it's very unlikely to the point of inviting a lot of unwanted scrutiny. In other words, I'd keep looking.

[Mike Bovino (42734)]

Re: C1 Correct Engine

Don't ignore the casting date! K22 as I understand it means that it was cast on November 2, 1962 (or 72, or 82). You also need the casting number to narrow in which year bracket the engine is from. The front pad only gives the assembly month and day and does not specify the year - from that you have to depend on the casting date. The casting date also nails down the displacement. Thus, even if it were possible that an engine was assembled and installed within one day, the year is incorrect for your 1957. The pad stamp you provided: F1126CQ might be in error. Yes, it was assembled on November 26, most likely in 1962. But, I cannot find the code "CQ" in my engine book. Perhaps it was "CO" or "CU" both of which are Corvette engines.

Regardless, I suggest that you pass on this car if just for the sake of the engine. You can get a lot closer to the "correct" engine that you seek for your 1957. Also beware, both 265 and 283 cu in engines were available to Chevrolet autos in 1957. It will take me some research to confirm which were installed in 1957 'Vettes. Perhaps some of the experts on this board can weigh in (I own a 1961 so I am not that versed on '57s).

Also I believe that engine pad stamps were not correlated to the car VIN numbers until 1960. That is good news for you. So, once armed with the correct displacement, casting number and dates, and pad codes such as "EG", "EH", "FH", you can search for the "correct" block or engine. Just try to target a casting/assembly date within three months of your car's assembly date.

I'll check my reference books and if no one else provides the specifics, I will add them to this thread within a few days.

Good luck hunting!

Mike Bovino (mbovino@uniclean.com)

[Mike Bovino (42734)]

Re: C1 Correct Engine

Just re-read my response and realized that your car is a 1958 not 1957. Regardless, everything I said still holds except that I believe that 283 cu in was the only engine available for that year. If that is the case, search for casting number of 3756519 with a date code of H, I or J (Aug, Sept, Oct) with the last digit a "7" for 1957. Make sure that there is an "F" for Flint in the first space of the front pad. Suffix codes on the front pad should be either "CO" for manual trans, 230 hp base engine; "CR" for manual trans, 315 fuel injected; "CS" for manual trans, hi-lift cam, 290 hp fuel injected; "CT" manual transmission, 245 hp (dual carbs); "CU" manual trans, hi-lift cam, 270 hp (dual carbs); "DG" automatic trans, 230 base hp; "DH" automatic trans, 250 hp fuel injected; "DJ" automatic, 245 hp. I think that is all of them but again, let's have the experts weigh in.

[David Lyon]

Re: C1 Correct Engine

Ty,

If your car was built in late November 1957, I believe the correct casting number for a correct engine would be 3737739. Make sure the casting date allows enough time before the car build date of November 27, 1957. My '58 engine casting date is November 1, 1957 with a casting number of 3737739. I believe the 3756519 casting number was for later '58 thru late '61 engines. Make sure you know the numbers game completely before you lay out any $$$$$$$$$$.

David

[David Lyon]

Re: C1 Correct Engine

Ty,

Just as a follow-up - CQ is a 283, 230 hp with 1 four barrel carb and manual transmission for 1958-1961 Corvettes. I see no other years with CQ. I would re-check the engine build code. I think you have an extra number or letter in your post. My engine 3737739 has a casting date of K17 which is November 1, 1957.

David

[William Bryan (291)]

Re: C1 Correct Engine, Corection Mike.

The engine #'s are ;FII26CQ,= Flint nov 26th(1957, CQ (283, 4 speed,1 4barrel, 230 horse). #3737739, casting date K 22 7(nov 22 1957). I used the NCRS judging book to interept this. You should look into purchasing some of the NCRS books, because a some of the books you are refering to may have errors.

[Ty Truax (42151)]

Re: C1 Correct Engine

Thanks for the input guys! I apologize but I did incorrectly post the casting date as I left off the 7. It is K 22 7. Which would be the correct block, but as Bill responded 1 day from Flint to St Louis and in the car would be impossible. I posed the question not knowing if the engine block was stamped at Flint or St Louis. I did use the Tech Info Manual & Judging Guide to check these numbers. I highly recommend our members to invest in these and other materials offered by NCRS, as they are invaluable for research regardless of what your goal is for your car.

Meanwhile, I'll continue my search for an engine as well as a tranny & 3rd member for the rear end. If anyone out there runs across one you may email me at: tytruax@msn.com. Thanks and a tip of the hat to all who helped me!

Ty Truax

[Justin Beck (27359)]

Re: C1 Correct Engine

Ty, you may not believe this but my 58' was built on what I guesstimated to be Nov. 27, 1957. My serial number is J58S10132X, how about yours? It actually does still have its original drivetrain and the block was cast on K 7 7 (Nov. 7, 1957)and assembled on Nov.18, 1957.

[Mike Bovino (42734)]

Re: C1 Correct Engine, Corection Mike.

Bill,

Found the "CQ". It's in my book but I was multi-tasking trying to respond to the post while also pretending to be listening to a long phone call while at work! Not to mention that the old eyes are not what they used to be. Thanks for the input though, especially on the correct casting number.

I am looking for an elusive 3789935 block for my late (built July 1) 1961. There appears to be a very narrow window of dates for when the "519" blocks switched over to "935" but that my car likely fell in with the later population.

Regards,
Mike

[William Clupper (618)]

Re: C1 Correct Engine

That timing is not really unusual, 10 days to builld the engine and nine more to get it into the car is more typical than not.

[Ty Truax (42151)]

Re: C1 Correct Engine

Justin,
My serial number is J58S101351. My car has a 65 Impala 283 engine, a 4 spd from a 70, and a 3rd member from a 55 chev. She's in great shape and I bought it to drive, which I do. However, something inside makes me want to bring it back to original as much as possible. Maybe not for judging, but I guess more for my own satisfaction. Thanks again to all who took time to respond.
Ty Truax