Engine Date Code

[David A.]

I have an early 63 coupe (00063) What date code 327 340hp engine should I have??

[Don H.]

Re: Engine Date Code

Your car build date is roughly 9/18/62. Engine date stamp would likely be within a couple weeks preceding the build date.
Welcome to NCRS and the Technical Discussion Board.

[Michael J.]

Re: Engine Date Code

Don is correct, but there is a 6 month rule in judging, so 6 months before your car's build date is acceptable.

[Joe R.]

Re: Engine Date Code

Don is correct, but there is a 6 month rule in judging, so 6 months before your car's build date is acceptable.

Michael,

You are of course correct. But for a S/N 63 car, I don't think the six month rule works all that well. Maybe a two month rule would be better here.

Joe

[Dale M.]

Re: Engine Date Code

This brings up an interesting question, how far before the production year did they start making parts? I would assume they needed some lead time to start production, but it is likely shorter than 6 months.

Also, the rule is 6 months, but should this rules be revised for cars built early in the years production cycle?

I am always learning, thanks

[Michael J.]

Re: Engine Date Code

I think the 6 month rule is there so that judges don't have to make myriad guesses like that, since there are cases where "anything is possible" about parts. But I agree, "usually" an early MY car should have a closer date code on most everything.

[Michael W.]

Re: Engine Date Code

Michael,

You are of course correct. But for a S/N 63 car, I don't think the six month rule works all that well. Maybe a two month rule would be better here.

Joe

The same could be said for just about any instance where a new casting number component was introduced. Not unique to '63 or just engine cases and casting dates.

There's no real need for such a restriction as the engine case casting date is judged before the assembly date. If it's 2, 3 (or 6) months before the car assembly date, it means that GM did manufacture the parts that far ahead for what ever reason. If the engine assembly date is after the casting date but before the car assembly date, who are we to say it could not have happened?

[Joe R.]

Re: Engine Date Code

The same could be said for just about any instance where a new casting number component was introduced. Not unique to '63 or just engine cases and casting dates.

There's no real need for such a restriction as the engine case casting date is judged before the assembly date. If it's 2, 3 (or 6) months before the car assembly date, it means that GM did manufacture the parts that far ahead for what ever reason. If the engine assembly date is after the casting date but before the car assembly date, who are we to say it could not have happened?

Hi Michael,

I agree with you. When I said two month rule, I overstated my case a little bit. I never exaggerate! Anyhow, I was just stating what I feel is more likely from a production standpoint. But on the judging field, the six month rule would still apply.

Joe

[Mike E.]

Re: Engine Date Code

Since the casting number (3782870) remained the same between 62and 63, and the suffixes remained identical, (RC, RD, RE, and RF) why would it be illogical to expect a carry-over between the two? They certainly would not have purged the engine storage area at either Flint or St. Louis between model years.

[Bob R.]

Re: Engine Date Code

The engines were very similar but there were differences, carburetor, exhaust manifolds, PCV, ignition shielding. They must have had some system of switching over to the new model year.

[Sydney G.]

Re: Engine Date Code

Hi David,
My coupe is a 300hp #15,240.
From the research I've done and by comparing it's engine numbers with about 5-7 other cars built around it I believe that my engine is original to my car.
My coupe was built May 15th. The engine casting number is May 6 and what remains of the stamp pad shows May 8th.
With your '63 being a 340hp and also being very early in production there might be a greater lapse between engine date code and car build but I hope my example gives you an idea.

1963 #63! Pretty cool. I like to record them so what are it's original colors if you don't mind?
Syd

[David A.]

Re: Engine Date Code

Ermine White with Black Interior

[Michael W.]

Re: Engine Date Code

The engines were very similar but there were differences, carburetor, exhaust manifolds, PCV, ignition shielding. They must have had some system of switching over to the new model year.

That's the purpose of the engine code on the stamp pad.

[Bob R.]

Re: Engine Date Code

Michael
The engine codes for 62 and 63 were the same

[Michael W.]

Re: Engine Date Code

Michael
The engine codes for 62 and 63 were the same

Were there differences in the 'bare' engines as shipped from Flint?