dating C2 Engine

[Joep F.]

[Joe L.]

Re: dating C2 Engine

Joep-----

The block is likely from a 1965 base engine Corvette (i.e. 250 hp). However, the production code of "F018IOHE" does not make sense. It's the "IO" part of it I do not understand. You might want to check this again. Also, the casting date of the block and the casting number of the block are also important to help ID it. These will be found on either side of the block bellhousing flange, seen below the rear of both cylinder heads. The casting number will be found on the driver side of the block and the casting date on the passenger side. Most likely, the casting number will be 3782870 if the block is, indeed, from a 1965 Corvette.

The left head was cast on March 8, 1968. The right head was cast on May 10, 1967. The 3917291 casting was used for virtually all late 1967 and 1968 Chevrolet 302, 327, and 350 cid engines. It was manufactured into cylinder heads with both 1.94/1.50 and 2.02/1.60 valve sizes. There's no way to tell which you have without having the heads off and measuring the valve head size.

The inlet manifold, GM casting #3844461, is an aluminum, square (Holley) flange manifold originally used for 1964-65 Corvettes and Chevelles with L-76 and L-79 engines.

The carburetor, a Holley 3043, was originally used for 1965 Chevelles with L-79 engine. The GM part number is 3863150 and NOT 386315006. It was manufactured during the 1st week of May, 1965.

There's no way to estimate what the current horsepower of the engine is without knowing a lot more about the internal components of the engine.

[Joep F.]

Re: dating C2 Engine

Joe,

Thanks for your info.
The casting number of the block is indeed 3782870.
The casting date H84.

I checked once more the production code of the block. However it really seems to be F018IOHE, however the O might be a 0 (zero). The I however doesnt look like the 1 as is in the F018. Does this make sense?

How was the compression rate increased in these blocks? By flatter heads or by different crankshafts or pistons?

Thanks,
Joep

[John H.]

Re: dating C2 Engine

Joep -

There should only be four characters between the "F" and the "HE" - two for the month, and two for the day; you're showing five.

Compression was determined by the combustion chamber volume in the cylinder head and the shape of the top of the piston (flat vs. domed).

[Joep F.]

Re: dating C2 Engine

I understand you are the professionals in this. I attached the picture of my stamppad. Can anybody help me out?

Thanks, Joep

[Joep F.]

Re: dating C2 Engine

I found out that the 3917291 heads were so called "camel hump" heads with 64 cc chamber. What does this mean?

Joep

[Joe L.]

Re: dating C2 Engine

Joep-----

Yes, the 3917291 cylinder heads do have a 64 cc nominal combustion chamber volume which is shared with many other small block cylinder heads of the 60's and early 70's. It's just the volumetric size of the combustion chamber.

The "double hump" reference is to the casting marks on the ends of the cylinder heads. This denotes the heads as "high performance". However, it does not fully identify the heads as to valve size. These heads were used for a lot of different applications, some of which some folks might not consider to be "high performance".

[Joe L.]

Re: dating C2 Engine

Joep-----

You had one more character in your original posting than is seen in the photo; that's why the confusion. Anyway, the engine code stamping indicates that the engine was built at the Flint motor plant on August 10 (08I0). Sometimes the character "I" is used in place of a "1" on these stampings; that's what happened here. The "HE" refers to the engine description I provided earlier. To ifnd the YEAR of the engine's production you need to look for the casting date found on the passenger side bellhousing flange. The last digit of the code represents the last digit of the year the block was cast.

[Joep F.]

Re: dating C2 Engine

Thanks Joe,

Clear!
The casting date is H84.
It seems so that I have a 64 Vette (VIN 40867S100880) with an engine made in 1964, but which was meant for a 65 Vette, right?

Joep