1959 Block Stamp ID question

[Gregory L.]

HI All,

my block stamp is F622CD....cast E149.

Anyone know what the CD means?

I cant find it in the NCRS book?

[Wayne L.]

Re: 1959 Block Stamp ID question

The old parts books show CD is the code for a passenger car 2-bbl carb 3-speed overdrive.

[Edward M.]

Re: 1959 Block Stamp ID question

HI All,

my block stamp is F622CD....cast E149.

Anyone know what the CD means?

I cant find it in the NCRS book?

CD = 1957 265ci 162hp, 2bbl, 3 speed OD in a passenger car
CD = 1958-1962 283ci 170hp, 2 bbl, 3 speed OD in a passenger car
CD = 1963 283ci 195hp, 2 bbl, 3 speed OD in a passenger car.

Your casting date of E149 makes this a 1959 vintage 283, 170hp version.

[Gregory L.]

Re: 1959 Block Stamp ID question

Thanks guys,

So I guess I cant use it for a corvette motor build....or can I ?

I know NCRS wil ding me over the wall....but the casting date 5/14/59 works with my 59 vette build date 6/29/59 and the casting number is correct.

Even the stamp date....even though it was for a pass car is within a week of my vette build date.

[Michael W.]

Re: 1959 Block Stamp ID question

Thanks guys,

So I guess I cant use it for a corvette motor build....or can I ?

Why not? You'll lose 25 points for an incorrect engine code.

[Gregory L.]

Re: 1959 Block Stamp ID question

OK....so its the same block that could just as easily been in a vette....it was just earmarked for a pass car.?

Is 25 points a big hit?

Im a newbie at this

[Nicholas L.]

Re: 1959 Block Stamp ID question

It would be about 0.5-0.6% of the final score.

[Wayne L.]

Re: 1959 Block Stamp ID question

I would use also. The broach marks should be fine, and yes, the only thing to deduct for is the code, 25 points. If you have the block re-stamped, you would probably lose more points.

[Michael H.]

Re: 1959 Block Stamp ID question

If the price is right use it I would, 25 points is minor you could lose that much with one item not working in OPS.

Mike

[Joe L.]

Re: 1959 Block Stamp ID question

OK....so its the same block that could just as easily been in a vette....it was just earmarked for a pass car.?

Is 25 points a big hit?

Im a newbie at this

Gregory------


The block, itself, can be used to build up whatever Corvette engine is correct for your car. It's the internals and induction system that differentiate most passenger car engines from Corvette. Theoretically, you can build up an engine identical to the one originally installed in your car (except for the engine suffix code, of course).

If it's a good, sound block, I'd use it. Finding a good, sound 283 block these days, especially one that has the right casting number and date code for a particular car, is nowhere near as easy as it once was.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1959 Block Stamp ID question

Greg, From reading and replying to your recent posts, you sound like a passionate owner, and quite concerned regarding authenticity. You have the signs of many of us here that want it "right". You even got correctly dated heads that no one will ever see except you. That's a clear sign of your passion. It sounds like you didn't know what engine you had , until now.

Since you're using it as a restoration engine, it depends on how accurate you want it to be. The cast date will never be seen as it's in a tough spot to see, and most people have no idea what a assembly stamp is, so it's not a big deal. Sure it'll work if it's mechanically sound. Yes you'll loose points if judged, but if you'll be okay with that, fine.

However, the beauty of a pre-1960(early) Corvette engine is that there were never vin sequence stamps on them, so a search for a original correctly dated and correctly assembly stamped engine with the correct engine build suffix is more prone to success. They ARE out there. It depends on what you want and what your budget entails.

IF you are going for everything, and after ALL of the restoration work to attain Typical factory production, you have to NOW ask yourself the question and what you might ask yourself after completion. Imagine it's all done using the "CD" block.......

"The car is all done, everything is a match, except the engine assembly stamp. Why didn't I get the right assembly suffix engine before all of this work?"

