1963 Corvette Block

[David J.]

I have a 1963 Corvette block with a casting number of 3782870 and a casting date of C1563, what build date C2 would this block fit into. Thanks.

[David K.]

Re: 1963 Corvette Block

With that cast date ending is "63" I would say it is a Towanda, N.Y. block and not a Flint block that would be correct for a small block Corvette. Flint block that would be dated at the same time as this block would look like this "C153". It also always appears to me, as if the Towanda casting has a little different surface texture to it than a Flint block.

[David J.]

Re: 1963 Corvette Block

Thanks, David, this is helpful. What I also need to know is when this block (engine) would likely end up in a car. In other words, with a March casting date for the block, what could the build dates of the car have been. I hope I am explaining that correctly. Thanks. Dave

[Harry S.]

Re: 1963 Corvette Block

David, depends on the month built if you really get picky. Saying that, Here is an example.

My 63 was built April 20th. The engine was built April 15th, the block was cast April 5th.

Good luck

Harry

[William C.]

Re: 1963 Corvette Block

Keep in mind what was said earlier, the block you referenced would not ever have been used in a '63 Corvette, regardless of date.

[Joe R.]

Re: 1963 Corvette Block

NCRS judging rules allow the block to be cast up to six months before the engine was assembled, but the typical interval was only a week or so. So, the answer to your question depends on whether you want to know what is typical or what is allowed under NCRS judging guidelines.

Small block Corvette engine blocks were cast at Saginaw and assembled at Flint. There would typically be a delay of a week or two before the assembled engine was installed in a Corvette at St. Louis.

Depending on what you are trying to figure out about this block, Harry's observation that this may be a Tonawanda block may be important. No Corvette small blocks were cast at Tonawanda, so a Tonawanda small block would not be original to any Corvette. This makes the question of casting date moot in terms of originality.

[Jack H.]

Re: 1963 Corvette Block

Oh, it's 'original' to a taxi cab, police car, passenger cars built in Atlanta, Etc....

[David J.]

Re: 1963 Corvette Block

Thanks, everyone. I am very appreciative and, of course, a bit disappointed.

[Joe R.]

Re: 1963 Corvette Block

Thanks, everyone. I am very appreciative and, of course, a bit disappointed.

Hi David:

While your reported casting date format appears to clinch the conclusion that you have a Tonawanda (non-Corvette) block, you should probably do some additional checking before you treat this as fact, especially if it is a surprise or a disappointment. We are just responding to what you have told us, since we have not seen a photo of the casting date.

I'm not sure about 1963 blocks, but for 1967 small blocks there was another difference up at the front of the engine. Flint blocks had the oil gallery plug circled in yellow in the attached photo, while Tonawanda blocks did not.

Maybe someone can comment on whether this was true for 1963 as well.

[John H.]

Re: 1963 Corvette Block

Maybe someone can comment on whether this was true for 1963 as well.

Yes, it was - Saginaw-cast/Flint-assembled small-blocks had the square-head 1/8" NPT plug in that location from 1955-up.

[Jack H.]

Re: 1963 Corvette Block

Know why Flint SB's had the hole up front that was plugged? I can't say for certain, but I've got a hunch...

My educated guess is the Flint engine plant was physically closer to GMC complex in Pontiac than Tonawanda was. Hence, Flint became the primary SB engine source to minimize freight-in costs...

Now, follow that logical extrapolation with the fact that coaches were exclusively 'cab forward' in nature, placing the instrument cluster directly above rather than behind the engine. So, you'd want a front side engine pick-up point for an oil pressure line to feed the oil gauge in a coach that wouldn't be needed in a conventional passenger car.

Hence, the 'smart' way for Flint to build engines would be to drill & tap the block for BOTH fore and aft oil pressure pickup points and simply plug the hole that was unused. But, hey, I was a MoPar brat and that's just a personal wild arse guess....