C1 Block Numbers by roaddraft tube

[Susan Osborne]

Hi, I finally have the right numbers I hope, Thanks so much for the pictures of the road draft tube, I found 58I1 or 5811. So this should be the correct block for the car? this makes the gm # 3756519 and the F922CT tie all together. So hopefully the transmission which is a powerglide is what is incorrect on the car. Thanks for helping solve the mystery. Susan

[Joe L.]

Re: C1 Block Numbers by roaddraft tube

Susan------

I would not expect a casting date sequence of "5811 or, even, "58I1". The first character should be an alpha character (i.e. "A", "B", "C", etc.).

It's often VERY, VERY hard to discern these characters on a casting and distinguish one from another. In any event, if the last digit is clearly a "1", then that would represent 1961. The "CT" suffix code was used for Corvettes from 1958 through 1961.

[Richard M.]

Re: C1 Block Numbers by roaddraft tube

Susan, I think I confused you on the earlier post. I made a mistake when I said "left" of the disrtibutor. I should have said "right" of the distributor, and right of the road draft tube hole with that wire fallen into it in Rob's photo. It's on the down sloping flat of the block close to the bell housing-to-block mating surface, apx 2" to 3" to the right of the top center bellhousing bolt. All references as if you were standing behind the engine.

That 58xx # is some other number, not sure what it is, but I see a similar# on my left side of the block which is where I think you were.

I just took a few pics of my 519 block and the casting# J200(Oct20,1960) I was on the passenger side of the car. I put a mirror there so you'll see the reverse image of the cast#. It's pretty busy around there as all shielding, road draft tube, wiring etc is there.


Rich
ps sorry for the earlier confusion and mistake....

[Verle R.]

Re: C1 Block Numbers by roaddraft tube

Susan,

I have been following your quest for information and have a thought.
Invite a couple of NCRS members who live close to you to come look at the car. They can find the appropriate information and show you things about the car. It will be helpful to you and interesting for them.

Verle

[Susan Osborne]

Re: C1 Block Numbers this is it

Ok I read the numbers backwards, they are as follows I189, while looking at the car the tach is redlined from 5000 to about 5500. So hopefully this solves the mystery. If I'm wrong on this one, I apologize for all the time spent on it. You have all been very helpful and I thank you. Susan

[Joe L.]

Re: C1 Block Numbers this is it

Susan------

OK, that's better. The "I189" means that the engine block was cast on September 18, 1959. That works perfectly with your stamp pad engine code of F922CT. Your block was cast at Saginaw, MI on September 18, shipped to Flint, and machined/assembled there on September 22.

[Rob M.]

Re: C1 Block Numbers this is it

Sounds like we have a winner here!!!

[Richard M.]

Sept 59? Spec Guide Error????

Joe,
I'm confused. I thought August 1959 was the last month of 59 model year production. My spec guide says the last 59 was vin# 9670, in August. October 59 was the first month of 1960 production. So what's September??? There's no mention of September production for EITHER 59 OR 60. I never noticed this before. Is this a error in the spec guides? I'm looking at my summer 1989 15th anniversary member copy, and my pocket size copy.

Rich

[Wayne P.]

Re: C1 Block Numbers this is it

That would be for a 60 model car. I thought she had a 59 model?

[Richard M.]

Re: C1 Block Numbers this is it

Yes she always said it was a 59. I wonder what the vin# plate says. She never posted it. I'm still baffled about September production. Where is it documented that Sept is a 1960 car? Spec Guide doesn't list September 59 for anything at all?????
Rich

[William C.]

Re: Sept 59? Spec Guide Error????

New model changeovers in the late 50's early 60's used to be much more involved than today and took much longer to accomplish. Although the Corvette Changes were minor, I believe the union local was the same as the Pass car plant, which would have meant shutting down the entire complex would be easier than laying of a portion of the workforce (by seniority) and having to deal with the subsequent retraining for what would amount to a short amount of production.

[Rod K.]

Re: Sept 59? Spec Guide Error????

Just a random thought: Wouldn't late Sept engine production work for Oct car assy dates?

[Susan Osborne]

C1 All Numbers

Hi I'll post all the numbers on the car to see if it is any help.
The vin # J59S109405. On the front of the block, not the waterpump but in front the the passenger side in front of the head the alpha # F922CT. On the back of the block by the road draft tube is alpha number #I189 could be 1I89? The block stamp is GM # 4 3756519 Tach has redline 5000 rpm to 5500 rpm, the car has a powerglide transmission, The generator which has a gear drive on the back is mounted on the driverside it looks like a bracket on the back of the tach was mounted, has a plate with the gear dive, but I can see where the cable runs on the passengerside for the tach. The intake manifold has been replaced along with the carburator, and distributor. The car has two openings on either side of the radiator. There is also an indent on the driverside fender that looks like something at one point in time was mounted on that side, maybe duct work? The same is true for the passenger side but I know that is for the fresh air duct work. I hope this is all the information needed. Thanks for all your help, time and input, Susan

[Jack H.]

Re: C1 Block Numbers this is it

"Where is it documented that Sept is a 1960 car?"

GM's St. Louis Corvette production records... The last month of production for 1959 cars was August of 1959. The first month of production for 1960 cars was October of 1959.

Therefore an engine block cast in September of 1959 couldn't have gone into a '59 as they'd stopped building them by then!

[Jack H.]

Re: Sept 59? Spec Guide Error????

"Wouldn't late Sept engine production work for Oct car assy dates?"

Yep, it'd fit like a glove for an October built 1960 Corvette. Plus, with the NCRS 6-month rule on dating, you could stretch it up to a Feb '60 built 1960 Corvette. But, it does NOT work for a 1959 Corvette since the block was cast AFTER the 1959 model year ended production....