1958 Corvette suffix code
I recently bought a 1958 corvette. I was checking all the numbers on it and everything is dated and numbered correctly for the car. My question though is on the pad, the suffix code is F1211D. It is missing the final letter? Did this ever happen? The block casting is correct and like i said everything matches otherwise on the car but the suffix code is confusing me. Thanks for any help you can provide to me.
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Re: 1958 Corvette suffix code
David-----
It's very possible that the final character was left off in the stamping. Those sort of mistakes did occur.
However, it so happens that there was a "D" suffix code used for the 1958 model year which applied to passenger cars with 2 barrel carb 283 and Powerglide. So, conceivably, such an engine could have been at some point along the way "transplanted" into your car with appropriate change of manifold, carb, etc and still have acceptable dates for your car. I'm not saying that this is what happened, but it is a possibility. More likely, the engine is original to the car and represents a factory mistake in stamping.In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
Re: 1958 Corvette suffix code
A code of D usually means a 283, 170 hp engine, 2bbl PG, installed in a passenger car. It certainly is possible that the last digit was left off, but more likely a engine replacement sometime in its past.
Is your car an automatic?Comment
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Re: 1958 Corvette suffix code
yes it is an automatic, with 4bbl. thanksComment
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Re: 1958 Corvette suffix code
OK, how close to the estimated vehicle build date is the engine assembly date?Comment
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Re: 1958 Corvette suffix code
Vehicle build date approx May 58. Thanks againComment
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Re: 1958 Corvette suffix code
David-----
Assuming that the engine build date is December 11, 1957 and with the car's build date in May, 1958, you're talking about a 5 month period between engine build and car build. That's within NCRS guidelines for judging, but probably somewhat outside the date spread normally seen.
The block casting, GM #3737739, would be the same for either the passenger car or Corvette engines. However, the cylinder heads would have been different. Of course, the original Corvette cylinder heads could have been installed on a passenger car short block. What symbol do you have on the ends of the cylinder heads or, if you know it, what is the cylinder head casting number?In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: 1958 Corvette suffix code
Not trying to come down hard but I think your engine was replaced at some time with a very common passenger car 2-barrel engine. Sure its possible that the guy doing the stamping left the last letter off but I REALLY doupt it...I think the chances of it being a replacement engine is 99.9% versus a .01% that it was an accidental mis-stamp.Comment
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Re: 1958 Corvette suffix code
The casting number on the block is 3756519. On my research i see it being for a corvette and no where for a passenger car. Please advise on this and again thanks to all for your response on this questionComment
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Re: 1958 Corvette suffix code
The casting is 3756519. thanks againComment
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Re: 1958 Corvette suffix code
The Lime Book ( third edition) of engine codes shows the stamping "D" as 58 to 62 283 170hp 2B, PG, PA or 63to 64 283 190hp 2B, PG PA. The PA indicated passenger car applications. What is the cast date code? Does the block threaded plug above the water pump?Comment
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Re: 1958 Corvette suffix code
David,
I just checked and I have a block #3756519 cast date L108 (Dec 10, 1958) stamped F1211D. The dates interesting as they are 1 day apart which I think is impossible.
The heads are 3731539 both dated H2457, August 24 1957. The number 57 indicate passenger car heads as opposed to Corvettes which would just have a "7".
This engine was in a 57 Corvette but I consider it a passenger car engine.
Bruce B.Comment
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Re: 1958 Corvette suffix code
David----
Block casting #3756519 is generally considered a 1959 model year block. I would not rule out the possibility that it was used in late 1958, though. It was used for BOTH passenger cars and Corvettes for the 1959 model year and is, by no means, a Corvette-only block. As a matter of fact, there NEVER existed a Corvette-only block for ANY 55-82 Corvette engine.
You need to check the casting date again on that block. If it's actually December, 1958, then the engine is obviously not original to the car and is a 1959 passenger car engine someone installed in this car. The "D" suffix code was used for passenger cars for the 1959 model year.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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