C-1 Engine numbers

[John Araujo]

Hello all,
I have a mystery. I have a 62 vette with VIN # 20867S113585. According to the birthday calculator that I had access to, the cars build date was 07/03/62. The engine that is in the car was cast in May of 62. The engine stamping is F060TRC which would be June of 62. The problem is that the serial # stamped into the block is 2113325 which is 260 numbers off from the VIN. That serial number would have been from a car that was built on 07/02/62. I find it hard to believe that if the engine in my car was replaced, possibly some years down the road from when it was built, that it would end up with an engine from a car that was built just the day before or possibly on the same day. I had heard that if they had a problem with an engine on the assembly line, they would just take another from a different car and restamp it. My thought was that this was the engine that the car had from the factory, and maybe because it was the day before the holiday they didn't bother to restamp it. Being new to the Corvette world, I'd love to hear from you folks with a lot more experience than me. Also if you happen to own car # 2113325, drop me a line. Maybe I have your engine and you have mine.

Thanks

John Araujo

[John H.]

Re: C-1 Engine numbers

John -

When an engine problem occurred in the plant, a fresh engine was run down the engine dress line to replace it and VIN-stamped to match the car it was going into, and the failed engine was returned to Flint Engine for credit. Engines were never taken out of other built cars as replacements. They were building about 50 cars per day back then, so the two VINs you noted were built about a week apart. It's a distinct possibility that the F0601RC (327/250hp) engine in your car indeed came out of another Corvette that was built a week earlier, at some point after it was delivered.

[Philip C.]

Re: C-1 Engine numbers

HI John I agree with John H But let me tell you a story about a T-bird. My good friend Hank was service manager for Ford. This really good customer had ordered a decked out T-bird for his wifes birthday, car was ordered early and came in late, the motor blew up backing off the transport. Her birthday party was two days away so Hank had the guys switch engines from another T-bird that came off the same truck so they could have the car ready in time. stuff happens Phil 8063

[Kent K.]

Dealer added option? *NM*

[John H.]

Re: C-1 Engine numbers

Don't doubt that at all, and I'm sure the same thing happened many times at Chevy dealers; however, it didn't happen at the assembly plant.

[John Araujo]

Re: C-1 Engine numbers

Thanks for the info, I guess it was just wishful thinking on my part.
John Araujo