1963 Corvette 327 RE And RF Engines, Need Value

[Ray S.]

Greetings all, although I have been a NCRS member for a few years now, this is my first post on your fine Forum. Let me start with a question.

Can you give me a ballpark figure of the value of a 1963 Corvette RE 340hp engine, long block with the correct heads and intake (but incorrect carb, distributor, exhaust manifolds, oil pan and balancer, let's call it a long block) and a 1963 Corvette RF 360hp FI short block (it has a set of later model heads and aftermarket intake, no distributor or carb) ?

Here's my short story :

While shopping for a buildable 327 engine so that I could pickle my numbers matching '66 engine I came across a fairly complete 1963 RE 340hp long block with the correct intake and a 1963 RF 360hp FI short block (it has later model heads and an aftermarket intake). Both of these engines have nice stamp pads, the codes and dates are easily legible as are the VINs on both blocks. Neither of these two VIN's appear on the C2Registry and it would be a blast to get the block back to the right car. I also like the idea on an "incorrect and stock appearing" 340hp mill in my '66. But then we are dealing with the cost to purchase and my limited garage space.

Here are the numbers:
3107156 F0102 RE (L172 Build Date)

3105819 F1121 RF (K162 Build Date)

Anyone out there have a '63 with these VIN's ?

I have photos that I would gladly send, you can reach me at rayvaflav@hotmail.com

I hope that I have the engine that you have been looking for.

Thanks in advance, Ray

[Paul Y.]

Re: 1963 Corvette 327 RE And RF Engines, Need Value

Ray, that's cool. I wish it fit my 63 fuely but I'm about double that number. I sure would like to see the owners find them. Did you find one for your 66?

[Ray S.]

Re: 1963 Corvette 327 RE And RF Engines, Need Value

Hey Paul, I have the number matching engine in my '66 so I was looking to build a non-matching number small block that I could push hard and not feel like I was going to blow the original engine. I did get a '65 300hp short block that I can build as a driver. Here are a couple of photos of the RE and the RF engines :





Ray

[Domenic T.]

Re: 1963 Corvette 327 RE And RF Engines, Need Value

I'm not sure how to ask this question but my vin # on my 63 engineless car is:
30837S116075
I checked the build day calculator and it says May/27/63.
What block # would I be looking for?

DOM

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1963 Corvette 327 RE And RF Engines, Need Value

Dom,

The blocks are all the same ending in 870 for the 63's, does not matter what hp the engine is built too.

Differences are rotating assembly, heads and induction system. All blocks the same two bolt main parts.

[Domenic T.]

Re: 1963 Corvette 327 RE And RF Engines, Need Value

Tim,
How does one tell if those #s that are on the pad fit their vin #?

DOM

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1963 Corvette 327 RE And RF Engines, Need Value

Dom,

Look at the first picture of the RF engine and the #'s to the left are the last part of the serial # of the car in question.

In this case 3107156, 3= year 1= corvette 07156 is the production # of the car. The #'s match the spot welded pad under the glove box.. This engine belongs in the 7,156 car produced. This # is stamped at the St Louis assembly line when the car is made. The number is also stamped in the top of the frame on the drivers side rear kick up just above where the rear shock bolts up and also in the transmission case.

It's valuable to that car for sure, I would like to have a FI coupe or convertible.

The next suffix F0102RF indicates F= Flint production, 01= January, 02= second day of month and RF indicating fuel injection. This stamp is applied at Flint, it's the day the engine was assembled.

Some people are funny about posting the serial # of there car but you never know because posting may make you a happy camper. In this case I bet that motor will increase the value of the car at least 10000 if the rest of the car is nice.

[Domenic T.]

Re: 1963 Corvette 327 RE And RF Engines, Need Value

Dom,

Look at the first picture of the RF engine and the #'s to the left are the last part of the serial # of the car in question.

In this case 3107156, 3= year 1= corvette 07156 is the production # of the car. The #'s match the spot welded pad under the glove box.. This engine belongs in the 7,156 car produced. This # is stamped at the St Louis assembly line when the car is made. The number is also stamped in the top of the frame on the drivers side rear kick up just above where the rear shock bolts up and also in the transmission case.

It's valuable to that car for sure, I would like to have a FI coupe or convertible.

The next suffix F0102RF indicates F= Flint production, 01= January, 02= second day of month and RF indicating fuel injection. This stamp is applied at Flint, it's the day the engine was assembled.

