'59 tires and engine stamp

[Michael M.]

First time to the discussion board. I've been a member for 6 or 7 years and am finally getting serious about my frame off restoration ( a little more money to spend). The chassis is in the process and will need to kick some tires under it very soon. I know they're 670 x 15 and the white wall size is 2 9/16". Sent for the judging manual yesterday to see if it goes any more in depth. Manufacturer important? is 2 and 1/4, 3/8, 1/2" acceptable on the white wall? Have someone offering me Silvertown tires (4) for a "good price". Would still need to buy a fifth for the spare. Also been told to avoid Coker.

Need to send the engine out shortly. Before I do so I've been scrutinizing the pad.........no brocade marks. I would seriously doubt this pad has been tampered with. I've been told to look for circular machining marks and there are none. With a magnifying glass I see a couple of small dashed marks just above and below the stamp F316DG. stamping date and cast date agree within 2 weeks.

Looking for some input. Thanks,

Mike Meyer

[Jack H.]

Re: '59 tires and engine stamp

When you get your judging guide, it will go into detail on the known tire manufactures who supplied the St. Louis Corvette factory. It should tell you not only the mfgr's names but the model details of the tires they supplied, how their side walls were detailed, Etc....

On the engine stamp pad, NOT having circular swirl marks is what you're after! That's a sign of prior engine rebuilders having resurfaced the 'deck' of the engine block.

The factory originally used a broach machine to 'shave' metal from the raw casting off the top and bottom sides of the engine cylinder case to bring it to its final dimensions. Think of the broach machine as a HUGE 'shaver' with MANY discrete cutting blades, each taking a 'bite' into the block's metal to sucessively remove material and bring the block to its final dimensions.

There are pictures in the archives... Bottom line, IF the blades were fresh/sharp they left very little in the way of telltale marks on the stamp pad surface. As the blades wore with use, the marks (parallel 'scratches' from the front to the rear of the stamp pad) grew deeper and more distinct.

With as many years of sitting exposed to the air as your engine has on it now, they may be covered by normal surface oxidation. The big picture is you want the machinest NOT to touch the stamp pad and simply clean it with something non-destructive like a toothbrush and a chemical rust removal agent...

[Mike E.]

Re: '59 tires and engine stamp

Not sure who's telling you to avoid Coker--I've had several good experiences with them using their Silvertowns, both white and blackwalls (for 62's).

[Bernard M.]

Re: '59 tires and engine stamp

Manufacturer important? is 2 and 1/4, 3/8, 1/2" acceptable on the white wall? Have someone offering me Silvertown tires (4) for a "good price". Would still need to buy a fifth for the spare. Mike Meyer

Michael,

Descriptions of the factory supplied tires is in the Judging Guide. However, tires are among the items which have standard deduction guidelines. Those guidelines are published in the Judging Reference Manual. They are 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 75 and 100 percent depending on a combination of factors including matching tires, DOT markings, construction, size, branding, and whitewall width.

Bernie Myers

[Dennis A.]

Re: '59 tires and engine stamp

My coker tires are holding up will...For a good driver, get Radial tires,