61 corvette engine block

[David S.]

I purchansed a 61 corvette from original owner a couple of years ago. Engine block was replaced back in early 60's with 64 block. The reset of the pieces are on the car from factory. I was trying to locate the correct period block for the car. Does any one know from my serial number 10867S110701 if the block should be 3756519 or 3789935? Any other dates I need to look for on a replacement block? The car came with a 283 270hp engine (468 option) on the window sticker.

[William C.]

Re: 61 corvette engine block

According to the research done by owners of cars with the '935 block, they appeared randomly in low quantities in cars past s/n 9500, so either should work, but there are a lot more 519 blocks out there and most folks are used to seeing them.

[David S.]

Re: 61 corvette engine block

Thanks for the information.

[Steven B.]

Re: 61 corvette engine block

David, check The Driveline and Hemmings ("Corvette Parts") on line for blocks.

Good Luck!

Steve

[David K.]

Re: 61 corvette engine block

Simply a curious question. Is one block superior to another?

[David S.]

Re: 61 corvette engine block

I am not sure on the answer, just looking for correct one.

[Doug F.]

Re: 61 corvette engine block

try bill at performance chevy in phoenix, he is a driveline advertiser and a great guy, 602 254 2369

[Jack H.]

Re: 61 corvette engine block

Blocks were cast and engines assembled in several locations. The Flint engine plant served the St. Louis Corvette assy line using castings from the Saginaw foundry.

Similar SB engines were made at Tonawanda with castings from the Tonawanda foundry and these were typically shipped to GM's east coast final assy plants.

You'd HATE yourself if you sourced a '519 block cast in Tonawanda, installed it in your Corvette only to have the judges take a full deduction for the block being WRONG!

[David S.]

Re: 61 corvette engine block

How would you determine which plant the block came from?

Blocks were cast and engines assembled in several locations. The Flint engine plant served the St. Louis Corvette assy line using castings from the Saginaw foundry.

Similar SB engines were made at Tonawanda with castings from the Tonawanda foundry and these were typically shipped to GM's east coast final assy plants.

You'd HATE yourself if you sourced a '519 block cast in Tonawanda, installed it in your Corvette only to have the judges take a full deduction for the block being WRONG!

[David S.]

Re: 61 corvette engine block

Thanks for the information Doug, the phone number rings into a fax machine. Do you have another contact number or email address for Bill?

try bill at performance chevy in phoenix, he is a driveline advertiser and a great guy, 602 254 2369

[John H.]

Re: 61 corvette engine block

How would you determine which plant the block came from?

David -

Tonawanda small-blocks have 2 digits for the year portion of the block casting date (Saginaw/Flint blocks use one digit), and Tonawanda small-blocks don't have the square-head 1/8" NPT plug at 11 o'clock just above the timing cover that Flint blocks have.

[John N.]

Re: 61 corvette engine block

I would assume (which is dangerous) that if you have a correct cast dated Flint block you would be okay.
Regards

[David S.]

Re: 61 corvette engine block

Thanks, that helps alot in my search.

David -

Tonawanda small-blocks have 2 digits for the year portion of the block casting date (Saginaw/Flint blocks use one digit), and Tonawanda small-blocks don't have the square-head 1/8" NPT plug at 11 o'clock just above the timing cover that Flint blocks have.