Please decode this engine stamp number

[Darryl D.]

FI207FC

My memory is not what it once was. I think this is an engine that was installed in a 1957 model vehicle and decodes as a 1957 passenger car with 4 barrel (auto trans???)

[Jim D.]

Re: Please decode this engine stamp number

Depending on the casting date, it is either a 1955 265, powerglide, A/C, pass. car or a 1957 283,4 bbl., powerglide, passenger car.

[Darryl D.]

Re: Please decode this engine stamp number

Depending on the casting date, it is either a 1955 265, powerglide, A/C, pass. car or a 1957 283,4 bbl., powerglide, passenger car.

How can you say that with a stamped date of 12/7? It is an original stamped pad with the broaching marks.

[Gary C.]

Re: Please decode this engine stamp number

Darryl,

You need to post the Cast block number and date - that's what Jim Durham's referring to.

Photos are always best.

Gary
....

[Jim D.]

Re: Please decode this engine stamp number

How can you say that with a stamped date of 12/7? It is an original stamped pad with the broaching marks.

Look at the casting date on the block. Yours was assembled Dec. 7th. If the casting date is prior to that date in 1954, it's a 265. If it's prior to that date in 1956, it's a 283.

[Leif A.]

Re: Please decode this engine stamp number

How can you say that with a stamped date of 12/7? It is an original stamped pad with the broaching marks.

It could be either 12/07/1955 or 12/07/1957...need to see the casting number. It, also, could be a 1956 or 1958 block.

[Jim D.]

Re: Please decode this engine stamp number

It could be either 12/07/1955 or 12/07/1957...need to see the casting number. It, also, could be a 1956 or 1958 block.

Nope. You have the years wrong. That would mean that it was installed in a 56 or 58 model year. The assembly suffix shows it was installed in a 55 or 57 model year car.

[Leif A.]

Re: Please decode this engine stamp number

Nope. You have the years wrong. That would mean that it was installed in a 56 or 58 model year. The assembly suffix shows it was installed in a 55 or 57 model year car.

Jim,
You're correct...should have said 12/07/1954 or 12/07/1956. However, according to the Lime Book the "FC" suffix was used on model year '56 and '58, and as we have both asked, we need to see the casting date. Thanks for catching my error.

[Darryl D.]

Re: Please decode this engine stamp number

I can't see the casting date because the draft tube is in the way but the casting number is 3731548 which is a 283 engine no big X on the side of the block so not a 1958. I thought the stamped decode date was:
F=Flint
I2=Dec
07=7th day
FC= 1957 passenger car 283 4 barrel auto trans

[Gary C.]

Re: Please decode this engine stamp number

Daryl,

You can use a mirror and flash light to read the casting date with the draft tube installed. You could also loosen the draft tube bolt and move it around to for better number visibility.

What are the heads cast number that are on your engine?

Gary
....

[Darryl D.]

Re: Please decode this engine stamp number

Daryl,

You can use a mirror and flash light to read the casting date with the draft tube installed. You could also loosen the draft tube bolt and move it around to for better number visibility.

What are the heads cast number that are on your engine?

Gary
....

I believe the heads are from the original engine in the 57 and put on this engine because their date codes line up with the V.I.N. build date of the car. The heads are 3731539 dated A 9 7 & A 16 7 marked with the power pack pyramid on the front of the heads.

[Gary C.]

Re: Please decode this engine stamp number

Daryl,

Is the power pack head pyramid machined smooth or have a rough texture to it?

The date code is very important. It would benefit you to tell us what the date code is under the vent pipe.

Gary
....

[Darryl D.]

Re: Please decode this engine stamp number

OK, I got the draft tube moved far enough to see
the casting date but my 66 year old eyes could not read it. I cleaned it and
then took some plumber's putty on it to take an impression of it. So I will see
if I can figure out how to post a picture of this impression. It looks to me
like it is
L 8 6 and if they don't use "I" for Sept. due to confusion wit
1, then the date code is Nov. 8th 1956 which would be one month prior to the
stamped date of I207=Dec. 7th

[Darryl D.]

Re: Please decode this engine stamp number

Sorry about the picture being upside down I thought I had flipped it.

The head pyramids are a rough texture.

[Patrick B.]

Re: Please decode this engine stamp number

It looks like L 6 6 which would be DEC 6, 1956 because "I" was used for Sept. The F1207FC matches perfectly with the Dec 6 casting date for a 1957 model year engine.