Is This A judged Item?

[Zachary K.]

Re: Nope, absolutely genuine....

This I find pretty interesting. When I restored my '70 I found the engine suffix code on one side of the block and the job number on the other side. Can't remember now which side was which but will go out to the garage soon. I rebuilt the engine I replaced the code suffix and job numbers back on the sides the way I had found them. I had shown the car back in 2000 at a Regional meet and the judges said that they weren't supposed to be there. I have been looking for my original pictures of this that I had taken at the time before rebuild to no avail. I posted here on the board after the show to see if anyone knew of this or had ever found this on their blocks. I didn't have one post as I recall that would agree, and one saying that there would never be a job number because the blocks were put together way before they ever met a / the car.

I'll have to search the archives now to find my original posting and see the reply's that were given then. Until then I hope there are more post's on this so it can be documented as I still can't find my original pictures of this and know for a fact what my block had on it in the yellow crayon, as you have shown.

[Philip Whitaker Member# 2024]

Unmolested Crayon Mark

Here is a photo I found that was taken prior to any engine clean-up. Hopefully the image will come through clear enough to see the "S" in the "SK".

The lower photo is for refrence only to help you spot the "S" through the grime in the top photo.

[Dennis C.]

Speaking of unmolested crayon marks...

... I have usually found remnants of the suffix code on the bellhousing, along with some other giberish.

[Michael H.]

Re: "RF" on Block

Philip,

That's exactly why the engine code was on the end of the cylinder head. It made ID much easier.

I'm just not sure if I can agree with the suffix code being on top of the engine color at the sides of the block. That wouldn't make any sense to me and I see no reason why it would be there, especially upside down. If it was on the bare case as it was moving down the first engine assembly line at Flint, it would be much more logical and useful.

When the case in my photos was stripped, the "RF" was almost not visible because it was under the orange paint. As the stripper began to remove the orange, more and more of the "RF" began to appear. This was a 64 coupe, VIN # 5297 and the engine had never been out of this 4000 mile original car. I had absolutely no reason to question the originality of the markings. Another very low mile 64, #186xx, had exactly the same markings under the orange.

I agree, things change from month to month at assy plants so anything is possible. I'm just reporting on two VERY untouched original cars that I was able to document years ago.

I once owned a 63 that had the "job number" on the left front and the suffix on the right rear. Exactly opposite of what most consider correct. I suppose it might have had the cyl heads off at some time in it's life and they were swapped side for side.

Michael

[David Van Weele]

Re: "RF" on Block

Let me throw in a new twist. I am the only one to ever work on my boought new 1963 Z06 and when I redid the engine in 1980 I found and replaced the yellow Kiel (lumber crayon) marks back on the heads as I found them. On the front of the driver side head was the job number (confirmed by the number on the bulkhead) and on the front of the passenger side head just above the pad were the letters FI sought of on a slant. I also had the last digits of my serial number under the dirt on the heater box on the engine compartment side. Also where you would normally find bare fiberglass under the hood latches I found black paint, but no paint under the hood pins. How is that for trivia.




My Z06

[Michael H.]

Re: "RF" on Block

That's very strange David. I totally agree with the part about black paint under the hood latches. It's correct. Early 63's were that way. At the beginning of production, the latch assy was bolted in place and painted completely. Shortly after, possibly in the first few thousand cars, the entire engine compt blackout was done with no latches in place, which explains the black under yours. Eventually, in late 63 production, the latch assy's were installed prior to blackout and cupped to mask, similar to 64-67. (Bet this starts a whole nother discussion real soon)

Seems like everyone that restores a 63 gets this wrong but sounds like you have it right.

Michael

[John H.]

Re: "RF" on Block

The suffix code was scrawled on the side of the raw iron block while it was upside-down in the bore air-gaging station (1st station on the Flint Engine assembly line) so the troops down the line knew what innards to put in it, and was later covered when the engine was painted after hot-test.

Any numbers on top of paint on the ends of the heads were applied at St. Louis, after the engine was yanked out of the rack and hung on the line.

[Michael H.]

Re: "RF" on Block

Thanks John. I was certain that was the way it was but I've never been to the Flint plant to see this happen first hand. It's the only logical sequence that makes any sense. Adding the suffix code to that area of the engine after it is complete and painted would be pointless.

Michael

[David Van Weele]

Re: "RF" on Block

Thinking about it,RF could over years look like FI. You only have to remove parts of the letters, nothing has to be added.

Michael I think you also said I had it right when the car received the Bloomington Gold in 1984 after being the the first Special Collection.

Happy New Year

[Michael H.]

Re: "RF" on Block

David,

I think you are correct. That's probably exactly why your "RF" looked like "FI". It didn't occur to me when I read your previous post but it does make sense that that's what happened over the years. We would expect to see that bits and pieces of the original characters flaked off in time.

I do vaguely remember the hood latches on your car and our conversation from 1984 because you were the only one in the class that year that had it right. The latches on just about every 63 are restored incorrectly with the addition of blackout on the rear section of the lock but for the 63 model year, it would have been unpainted. It would be interesting if you started a brand new thread on this subject and request input from owners of original unrestored 63's to join in. I'll try to find some factory photos of the latch and photos of low mileage untouched cars to add. Thanks,

Michael

[Craig S.]

Re: Nope, absolutely genuine....

Zachary - my original 74 L82 has the CLR suffix on the block, upside down. This was used at assembly so the line workers knew which internals to stuff when it went down the engine assembly line....Craig

[Craig S.]

Re: Nope, absolutely genuine....

I forgot to mention, it was also on the front of the block near the timing cover......besides upside down on the side of the block as you mention....Craig

[Mark Ring]

Re: "RF" on Block

And it looked like this.

-Mark.

[Michael H.]

Re: "RF" on Block

Excellent picture Mark, thanks. Kinda proves my theory about the suffix code being under the orange paint, not over it.

I would sure like to have one of those "U" shaped tools that gently shoves the piston into the cylinder instead of banging on it with a hammer handle.

Michael