1957 block numbers

[Richard L.]

I'm considering the purchase--long distance unfortunately--of a '57 FI car and need help with the following engine numbers.
A) I know that the correct block casting number should be 3731548. According to the seller his car has a "correct replacement block casting number 3731540." What exactly does that mean, that it's a genuine and valuable 1957 over-the-counter block?
B) The front pad has the factory broach marks with F314G stamped in the pad--no restamp he claims. Again, what do those numbers mean, if anything? Can someone translate/descipher them for me?
Lastly, the car has a 3.70:1 rear. How hard is it to change to a more road-going friendly 3:36?
Thank you for your expert help.
Ric
I'm in CO, the car is in PA.

[Gary C.]

Re: 1957 block numbers

Richard,

A) 3731540 could be wrong, but don't recall a small block with that casting number
B) F314G could vary with year
C) what's cast date on block
D) what's the transmission
E) what's the VIN last 4 numbers

Photos of Cast Date on Block and Block Casting Number, etc. would be helpful.

Gary
....

[Jim L.]

Re: 1957 block numbers

All '57 V8 blocks were "548" blocks, even passenger car 265s. I suspect a typo in the reporting of the block being a "540" casting.

Altho I don't have a reference in front of me, "G" suffix in the build code is likely a passenger car, non-FI application.

Jim

[Richard L.]

Re: 1957 block numbers

Gary,
A) 3731540 is the number he gave me. I couldn't find any such number either.
B) F314G what does it signify regardless of year?
C) Cast date on block is C 16 7 (March 16, 1957--Flint?)
D) Borg-Warner 4-speed
E) VIN----3440
Hopefully I'll get some pics soon of these numbers.

[Gary C.]

Re: 1957 block numbers

Richard,
A) it's probably a 548 block and he's read it incorrectly
B) per your casting date; F = Flint, 316 is March 16th, G = Passenger Car 283 with Turboglide
C) F = Flint and singe digit 7 on cast date = Flint
D) too early of a VIN #3440 to have a 44 speed. 4 Speed wasn't available until April approximately VIN 3700 or there abouts

F) you need to get head cast numbers, dates, and symbols on end on heads
G) intake manifold and carb numbers

Suggest you have someone knowledgeable do a presale inspection for you. Frame needs to be checked for rust, etc.

Good luck with your pursuit.

Gary
....

[Jim L.]

Re: 1957 block numbers

Gary,
A) 3731540 is the number he gave me. I couldn't find any such number either.

In my opinion he's made a mistake. ALL '57 V8 blocks were "548" castings.

B) F314G what does it signify regardless of year?

I looked it up. "G" suffix is for a passenger car with Turboglide.

C) Cast date on block is C 16 7 (March 16, 1957--Flint?)

That doesn't make any sense. The 314 assembly date on the engine pad says the engine was built on March 14 yet the block didn't even exist until March 16, according to the casting date.

Jim

[Gary C.]

Re: 1957 block numbers

good catch Jim!

[Richard L.]

Re: 1957 block numbers

Jim,
Cast date is C (March) 16 (day) 7 (1957)
Pad stamp is F (Flint), 3 (March) 14 (day) G (Passenger car Turboglide)

You and Gary are right on. Someone DID RESTAMP the wrong date code on this engine pad. Someone who obviously paid no attention to the casting date. What a blunder!

[Joe L.]

Re: 1957 block numbers

Gary,
A) 3731540 is the number he gave me. I couldn't find any such number either.
B) F314G what does it signify regardless of year?
C) Cast date on block is C 16 7 (March 16, 1957--Flint?)
D) Borg-Warner 4-speed
E) VIN----3440
Hopefully I'll get some pics soon of these numbers.

Gary------


It could not possibly be a 3731540 as no such block casting number ever existed.

[Mike E.]

Re: 1957 block numbers

Jim,
Cast date is C (March) 16 (day) 7 (1957)
Pad stamp is F (Flint), 3 (March) 14 (day) G (Passenger car Turboglide)

You and Gary are right on. Someone DID RESTAMP the wrong date code on this engine pad. Someone who obviously paid no attention to the casting date. What a blunder!

[Edward M.]

Re: 1957 block numbers

Pictures will tell the story.

My guess is that he is incorrectly reading 3731548 as 3731540.

The casting date vs assembly date is going to be interesting. Assuming the engine is installed in the car, it is very hard to see the engine casting date.

If I had to guess, I would say the casting date is probably C 10 7, and not C 16 7.