Where and when were engines stamped on C-2 Corvettes ?
At what point during the assembly process where engine numbers stamped on C-2. For example, I own a 1967, 427/400 hp, roadster with a "born with" engine. I know there are two sets of numbers and letters on the engine pad. I know the larger (height) of the two sets of digits represent the Tonawanda engine plant, the engine assembly date ( month and day) and the two digit letter code identifying the engine type. I also know that the smaller set of digits represent the sequential production number of the car as it rolled down the assembly line in St. Louis. My question is were both sets of digits stamped on the block in Tonawanda engine plant, or was one set stamped in Tonawanda and the second set stamped in the final assembly plant in St. Louis ? Just curious. Thx.
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Re: Where and when were engines stamped on C-2 Corvettes ?
Henry------
The engine code/date stamping, whether Flint or Tonawanda, was stamped at the engine assembly plant. The VIN derivative was stamped at the vehicle assembly plant, St. Louis for all C2 Corvettes and most C3 Corvettes.In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
Re: Where and when were engines stamped on C-2 Corvettes ?
VINstamp.jpgHere's a good shot of the VIN stamping on a C3 engine.......Big Tanks In the High Mountains of New MexicoComment
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Re: Where and when were engines stamped on C-2 Corvettes ?
While you didn't ask, the next logical question is: Exactly when were the engine assembly characters stamped? Flint stamped their characters AFTER the cylinder head was installed. Almost all Tonawanda assembled engines were stamped BEFORE the cylinder head was installed.TerryComment
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Re: Where and when were engines stamped on C-2 Corvettes ?
We were able to tour the Flint engine plant during the 1992 NCRS National in Detroit. Here is a photo of the guy stamping an engine. Someone asked about a mistake stamping. He reached over for a rotary grinder and ground off the stamp he had just done. He then re-flint0090.jpgstamped that engine.Comment
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Re: Where and when were engines stamped on C-2 Corvettes ?
And the size of that die grinder was remarkable. He pilled it out of that blue cabinet. It was he size of his forearm. The air hose going to it looked like 3/4-inch ID. Pieces of iron were flying all over the place. When he re-stamped it he must have hit it half a dozen times. I think we got the point he was trying to make.
That piece of paper hanging from the water pump had the engine suffix code in large letters on it. That is how he knew which stamp to grab from a shelf of holders just out of the picture on the right.TerryComment
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Re: Where and when were engines stamped on C-2 Corvettes ?
That fellow that stamped then engines was invited to do a seminar at Dr. Mike McCagh's place in Cumberland right after the convention.
We learned a lot from him.
Now Dr. Mike can tell you more. John DComment
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Re: Where and when were engines stamped on C-2 Corvettes ?
Thank you all for your knowledge. One other question, were the engines assembled and stamped knowing that they are destined for certain vehicles at the assembly plant, or were they just shipped and stored and used when needed ?Comment
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Re: Where and when were engines stamped on C-2 Corvettes ?
One last question, is there an L-71 registry or is someone aware of the lowest serial numbered 1967 Corvette roadster, to leave the final assembly plant with the L-71 option ? ThanksComment
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Re: Where and when were engines stamped on C-2 Corvettes ?
Henry------
In those days the engine assemblies had an suffix engine code that was usually specific for certain vehicle(s) and certain RPO's. Those engines were shipped to the vehicle assembly plant(s) that assembled those vehicle(s). Those plants installed the engines in vehicles for which the build sheet specified that engine. In other words, when the engine was built, it was NOT destined for a specific, individual vehicle.
Much later, I believe they went to a system in which a specific engine was destined for a specific vehicle. However, that did not occur in the C1, C2, or C3 era.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: Where and when were engines stamped on C-2 Corvettes ?
It would be interesting to know when they assigned VIN numbers on the St. Louis built cars. Today's system indicates they assign a VIN shortly after the order reaches 3400 status, and it is entered into the plant's computers and scheduled for build, several weeks before it is built. I do remember when I built my LS9 engine in Wixom for my '12 ZR1, in August 2011, and arrived at Bowling Green to watch the car get built in November, I was hoping the engine I built was the actual engine put in the car, and sure enough it was. Today, I guess assigning a specific engine for a specific car is easily done.Big Tanks In the High Mountains of New MexicoComment
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