Engine Castings

[Ray C.]

Would like some information on Chevrolet Castings. It is my understanding that GM used three casting plants; Saginaw, Tonawanda and St. Katherne, Ontario Canada. I have learned that Tonawanda Castings will have a date stamp ending in a double digit year(1965): 65 A Siginaw casting date stamp will end in a single digit:(1965) 5. I have no information on St. Kathernes casting. How would you Identify a casting that did not have a date stamp. The Tech & Judging guide states that water pump (#3782608) for small Chevy started date stamping pumps in late 1964. I have a restoration book that lists 1966 as the year these pumps were dated. Is there refference materials on GM castings, especialy Saginaw castings that will help to identify the correct castings for Corvettes.

Thanks Ray

[Robert Willis]

Re: Engine Castings

The Canadian blocks while not used in the Corvette had the same casting numbers. The date codes for the blocks cast in St. Catharines is on the passenger side of the block about 2 inches below the deck and between the frost plugs . Often they will have Canada cast on the front of the block in small letters. BOB

http://members.kos.net/willisb/vette.html

[Joe L.]

Re: Engine Castings

Ray-----

Most Tonawanda cast pieces do use the "two digit" year code. However, not all do. So, this is not an absolute when it comes to casting origin. However, another feature to look for is the foundry identification mark. Virtually all Tonawanda cast pieces have a "T" prominently displayed on the casting. Often, it will be associated with the mold number (e.g. "GMT 4"). Castings produced at St. Catherines usually have a "K" somewhere on them, although not usually associated with the mold number. Saginaw cast parts have no foundry identification mark that I'm aware of.