strange engine pad

[Ruedi K.]

Hello once again,

I took a photo of my engine pad, just want to hear your opinions about it. It surely looks like a fake (1963, 327/300HP).

I also found the block number being 782870, is that the right number for a 327/300 block in a 63 Corvette? I suspect that the original block must have been changed by a previous owner.

Additional question: On the second picture is a bracket which is connected to the firewall, it is chrome. Could someone please explain if this is original or what bracket was used in 1963? And how is it called, if I need to order one.

Thank you very much

RudyDSC08905.jpgDSC08918.jpgDSC08927.jpg

[Michael G.]

Re: strange engine pad

I guess the 'stamper' had bad day. That has to be someone's idea of matching numbers. I like it, its almost whimsical. The block could be original, but its definitely been decked and re-stamped.

Your block number is missing a "3" at the beginning. Can't see if its the correct block without a pic of the cast-in date code and the last five digits of your VIN.

I've never seen that bracket before...

[Ruedi K.]

Re: strange engine pad

Hello Michael

Thank you for your input the pad reads: 3114508 F0418 RD.

last six digits of the VIN is: 114508

I had another look into the engine room it is: 3782870

Found the casting date it is A 4 4 (January 4, 1964), so the block is not original

You're right about the stamp pad, it was done really bad. Maybe I will correct it a bit :-)

Regarding the bracket: It guide the wires from the engine compartment, the wires end up on the starter. So this bracket should be redundant?? Maybe somebody could post a picture how the wires are routed in that area. Thank you in advance.

Rudy

[Marco H.]

Re: strange engine pad

That bracket appears to be an alternator or power steering support bracket. No bracket is used there. The harness is held in place with a J-clip that is attached to the lower inboard speed nut on the heater cover. (Should be in the Assembly Manual.)

[Ruedi K.]

Re: strange engine pad

Hello Marco

Thank you for the answer. I will get rid of that bracket and install a J-clip. I quickly looked through the AIM but could not find it at the time. If you could find it in the Corvette Central catalog would you be so kind and give me the part number. It looks as if it is missing on my car. A picture would be a great help for me.

Is it this one: E-871.JPG

[Ruedi K.]

Re: strange engine pad

I finally found them. The ones for the car w/AC are bond on. The ones w/o AC (for my car) come with rivets.So these are right? http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z50000050~~~I have included a photo of the VIN plate and trim tag inside the car, could somebody please check that, too, are the weld marks suspicious?Thank you

[Rob V.]

Strange Engine Pad & VIN Plate Question

Hi Reudi--I checked the Noland Adams book, The Complete Corvette Restoration & Technical Guide--Vol. 2, 1963 through 1967, and on page 54 there is a photo of a typical VIN (serial) plate for a 1963 Corvette; and the grinding marks, as well as the spot weld appear to be consistent with the VIN plate in the photo that you provided. Perhaps you should start a separate thread entitled "'63 VIN Plate Question" to solicit more focused feedback on the topic. Best Regards,Rob Vanderhoeven

[John H.]

Re: strange engine pad

I have included a photo of the VIN plate and trim tag inside the car, could somebody please check that, too, are the weld marks suspicious?Thank you

Ruedi -

VIN plate looks fine to me - typical double-hit spot welds.

[Sydney G.]

Re: strange engine pad

Hi Ruedi,

Your trim tag Body number also lines up well with with your serial number.
It falls nicely in sequence with other cars I have recorded that were built close
to yours.

Syd

[Michael H.]

Re: strange engine pad

Hello once again,

I took a photo of my engine pad, just want to hear your opinions about it. It surely looks like a fake (1963, 327/300HP).


Rudy[ATTACH=CONFIG]51020[/ATTACH]

Ruedi

The stamp looks like a somewhat typical dealer replacement engine stamp. In the early/mid 60's, part of the procedure when a dealer mechanic replaced a partial engine was to transfer the stamp pad characters from the replaced engine to the new one.

Dealers/mechanics wouldn't have had gang stamps so the characters would have been transferred one by one with individual stamps.

[Marco H.]

Re: strange engine pad

Ruedi,
The clips you have listed should work. No rivets needed, where you are going to mount it on the heater box. I don't have a '63 AIM handy right now. It should be visible under UPC 12. (In the 65 AIM it is on sheet A9, item #22).
Marco

[Timothy B.]

Re: strange engine pad

Here is a picture of my 67 in this area, the "J" clip is attached to the lower heater box stud under one of the speed nuts.

[Brian K.]

Re: strange engine pad

that looks like a ransom note LOL!

[Ruedi K.]

Re: strange engine pad

Timothy, thank you for the picture. Now I can see it where I have to install it.

[Ruedi K.]

Re: strange engine pad

Ruedi

The stamp looks like a somewhat typical dealer replacement engine stamp. In the early/mid 60's, part of the procedure when a dealer mechanic replaced a partial engine was to transfer the stamp pad characters from the replaced engine to the new one.

Dealers/mechanics wouldn't have had gang stamps so the characters would have been transferred one by one with individual stamps.

Michael, the block I have now in the car reads 3782870 and has a cast date of A 44 (January 4, 1964). I also checked the cylinder heads and they are 3782461 with a 64 and dated C134 (M bolt) and the other one is dated D163 (U bolt). Seems like one cylinder head is from 63 and one from 64

Maybe the block was replaced under warranty and had a blank pad before and the dealer stamped it in that funny way. However, I cannot proof it, the previous owner is no longer alive.

Transmission was replaced too, so it's no matching car, anyway. But I can enjoy driving it as much as I can. Thanks to all who have replied.