Casting date location

[Damon Rust]

I just received my judging manual and do not understand the wording about the casting date. The book says on pass. side near freeze plug in front of starter motor. My question is do I have to lift the car to see this or am I just not following inst. P.S. 69 427/400


Next question: My trim tag on door pillar reads "C22" for a build date, but my VIN. number indicates a FEB. 69 date (16000 or so). If I am understanding the info correct the body was built Oct. 68 , is this common or what? Any help is greatly appreciated.


Thanks Damon 33315

[Jack Humphrey (17100)]

Re: Casting date location

On early BB engines, the cylinder case casting date is a 'joy' to read. Gets even more difficult on very early 396 blocks as the 'fill' is typically rough....


SB motors put the casting date on the engine's rear apron (RH side, upper and toward center -- where the bellhousing bolts on) making the 'read' relatively easy. Just look down from above.


On early BB motors, the casting date was moved to the RH side of block and the exhaust manifold sits DIRECLY in front of it. Reads are done on the judging field by having the owner crank the front wheels so judge can 'wiggle/crawl' between wheel and rear of wheel well (lots of fun). Then, with a flashlight and inspector's mirror, you 'eyeball' behind the RH exhaust manifold to the side of the block. The 'fun' here, is you wind up reading the casting date from a distance and backwards through a mirror!


Senior judges get pretty good/efficient at the task, and the Judging Guide is telling you correct information. Only thing you're stumbling over is how to 'methodize' the task as you've not had practice....


PS, other judges use a piece of clay to mold an impression of the casting date so it can be removed for inspection off the car. Then, with a mirror, the image is re-reversed. Finally, a third 'trick' is to 'sniggle' a piece of paper against the side of the block and lightly rub a pencil over it to lift a 'finger' print that can be looked at off the car in the light of day. Have fun!

[Tom Barr (24014)]

Re: Trim tag code C22

Damon,


The October trim tag date for a February built car doesn't seem usual to me, and I think it should be far closer than that. I certainly believe anything is POSSIBLE but just how PROBABLE it would be is another question. Maybe someone else has come across such a wide spread in dates. Is it possible that you're misreading the "C" instead of as a "G". "G" would be the date code letter for February 1969. TBarr #24014

[Terry McManmon (3966)]

Re: Trim tag code C22

Damon,


Tom has hit the nail on the head.


C & G are hard to distinguish. There is no small horizontal line in the opening of the G. Only difference is the opening is less on the G and there is a small vertical component to the lower part of the G.


Like reading the cast date on the block - it takes some experience. How can you be so lucky to get so many hard to make calls on one car?


Terry

[Jim Rauh (33086)]

Re: Casting date location

CorvetteMagazine.com currently has a two part article online at

http://www.corvettemagazine.com/tocml.asp

It is in two parts for the model years 1955-1964 and 1965-1975. Both parts are currently on the table of contents for your reading pleasure.


Might be of some interest.......Jim #33086