Tonawanda Engine Block

[Mike M.]

Re: Tonawanda Engine Block

is there a pipe plug on the front face of the block, just inboard of the stamp pad? i have a 64 365 c-60 coupe, built early april. its got a flint blcok. what is the outdside diamerter of the air condition compressor pulley?mike

[Paul J.]

Re: Tonawanda Engine Block

The 1964's were made from August 1963 to July 1964....

Dave, I understand that 64 production began in September, and the trim tag prefix is "A". If any cars were produced in August, what prefix is on thier trim tag?

Paul

[Ralph S.]

Re: Tonawanda Engine Block

It has the pipe plug. In talking to John Hinckley he thought that all blocks had the pipe plug.

Car is in storage do can't measurement but when I had the compressor rebuilt they did note that the pulley was for a high HP engine. Also, the carb, intake, valve covers, and tach are for the 365HP motor.

[David L.]

Re: Tonawanda Engine Block

Dave, I understand that 64 production began in September, and the trim tag prefix is "A". If any cars were produced in August, what prefix is on thier trim tag?

Paul

Paul,

The 1964 engine production began in "late" August 1964 (and possibly "mid" Aug.) as indicated in Noland Adam's 63-67 restoration book.

VIN "40837S100280", Eng. ID "4100280", Eng. code "F0826RE" (Aug. 26, 1963), Block date "H243" (Aug. 24, 1963)
The production date of the car was probably during the 1st week of September 1963.

The last 1963 Corvette engine listed in his book was made on July 19, 1963.

VIN "30837S121476, Eng. ID "3121476, Eng. code "F0719RD", Block date "G123"
21,513 1963 Corvettes were made
The 37 1963 Corvette engines made after #21476 were probably made in July 1963.

Dave

[Paul J.]

Re: Tonawanda Engine Block

Paul,

The 1964 engine production began in "late" August 1964 (and possibly "mid" Aug.) as indicated in Noland Adam's 63-67 restoration book.

VIN "40837S100280", Eng. ID "4100280", Eng. code "F0826RE" (Aug. 26, 1963), Block date "H243" (Aug. 24, 1963)
The production date of the car was probably during the 1st week of September 1963.

The last 1963 Corvette engine listed in his book was made on July 19, 1963.

VIN "30837S121476, Eng. ID "3121476, Eng. code "F0719RD", Block date "G123"
21,513 1963 Corvettes were made
The 37 1963 Corvette engines made after #21476 were probably made in July 1963.

Dave

Thanks Dave, I know that engines had to be assembled prior to start of car production. I just wanted to clear this up. You were talking about engines when you said "64 production", but your post was in a discussion about car production, hence my reference to trim tags. I thought I might have missed something.

Paul

[Terry M.]

Re: Tonawanda Engine Block

Mike,
FWIW the C3 Tonawanda cast and Flint assembled engines do have the little pipe plug you are so in love with.

I would be remiss if I did not point out that these Tonawanda cast and Flint assembled engines were not exclusive to Corvette. They found their way into all manner of Chevrolet vehicles. Most other Chevroelt vehicle collectors are not observant (I really really wanted to use another word there, and y'all can guess what it is) enough to notice this "feature."

[Mike M.]

Re: Tonawanda Engine Block

terry: reason i asked about the pipe plug is i'd expect it to be there on a tonowanda/flint machined engine but wouldn't be suprised if the plug was not installed by a "restorer" who used a tonowanda block then restamped the pad. mike

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Tonawanda Engine Block

terry: reason i asked about the pipe plug is i'd expect it to be there on a tonowanda/flint machined engine but wouldn't be suprised if the plug was not installed by a "restorer" who used a tonowanda block then restamped the pad. mike

I guess I am getting confused. I thought that the hole was a foundry core print hole not a machined hole that was plugged to cover the core print hole that only one foundry used. No hole no need to plug so why did flint do it?

[David L.]

Re: Tonawanda Engine Block

Paul,

My original point was to clarify what I believe to considered "late" in a production year.
"Early" would be Sept., Oct., Nov. and Dec.
"Mid" would be Jan., Feb., Mar., and Apr.
"Late" would be May, Jun. July, and Aug.

Dave

[Joe L.]

Re: Tonawanda Engine Block

I guess I am getting confused. I thought that the hole was a foundry core print hole not a machined hole that was plugged to cover the core print hole that only one foundry used. No hole no need to plug so why did flint do it?

Ken-----

The hole was DRILLED. Tonawanda had some sort of block machining capability that did not require this hole to be drilled. In other words, they achieved the internal oiling passage configuration required without the need to drill an external origin hole. Flint did not have this capability and had to drill the external-origin hole to achieve the required internal oiling configuration.

The thing I've never been able to figure out is this: I believe some MD/HD truck applications use this 1/8 NPT fitting for some purpose. If so, does that mean that these trucks could not use a Tonawanda block? Of course, perhaps GM supplied all engines to MD/HD trucks from Flint.

[Dick W.]

Re: Tonawanda Engine Block

Ken-----

The hole was DRILLED. Tonawanda had some sort of block machining capability that did not require this hole to be drilled. In other words, they achieved the internal oiling passage configuration required without the need to drill an external origin hole. Flint did not have this capability and had to drill the external-origin hole to achieve the required internal oiling configuration.

The thing I've never been able to figure out is this: I believe some MD/HD truck applications use this 1/8 NPT fitting for some purpose. If so, does that mean that these trucks could not use a Tonawanda block? Of course, perhaps GM supplied all engines to MD/HD trucks from Flint.

Joe I believe this oil passage was also used to supply oil to the compressor on air brake equipped trucks

[Ralph S.]

Re: Tonawanda Engine Block

Are the requirements in regard to the blocks identical in the 64 and 65 Judging Guides? I only have a 63/64 guide but some members must have both Judging Guides to compare?

[Doug F.]

Re: Tonawanda Engine Block

Rich, i had a mid late production, as i recall , 64 back in the 80's with a 180 block, it was a 300 air car, no doubt it was the real deal, i wouldn't worry about it as long as the stamp looks good

[Joe L.]

Re: Tonawanda Engine Block

I see it quite frequently... like whenever I look at my car.

Patrick-----


Very interesting. I was unaware of this. Is yours a GM #3970014 or 3970010 casting?

[Ralph S.]

Re: Tonawanda Engine Block

Have you guys seen this article. Furnished by the author. There is also a fascinating discussion about this topic in Noland Adams' book for the 1965 Corvette.