1960 Engine Identification

[Ray C.]

I just got back from looking at a 1960 with automatic transmission. The owner has owned this Corvette for over thirty years and was under the belief that the engine is original. I am a little confused after looking at the block engine pad. There are no vin numbers on the pad. The engine identification information is as follows: F213(or 0 hard to read)D and the block casting numbers are: 3737739. The heads have a single pyramid symbol on a rectangle. I did not secure the vin number for this car, but plan on looking at this car again next week.

What would be the latest recorded 60 Corvette not to have a vin number stamped on the engine pad?

Thanks for any help!

Ray

[Loren L.]

Assembly date stamped on pad? *NM*

[Jack H.]

Re: 1960 Engine Identification

If you're serious about buying a '60 Corvette in factory concours condition, maybe buying and reading the '58-60 Judging Guide would be helpful....

"In addition to the engine code stamping, a separate VIN derivative stampoing will appear adjacent to the engine identification code beginning about the middle of December '59 Corvette production (approximately VIN # 1800)."

[Ray C.]

Re: Assembly date stamped on pad?

I am confused! The only information that is on the engine pad is: F213(or 0)D no other stampings. I believe that if this block is correct for a 1960 Corvette it should be: F???DG or DJ for an auto car. I plan on taking better light and a good cleaning solution on the next visit. This is the first time that I have seen an early block with out a vin number. I have only done research on 61 up.

Thanks for any help!

Ray #36314

[Clem Z.]

Re: Assembly date stamped on pad?

looks like a single "D" is a 1958/64 283 pass car engine with P/G

[Tom Spurgeon]

Re: 1960 Engine Identification

Ray,
It's good to see a name I recognize. Mr. Jack Humphrey has some good advise. And, I'm sure you've looked into this, however, I though I'd share a couple of web sites that I've used during my search for parts, for my 1960 corvette project car. www.lpcinc.us/productioncodes.htm provides an overview of transmission type with engine code and www.mortec.com/castnum.htm has provided me a good overview of engine casting numbers. While the source of this information may be questionable, they and other web sites have given me an overview of some information while I await delivery of Corvette by the Numbers and other reference materials.
Best Wishes
Tom Spurgeon
corvettethomas67

[John H.]

Re: 1960 Engine Identification

Ray -

I don't have the '60 TM&JG, but the Spec Guide sez the 3737739 block was only used in 1958 and early 1959; mid-to-late 1959 through late 1961 used the 3756519 block.

[Joe Maulsby]

Re: 1960 Engine Identification

My 1960 was assembled during the first week of Dec. 1959 and the VIN # is stamped on the block pad. My car was 1651; so it started before car # 1800. I have a Powerglide in my car and the transmission code should end in DG.

[Loren L.]

Were the numbers stamped individually? *NM*

[Joe Maulsby]

Re: Were the numbers stamped individually?

The VIN #s were stamped individually, very deep, not neatly spaced or lined up. The engine code was stamped with crisp, thin numbers/letters that appeared to be stamped as a unit. The engine code digits/letters are taller than the VIN derivative. Hope this helps.

[Loren L.]

It also confirms that it is a factory stamp *NM*

[John M.]

Re: It also confirms that it is a factory stamp

Loren is correct, My early 60 pad looked like it was stamped by a drunk!

Regards, John McGraw

[Ray C.]

Re: Assembly date stamped on pad?

Thanks!! To all

Ray

[Tom B.]

Re: 1960 Engine Identification

I have a very late 1961 (3rd week of June) complete CU engine that I bought way back when nobody cared about numbers that does not have a serial number stamped with the build code. I'm also positive that it has never been apart. Could be that it just got missed or??

Tom

[Mike M.]

Re: 1960 Engine Identification

Tom: in all likelihood, its an over-the-counter block. mike