59 block

[Bob R.]

A friend of mine is looking at a 59 my knowledge is primarily on C2's so I thought I would post a picture of the engine pad and see what opinions are of it.

[Patrick B.]

Re: 59 block

Certainly not stamped at Flint

[Wayne L.]

Re: 59 block

Bob-
I agree with Patrick. The characters seem to be spaced too far apart.
Wayne

[Jimmy G.]

Re: 59 block

Not a chance

[Joe L.]

Re: 59 block

All------


Not so fast, guys. I believe some of these early engines were stamped with single character stamping dies and could appear just like the one pictured here. The "DG" suffix code was first used for 1958 Corvettes for 230 HP with Powerglide and continued through 1961. Since I see no VIN derivative stamped on the pad, this would have to be a very early and most likely a 1958.

[Patrick B.]

Re: 59 block

57, 58 and 59 blocks were stamped on the left side of the pad, not on the right side like this one, and Corvette engines in these years had no VIN derivative. I have never seen a Flint engine in which all the characters were individually hand stamped except for very poor restamps. Also these stamps are better aligned than the factory would have taken time to do as individual stamps. I think it was stamped by someone who didn't know that pre-1960 engines were stamped on the opposite side of the pad from the more familiar 1960 and newer blocks.

[James G.]

Re: 59 block

57, 58 and 59 blocks were stamped on the left side of the pad, not on the right side like this one, and Corvette engines in these years had no VIN derivative. I have never seen a Flint engine in which all the characters were individually hand stamped except for very poor restamps. Also these stamps are better aligned than the factory would have taken time to do as individual stamps. I think it was stamped by someone who didn't know that pre-1960 engines were stamped on the opposite side of the pad from the more familiar 1960 and newer blocks.

I agree Patrick. Note the ''sideway'' grinder marks from the machine shop. I have two 59 original engine pad photos I took myself from original cars. They both are left side stamps from the factory.

ALSO......What is the casting number.......and casting date of the engine block?

[Wayne L.]

Re: 59 block

I've heard we are not supposed to say this, but for Flight Judging, we could say that this stamping is "not typical"...................

[David L.]

Re: 59 block

What is the casting date on the back of the block?

The block was probably rebuilt (very common) and the rebuilder probably re-stamped the original stamping.

[Bob R.]

Re: 59 block

The engine is in a 59 with a powerglide transmission so the casting date and number are not accessible without taking a few things apart.