Some people are funny about posting the serial # of there car but you never know because posting may make you a happy camper. In this case I bet that motor will increase the value of the car at least 10000 if the rest of the car is nice.

Tim,
Thanks for the explanation, I guess I'll have to at least find a 870 block for mine.

DOM

[Joe R.]

Re: 1963 Corvette 327 RE And RF Engines, Need Value

Dom,

In addition, I would recommend trying to find a block that would fit date wise with the rest of your car. A month or two prior to the car's birthday would be great, but anything up to six months prior would be OK, too.

Joe

[Steven C.]

Re: 1963 Corvette 327 RE And RF Engines, Need Value

Ray, check with Syd Garber. He has a much better 63 listing than you will find on an online registry.

[Domenic T.]

Re: 1963 Corvette 327 RE And RF Engines, Need Value

Dom,

In addition, I would recommend trying to find a block that would fit date wise with the rest of your car. A month or two prior to the car's birthday would be great, but anything up to six months prior would be OK, too.

Joe

Joe,
I think that is all I can do at this point. I rebuilt a 66 block I bought from a friend. He was running it in a Austin Healy turning low 10s. I used it in my 67 coupe for a year or so while I was hunting for parts to my 427. I was not a big block fan and loved the 327. The casting # was for a vette and Chevy II.
It ran great then my altinator fan took the belt off while I was busy on the freeway with a Porche. I overheated the fresh engine, took it out and did it .020 over and balanced it with the 30/30 cam. It had the big 202 heads.
I was going to use it in the 63 coupe till I looked at the oil filter casting and found out that it was the rare 350HP Chevy II 327 only available in 1966. They had a modified oil filter casting so they would fit the Chevy II.
So now I'm on the hunt again and am going to sell the Chevy II block to a Chevy II lover.

DOM

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1963 Corvette 327 RE And RF Engines, Need Value

Dom,

Is your car 300-340 or FI??

The 870 blocks are not hard to find just make sure it's a Flint block. Notice the F in the assembly date on the pad in the picture. Also, the cast dates on Flint blocks will use a single digit (3) for year not (63).. Example C213 = March 21, 1963. The 1/8" oil plug will also be in the front above the stamp pad.

A Tonawanda 870 block will read C2163 for the same date. Look for a 300hp long block and you will have the correct 461X heads which are used on 300,340 and FI. I saw one on Craigslist about a year ago complete, I can't remember the price except thinking to myself that if I needed a 63 motor it is a great deal.

[Domenic T.]

Re: 1963 Corvette 327 RE And RF Engines, Need Value

Tim,
When I looked at the tach I think it was 5500 red line and it had a 3:36 rear end. Probably a 300HP.
I have a few sets of 461 heads but none are 63.

DOM

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1963 Corvette 327 RE And RF Engines, Need Value

Dom,

A 300hp with wide ratio T-10 and 3.36 is a nice combo for the street. Look for a complete motor, it's worth the extra $$ to get those 63 parts..

Try an add in the driveline magazine.

[Domenic T.]

Re: 1963 Corvette 327 RE And RF Engines, Need Value

Dom,

A 300hp with wide ratio T-10 and 3.36 is a nice combo for the street. Look for a complete motor, it's worth the extra $$ to get those 63 parts..

Try an add in the driveline magazine.

Tim,
Thats the combo I was thinking of, I did the wide ratio munci for it when I was doing my 67 close ratio.
I'm doing the 63 mechanical side by side with my 67 parts. The windshield wiper motor is a bit of a challenge, I had all the rivets but 2that O drolled out. I am in search of them today but if no luck I will machine them.
There is A/C in my 63 and I did the compressor already and have a line on a used 6 3/8 pulley for it.
It has the rebuldable STV and all the t*******s but I am suspicious after reading posts. It may have been added also. The guy I bought the car from in 1971 told me that there were only 120 made with air in 63.
I am familiar with adding A/C in the vette as I did it in the Chevy dealership on my 67. I will look for signs when I get to the body part of the restoraton.
I have the 435 in my 67 but loved the 327 engine and the power/economy they offer. I am not fond of the carter cAFB carb as I did everything to try and get 16 MPG on the road in 1965. Then the Qjet came out in 66 and I changed manifolds and put on on and saw 20.8 MPG on the road.
Well I'm off to look for rivets now.

DOM