56 engine #'s

[Jeff D.]

Should the VIN be stamped on the front RT pad of a 56 engine? I'm not sure what year they started stamping VIN's on the engine block. I'm looking at a 56 to buy here local and all the numbers seem correct but it does not have a VIN on the block. Should it have? Thanks!

[Bruce B.]

Re: 56 engine #'s

Don,
Corvette Essentials, one of my favorite reference books states that "other then the FxxxGR (Flint date, engine type) stamp on the front pad there is also a serial number that does NOT relate to the vehicle serial number (VIN)".
Bruce B.

[Brian W.]

Re: 56 engine #'s

No vin on the block in 56.

[John H.]

Re: 56 engine #'s

No VIN derivative stamped on the pad until mid-'60.

[Jack H.]

Re: 56 engine #'s

If memory serves, the VIN derivative process started on Corvette in the 1960 model year somewhere in the March time frame. Prior to that, engines simply bore the engine factory suffix code to identify generically what application(s) they served....

[Garry B.]

Re: 56 engine #'s

Jeff,
Here is an original '56 stamp pad for a dual quad, PG. As already mentioned, no VIN number, just production numbers. One important note. The '56 had four actual stamp strikes. The first was a gang holding the first five numbers. The second and third strikes were individual numbers (note how these don't line up to each orther or with the other numbers and letters). The fourth and final stamp was once again the last five letters/numbers in a gang holder starting with the F56**. Good luck with your new purchase.
Garry #18531

[Loren L.]

Re: 56 engine #'s

Don,
Corvette Essentials, one of my favorite reference books states that "other then the FxxxGR (Flint date, engine type) stamp on the front pad there is also a serial number that does NOT relate to the vehicle serial number (VIN)".
Bruce B.

Take this book out in the back yard and burn it before it costs you more $$$$.

[Bernard M.]

Re: 56 engine #'s

There is no direct relationship between the VIN and the number stamped on the cylinder case pad other than the numbers on the cylinder case and VIN both ascend over time. You should check the casting date on the cylinder case and compare it to the theoretical assembly date of the vehicle to ensure it was cast before the car was made. Vette Vues published the 1956 portion of Research Project 56-57 by the late Michael Hunt in May 1996 that shows the correlation between 1956 VIN and engine numbers of more than 100 cars, with some casting dates. I can get you that survey information if you're interested.