Motor question 1959

[Chris L.]

Have a 59. 283/245 2x4 car. Block 3756519 date code H 27 8. Pad reads F017CT which I have researched and it appears to be Jan 7 1959 date as they apparently used 3 AND 4 number dates from 55-59 from what I have read. Car was built in Nov 58. So the block and date code are correct and the CT is correct along with the intake, carbs and generator. My question is would it be logical to assume it was a warranty replacement being built 2 months after the car? I have no documentation on the car and only hearsay history back 3 years so nothing to back anything up. Thoughts? and thanks in advance.

[Joe L.]

Re: Motor question 1959

Have a 59. 283/245 2x4 car. Block 3756519 date code H 27 8. Pad reads F017CT which I have researched and it appears to be Jan 7 1959 date as they apparently used 3 AND 4 number dates from 55-59 from what I have read. Car was built in Nov 58. So the block and date code are correct and the CT is correct along with the intake, carbs and generator. My question is would it be logical to assume it was a warranty replacement being built 2 months after the car? I have no documentation on the car and only hearsay history back 3 years so nothing to back anything up. Thoughts? and thanks in advance.

Chris------


It's possible that what you have is a case of a warranty replacement engine. However, I would more expect that there's some kind of discrepancy or misinterpretation of the block stamping. The fact is that the block casting date does work for your car's build date. In addition, I don't really see a block cast on August 27, 1958 not being machined and assembled until January 7, 1959.

[Edward M.]

Re: Motor question 1959

Have a 59. 283/245 2x4 car. Block 3756519 date code H 27 8. Pad reads F017CT which I have researched and it appears to be Jan 7 1959 date as they apparently used 3 AND 4 number dates from 55-59 from what I have read. Car was built in Nov 58. So the block and date code are correct and the CT is correct along with the intake, carbs and generator. My question is would it be logical to assume it was a warranty replacement being built 2 months after the car? I have no documentation on the car and only hearsay history back 3 years so nothing to back anything up. Thoughts? and thanks in advance.

A 1959 engine pad stamped F017CT has got be be an error of some sort.

From 1957 to Jan of 1960, Corvette engines were stamped using the following format:

F - always an 'F', which represents Flint engine plant
M(M) - a one or two digit sequence that represents the month of engine assembly, and MUST be between 1 = January and 12 = December
DD - a two digit sequence that represents the day of engine assembly.


Your engine stamp of F017CT does not meet these rules.

F = Flint
0 is NOT a valid month
17 is a valid day
CT is a valid Corvette engine code.

Based on the casting date of H 27 8 (August 27, 1958), my guess is the you engine stamp SHOULD read F917CT for September 17 (1958).
The other possibility is that your engine stamp is missing a digit, and should be F1017CT for October 17, (1958).

The leading zero to represent the month started on January 18, 1960.

What are the dates on the cylinder heads? That might help narrow it down.

Interesting anomaly.
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[Dan A.]

Re: Motor question 1959

Maybe this maybe that. IE. is the 0 of F017CT maybe F917CT. Best way to proceed is post nice clear photos of the casting date, casting number and the stamp pad.

Has it been established this is a Flint block?

[Loren L.]

Re: Motor question 1959

Another possibility is that an "I" is missing after the "F".