"DC" foundary marking

[Verne Frantz]

Does anyone have an idea what a "DC" casted marking relates to on aluminum casted parts sent to the engine assembly plants? ('50s and '60s)
thanks......
The specific parts in question are the thermostat housings. I'm trying to determine the original applications for the 4 different styles of 223 thermo housings. Besides application, the variety may depend on which plant assembled the engine.(?) I have several logged orignals, but am far away from any specific break-down. (just a little pet project of mine)

Verne

[Joe L.]

Re: "DC" foundary marking

Verne------

I fully expect that it's the manufacturer's ID mark. Parts like these cast aluminum thermostat housings were usually never manufactured in-house by GM. They were usually, if not always, manufactured by outside suppliers. I'll wager that "DC" was one of those suppliers. Just what company name that "DC" refers to I don't know. Likely, it would be a company that neither you or I ever heard of and one that's no longer in business or has been merged into another company.

[Verne Frantz]

Re: "DC" foundary marking

I suspected that "DC" referred to the supplier. I think I may have found the answer, which was before my eyes all the time. On what I believe to be the earliest version of the 223 thermo housing (the one with a die parting line that runs along the centerline of the part), there is a long diamond cast into the left side, just above the casting number. Magnified enough, it reads "DIE CAST" inside the triangle. I'd be inclined to assume that was the name of the company.
On what I call version 2, there is the "DC" cast into one of the recesses in the base. Versions 3 & 4 (by my chronology) each have a small triangle on the edge of the base with "ADC" cast into it - the "A" being at the top of the triangle, and "DC" below it.
So, it would appear that the same supplier made all 4 versions. I would be interested in knowing when the changes occurred and whether any one type was "application specific", rather than just chronological.

Verne

[Joseph T.]

Re: "DC" foundary marking

Verne..check out this early outlet...with special cast #

Joe Trybulec

[Verne Frantz]

Re: "DC" foundary marking

Interesting Joe. Thanks. That appears to be cast iron in the style of the first aluminum 223 part, with the mold parting line through the centerline of the piece.
By the way, judging by the rust in that pulley groove, I'd say it's about time you took that car out for a ride.

Verne

[Joseph T.]

Re: "DC" foundary marking

I agree..it has been about 40 years...Joe

[Philip C.]

Re: joe inside joke

Joe whats the story on that housing Thanks Phil 8063

[Joseph T.]

Re: joe inside joke

Phil..I can't tell if your question is tongue in cheek..but here goes.

This is the thermostat housing on the original Chevrolet Engineering workorder engine in the November 56 built 1957 Fuel Injected Nassau/Daytona Factory Team Car...that introduced Fuel Injection at the Nassau,Bahamas Governors Trophy race in Dec.1956 and is featured in Corvette News Vol.1 #1

Personally..I have not seen another thermostat housing like it with the cast # on the side..but I am still learning after 30 years of this. There are many other very unique features on this special engine..which includes the unrestored original #132 pre-production 4360 fuel unit.

Notice that is #132..not #1132

No RP ID tag..all major pieces cold steel stamped built under laboratory assembly. Original foil tag still on the fuel meter. Its neat!

Joe

[Verne Frantz]

Re: joe inside joke

OK, so you have a very significant piece of Chevrolet history "sitting" there. Like I said Joe,
Take the freakin' thing out for a ride! That experience would be worth a tad more than just another look at it sitting in your garage, wouldn't it????
Think about it. Do it. It won't destroy it. How many other people would die for that experience???
YOU have the opportunity. Get off your butt. Experience the car! For heaven's sake.......show it some daylight. It wasn't built to be left in a tomb.

(I'm just trying to get you to enjoy the car)
Verne

[Joseph T.]

Re: joe inside joke

Verne..

Thanks for the words of encouragement. Actually.. I just had a 4520 unit restored and plan to start it up with that unit...and save the dual spider 4360 for later.

I too am anxious to take it for a ride..

Sitting behind the wheel in the same seat that Dick Thompson and Paul Goldsmith set records with..will be another once in a lifetime milestone.

Joe

[Roy B.]

Re: "DC" foundary marking

I wrote about the four different aluminum housings years ago being the first design having a die parting line that runs along the centerline of the part also the part #3837223 located on the right or left side of the round area with the suppliers logo. Top and Bottom lip area is solid No recessed area.

Second design also had the same part number #3837223 a GM logo but this time on the round top area with no cast line and the top lip area now shows minor recess with bottom solid.

Third design top round area now smooth no casting line, part number still on lip area but large in size , also the lip area is deeply recessed and bottom area not.

Fourth design same as third but part numbers are small and the filler neck base is beefed up and neck thicker . This design superceded all the rest as a replacement part

Now remember I and others felt this was correct 25 years ago , so this may now be wrong for the JM all designs had the same part number!

[Roy B.]

Re: "DC" foundary marking

First design

[Verne Frantz]

Re: "DC" foundary marking

Thanks Roy,
Those are the 4 designs I was referring to, although I had the 3rd and 4th reversed from your description. I'm still very curious to know the evolution (time periods) of their use, and if any one type is specific to an application.
(or perhaps it's a Flint vs Tonawanda thing)? I've been collecting data and have some hunches, but I don't feel confident to make any conclusions yet.
Verne

[Roy B.]

Re: "DC" foundary marking

I remember years ago people taking the original off their 57 FI and putting the cast iron one on to pass judging but knowing the aluminum was original. This was done on many C1's with aluminum intakes to get JM points.Then the argument was it's design. I don't know what the JM is today. As I said they all had the same part number weather first or late design. Like the aluminum valve covers 6 or 9 fin also had the same part number when buying like so many other parts.
That was the reason I wrote so much about knowing how the part looked in design besides knowing the part number.It made sense to me that an early Corvette used the first design looking part, but wear the second design came in ?????? Every Corvette used different design parts ( but in what serial number) of that year Corvette. 55 Corvette used three designed headlight bulbs , but the JM and few people know that. OH well!!!

[Art A.]

Re: joe inside joke

Joe, I take it from your statement......"This is the thermostat housing on the original Chevrolet Engineering workorder engine in the November 56 built 1957 Fuel Injected Nassau/Daytona Factory Team Car...that introduced Fuel Injection at the Nassau,Bahamas Governors Trophy race in Dec.1956 and is featured in Corvette News Vol.1 #1 ".......that you have finally found a copy of said Work Order that substantiates your assumption that it is in fact an Chevrolet Engineering Work Order car?