If my decision, I'd get the correct coded block. I restored a '59 about 5 years ago. It had a '57 283 block. I tried to convince my friend, the owner, to get a correct '351 dated assy stamped(250hp) block for it. He decided against, so I re-installed the re-freshened wrong 283.

6 months after the restoration was done, he called me and asked me to help him find a correct dated block! He eventually found one and bought it and is now doing the engine build all over again.

I'm not trying to direct you what to do, just trying to help you decide what to do.

Rich

[Dennis C.]

Re: 1959 Block Stamp ID question

Gregory,

In case you are considering using this block and having your car judged, I thought I would explain the process for you in a little more detail.

The judges will check the casting number and the configuration of the case. If these items match what is expected, you would receive full credit for casting number and case configuration. Following this, the judges will check the casting date of the engine block and if it falls within NCRS guidelines, you would receive full credit for this line item.

Next up would be the assembly stamping. On a pre-1960 car, without a VIN derivative stamping, you would receive a 50 point deduct for a block with an incorrect assembly stamp. This is a pre-determined deduct and must be scored as a full deduct, with no partial deduction possible.

To complete the engine block judging process, the stamp pad surface finish would be evaluated.

If you plan or are thinking about having your car judged, I would suggest you obtain a copy of the Corvette Judging Reference Manual from the NCRS store. The JRM outlines the entire judging process and contains guidelines that must be followed. For example, on page 29 of the 8th Edition of the JRM, Section 4, 1. C, the JRM indicates that a vehicle without a VIN stamping looses all 50 originality points if the engine assembly date suffix code is incorrect.

This does not preclude you from using the block, I only wanted you to understand the process. I hope this helps.

Regards,

Dennis

[Gregory L.]

Re: 1959 Block Stamp ID question

Hi Rich,

First, thank you for taking the time and the kind words.

I value your opinion for 2 reasons,....one....you know what the heck your talking about and... two.....your Italian.

You are correct about me & while I am new to building motors....I've always been passionate about vettes...and vette history & I am authenticity nut....its just my nature. So I already know... no matter how I kid myself..... I will never sleep well again until this motor is as close to perfect as I can make it.....I'm even collecting the old NOS GM parts boxes where I can... to display with it. I'm even debating on getting an old Sun Diagnostics tester to complete the diorama .. lol

You are also correct in that I didn't realize what I had until now. What bothers me most is that...Big City Corvettes ....where I bought it from.....advertised it as a vette motor....however...I really don't blame them...they are trying to sell product...I should have done better research and its my fault....lesson learned.

That said....and I may have mentioned this before...sorry if I repeat...I am not building this motor to go in my 59...necessarily.
Its going to be a show piece...an automotive sculpture for lack of a better term.....of course I want it period correct so that it could go in someday ... but thats not my goal.

Therefore it will be on display for all the critique... and I know me...I will point out everything..lol

I also plan on this being long term labor of love. So I think what I will do.....is continue to build the motor...with the CD block.....I will however keep searching for the correct 290 CS stamp code and eventually swap it out.

Thanks again....and please feel to nudge me when u see doing something stupid !

[Gregory L.]

Re: 1959 Block Stamp ID question

Thank you Dennis!

I am shiny new at this so all this information helps....right now Im a sponge

So your saying they deduct 50 points for a pre 1960 car even though they didn't have derivative stamping yet?

I just received my JRM yesterday so Im still combing through it....and finding my errors.


I was also able to find a copy of the Noland Adams book on eBay...and some other literature....That should be here next week.

[Michael W.]

Re: 1959 Block Stamp ID question

Thank you Dennis!

I am shiny new at this so all this information helps....right now Im a sponge

So your saying they deduct 50 points for a pre 1960 car even though they didn't have derivative stamping yet?

Dennis is correct- 50 points for an incorrect engine code on a stamp pad without a VIN derivative. My mistake. I was thinking of later cars.