What kind of engine is this?

[Jonny B.]

Hi, i bought this Block and was hoping it fitted my 59 Corvette but i can not recognize the numbers.
Can anyone help?
Jonny

[Jim L.]

Re: What kind of engine is this?

A "739" block is generally correct for '58 Corvettes and passenger cars. The picture of the pad isn't clear enough to see the build date and assembly code.

Jim

[Terry D.]

Re: What kind of engine is this?

Are you going for numbers matching or period correct? Can you describe build date and assembly code if you can't get a better picture? But I'm curious why you would buy a block if you didn't know it is what you want?

[Jim D.]

Re: What kind of engine is this?

The stamp indicates it's a 1958 283, 160HP, manual trans. originally installed in a truck.

[Jonny B.]

Re: What kind of engine is this?

Hi! The number is F226M. My car is produced in april 59. Just bought the block unseen to have a spare block in reserve. My exsisting block doesnt have a stamp at all.

[Joe L.]

Re: What kind of engine is this?

Hi! The number is F226M. My car is produced in april 59. Just bought the block unseen to have a spare block in reserve. My exsisting block doesnt have a stamp at all.

Jonny-------


If the stamp pad on you engine has no stamping of any kind, then the block started life as a SERVICE bare block or partial engine ("short block").

[Patrick B.]

Re: What kind of engine is this?

Jonny-------


If the stamp pad on you engine has no stamping of any kind, then the block started life as a SERVICE bare block or partial engine ("short block").

Or it was decked.

[Dan A.]

Re: What kind of engine is this?

This is a 739 casting block which was used for the 1958 model year. Maybe some, very early '59s but that is not clear. Chevy didn't stamp blocks with the VIN derivative till around October of '59 on Corvette only 1960 model year blocks. But they were stamping them with build stamp from at least 1953. The original posters block has a build stamp of F226M which translates Flint February 26th 3700 series truck. The format of this stamp is typical of the period.

To answer the OPs original question regarding suitability of his 739 casting F226M stamped block in a 1959. Note your original question as written is awkward at best to understand precisely what it is you are asking. For practical purposes in terms of function, assuming it is in usable condition the 739 block is inter-changeable with the "519" 1959 thru 1961 model year block. The 739 has the front motor mounts on the side of the block required for your '59 and all engine parts are inter-changeable with the 519. In terms of restoration in the true sense of the word the 739 in a 1959 model year Corvette particularly one built in April of '59 is not suitable. For judging purposes the February '58 manufacture date of this engine and the April '59 build date of the car are well beyond the 6 month allowed. Which it self is generous. Such a car presented for judging would lose 350 points on the casting number line of the Mechanical section judging sheet and the casting date and stamp pad would not be judged but are encompassed in this deduction. The burden of proof would then fall on the owner to prove that the part in question is typical production at the time of the cars build in order to avoid the deduction.

Although the block in question appears to have originated in a truck, the 739 casting was used across all lines in 1958..

[Jonny B.]

Re: What kind of engine is this?

Thank you guys for all information, as always there are experts in NCRS Then i Guess i will keep my 739 Block With no stamps and try to sell the F226M Block. My 59 is finished until summer i hope Jonny (Norway)