Small Block 67 Numbers - Is this possible?

[Jim W.]

Are these numbers possible on a 67 - L79 ?

Block Casting Date - K156 = November 15, 1966

Engine Code - VII17HT = November 17, 1966

VIN 104507 - Approximate Build Date = November 23, 1966

Saint Louis Body S2459 with a body build code = D23 Nov 23

I don't know how soon after a block was cast would it realistically be assembled. So the main question is "could a block be cast on the 15th and assemble the engine on the 17th? Does anyone know if this series of numbers makes sense? Appreciate any thoughts.

Jim

[Joe L.]

Re: Small Block 67 Numbers - Is this possible?

Are these numbers possible on a 67 - L79 ?

Block Casting Date - K156 = November 15, 1966

Engine Code - VII17HT = November 17, 1966

VIN 104507 - Approximate Build Date = November 23, 1966

Saint Louis Body S2459 with a body build code = D23 Nov 23

I don't know how soon after a block was cast would it realistically be assembled. So the main question is "could a block be cast on the 15th and assemble the engine on the 17th? Does anyone know if this series of numbers makes sense? Appreciate any thoughts.

Jim

Jim-----


It's a little tight on the time span between the engine assembly and the build of the car. Nevertheless, it's a very possible scenario.

The time lapse between the casting of the block and machining/assembly is very possible, too. Blocks and heads were cast at Saginaw, MI and shipped to Flint, MI for machining/assembly into finished engines. There was a more-or-less constant flow of castings from Saginaw to Flint via truck.

The finished engines were loaded relative quickly onto rail cars and shipped to the assembly plants. Rail transit time was probably not more than a few days between Flint and St. Louis. At the assembly plants the engines could be put into the engine bays and languish there for awhile or be used almost immediately. In your case, I'd say the engine got quickly to the assembly line at St. Louis.

In the case of my original owner 1969, the original 300/350 engine block was cast in Saginaw on August 12, 1969, the heads were cast on August 11 and August 13, 1969, and the engine was machined/assembled in Flint on August 14, 1969. So, time-wise, its genesis was about the same as yours. My engine was not installed in the car until mid-September, 1969, so it probably "languished" in the engine bay at St. Louis for a few weeks before it got pulled out to go on the line.