What is this casting date

[Edward M.]

This is a 519 block.

What do you think the date code is on this block.

So far we all agree of the I 18 part = September 18.

There is a question about the year indicator. Is it an '8' or a '9'?

Inquiring minds...

[Jim L.]

Re: What is this casting date

I vote "9".

[Harry S.]

Re: What is this casting date

This is a 519 block.

What do you think the date code is on this block.

So far we all agree of the I 18 part = September 18.

There is a question about the year indicator. Is it an '8' or a '9'?

Inquiring minds...

Ed, can you repost the picture with high resolution, lots of pixels. The one you posted does not zoom all that well. So far I'm at a 9.

[Richard S.]

Re: What is this casting date

2 votes "9"

[Jim D.]

Re: What is this casting date

Looks like a "9" to me.

[Jimmy G.]

Re: What is this casting date

9 is my vote

[Kenneth B.]

Re: What is this casting date

Its a 9 for sure. tail has a smaller curve than the 8. I made many date code tag for foundry patterns. Letters & #'S were silvet soldered on a steel tag with 2 countersunk flat head screw holes.

[Roy S.]

Re: What is this casting date

I'm a 9 just like most others..

[Jack M.]

Re: What is this casting date

Blown up, I see what appears to be a small casting flaw... I illustrated it for you via a quick animation:

[Mike B.]

Re: What is this casting date

My feeling is that it's a 9.

[Edward M.]

Re: What is this casting date

Jack, you rock. Thank you sir.

Many thanks to all that voiced an opinion. I also think it is a '9'.

This is the engine that was in an early 1959 Corvette (J59S1009xx) that was badly burned. It was sold a couple of times and went from the US to Norway, and then to Sweden. The owner in Sweden is doing a restoration, and really knocking it out of the park.

The question came up if this could possibly be the original engine. It is a CQ (base motor, manual trans) suffix code with an assembly date of 921 (F921CQ). The casting date of the block is I 18 ? (8 or 9).

If it is a Sep 1958 casting, it "could" possibly be the original engine for the car (vehicle assembly date of Nov 11, 1958).

Obviously, if it is a Sep 1959 casting, it cannot be the original engine. It turns out that at least one of the cylinder heads has a casting date of L 1 9 (all digits are clear), for Dec 1, 1959 casting.

So, the consensus is that this is a 1960 model year base motor, cast and assembled in late 1959.

[Jack M.]

Re: What is this casting date

Ed- Please remember... we are making judgement via a low resolution photo. If your original photo is being reduced by the TDB software, this could add to the problem. I'm seeing an area that 'appears' to be slightly different... it could easily be an optical illusion. Besides getting a better photo, have the owner FEEL to see if the area I noted is indeed present... perhaps even a slight difference in height.

[Edward M.]

Re: What is this casting date

Here is the original photo that the owner posted

[Jack M.]

Re: What is this casting date

Ed- I'll try to contact you via email... it seems the forum software may be reducing your image.

[Edward M.]

Re: What is this casting date

Jack, et all;

My email address is emccomas57@gmail.com