1959 Corvette

[Jack M.]

I am currently restoring a 1959 Corvette and need some help. I want to put the right Borg Warner 4 speed into the car and do not know how to read the number properly to make sure that whatever I purchase belongs in the car. I want to make sure that all my number match in the restoration and I'm not fimilar enough with the serial number history to understand it. Here's my Information. 1959 Corvette (J59S108759). I have F625CU Front Engine Block Stamp with a Engine Block Casting #3756519 which I know is correct for this year. I can't find much information on which numbers are correct for the transmission and could use some advice. I know that the 3 speed was consider Standard for a manual transmission that year and the Power Glide was also standard, but the 4 speed transmissions were an option and was not recorded anywhere when purchased. I just don't know what is correct for this year and hope someone can help!!
Thanks
Jack

[Terry D.]

Re: 1959 Corvette

Jack

May I suggest you purchase a copy of the NCRS Corvette spec guide or Corvette by the Numbers or Noland Adams Restoration Guide. These will be very useful as you restore your car and can be purchased at discount through the NCRS store. Most libraries also carry Corvette books in their reference sections, you can't check them out but you can copy pages if you need the info right away.
Terry

[Terry D.]

Re: 1959 Corvette

Jack

Here is some info from the Spec Guide. Vin number 8759 was built the first week in July, the CU on the engine pad means it was a 270hp, with two fours and manual transmission. In 1959 1,846 cars were ordered with that engine. 9,670 cars were built that year.3,617 came with a 3 speed. You don't mention the date code of your block, are you sure it is right? You might also want to buy the Judging Manual for your year.
Terry

[John H.]

Re: 1959 Corvette

Jack -

You need a T10-1 or T10-1B iron main case (check the '59 Judging Guide for the correct breakpoint date between the two), a T10-7A aluminum tailhousing, and a T10-148A side cover.

[John H.]

Re: 1959 Corvette - Add-On

Note that transmission "numbers" aren't checked in Flight Judging - just configuration.

[Joseph T.]

Re: 1957 Corvette T-10

John..that was really good. Do you by chance have info on the early 57 T-10's.. like what is the earliest known casting and assembly dates.

I am getting ready to pull the special and unusual Chevrolet/Corvette 57 fuelie engine and very early all cast iron transmission from the George Moore/ Eb Rose car.

I believe it is an early March assembly date..and am anxious to see any casting dates. When I bought the car..George the original owner said look for special markings on the transmission as it was one of the 1st T-10's

I have contacted an engineer at Borg Warner who said he would check the archives once I supply him with all the dates and markings. He also asked if there was a tag.. I am assuming he means on the passenger side of the main case..as I believe there is..instead of the later casting mark.

Should be interesting.

Joe

[Ronnie Rains]

Re: 1957 Corvette T-10

I had a "B" of 57 trans, that is the earlies I have seen

[Joseph T.]

Re: 1957 Corvette T-10

Ronnie..did it have a cast iron tail shaft and do you remember the casting # on the passenger side...

I am told that some were cast in Oct of 56..but I have not verified that yet.

That would seem pretty early..with production not showing on cars till about May of 57. I suppose if any were cast in Oct.56 they may have been an early test run...used on special cars.

Lots more to learn. I will let you know what I find after pulling the engine and transmission this weekend...probably.

Joe Trybulec

[Ronnie Rains]

Re: 1957 Corvette T-10

I sold this tray a couple of years ago. I don't remember the casting but it was correct inevery way. I sold it fot $4500.00 on ebay
RDR

[Joseph T.]

Cha Ching $$$ *NM*

[Art A.]

Re: 1957 Corvette T-10

Joe, I'm not sure about your George Moore/ Eb Rose car, but there are about a dozen pages of WO 17792- that address pre-production T-10 Transmissions for your "other" 57 FI car. But I maybe you already know that.

Art

[Joseph T.]

Re: 1957 Corvette T-10

Art

I am just about ready to pull the engine and transmission from the George Moore / Eb Rose car. Will post the early transmission markings once I do. Maybe we will learn something. My guess is it is a March box.

Are you going to Bloomington this year?

Joe

[Art A.]

Re: 1957 Corvette T-10

Not sure yet...............but maybe.

AA

[Joseph T.]

Re: 1957 Corvette T-10

Art

I pulled the Black Widow engine and transmission out of the George Moore / Eb Rose 54...after 50 years.

The Main case is stamped with a March 10th 1957 date and the cast iron tail shaft casting # is 0-146256.

Do you recognize this casting #.

Any idea how many all cast iron T-10's may have been produced before changing to an aluminum tail shaft. I seem to remember the aluminum tail shaft in my 57 survivor #4353 was April 15th.

Joe

[Art A.]

Re: 1957 Corvette T-10

Joe,

Aahhh a good date March 10th...................which was my grandfather's birthday.

Yes, I recognize 0-146256 as a Chevrolet Engineering prototype part number.

"Any idea how many all cast iron T-10's may have been produced before changing to an aluminum tail shaft."

No, I don't know the exact amount, but I did read in W.O. 17792 that they were going to WAIT for the PRODUCTION T-10's to become available as they didn't want to have more of the ones that they were breaking built. I got the idea that they knew the "PRODUCTION" ones were going to be available soon.

Art