1961 feulie block

[Jack Alexander]

My 61 vette has the incorrect block instead of the "519" the block I have belongs in a 58 vette. I would like to get it correct for judgeing but am unsure of what to look for. for instance I know it should be a "519" but as regards the date code , what are the perameters as to correct dateing? Also what other codes are there on the block to look for? My car was made on March 27th 1961 in St. Louis. It is a 315 HP Feulie 4 speed conv.Thank you in advance for your help!
Jack Alexander

http://l-alexander@prodigy.net

[Joe L.]

Re: 1961 feulie block

Jack------

I believe that NCRS/NCCB judging standards allow for a 6 month "window" prior to build date of the car for dated components of the car, including the engine block. So, you'll need a block which is cast within this time frame. In actual PRODUCTION, I think that the usual time frame was more like 2 to 8 weeks, but it can be longer so the judging standards accomodate this. The casting date is, of course, found on the right side bellhousing flange of the block.

In addition to the dating of the block casting, you'll need a block with the correct engine code. This is the sequence stamped on the block's stamping pad (front of the right side cylinder head)which, for 1961, would include an "F" followed by four digits which denote the month and day of the engine's assembly followed by the suffix code "CS". "CS" is the suffix code for the 315 hp engine.

For 1958 Corvette engines no VIN derivative was stamped onto the engine pad at St. Louis. However, by 1961 this practice included all Corvettes. So, if the engine is to be completely correct, this stamping will have to appear. However, you will get the majority of judging points if this is lacking BUT you have a correctly dated and coded engine block casting of the '519 casting number.

I don't know of any other block codes or markings which are judged but there may be some that I am unaware of.

[John H.]

Re: 1961 feulie block

Only Saginaw-cast blocks were used for Flint-built engines, and Flint was the sole engine plant that supplied small-block Corvette engines. The "year" digit at the end of the casting date is a single digit on a Flint engine, but is usually TWO digits on a Tonawanda-cast block, which were not used in Corvettes. Another block difference to look out for is the small square-head plug in the oil gallery directly below the base of the oil fill tube; Flint engines all had them, and Tonawanda engines didn't (Tonawanda used a different process for drilling the front oil gallery that didn't require the external plug). Presence of a two-digit year code or lack of the oil gallery plug would identify the block as being a non-original Tonawanda cast/machined engine.