1958 Engine Not In The Car

[Karl K.]

I have been looking at a 58 vette with a gound up restoration, it has a 283 in it but is not a Corvette engine. However he has another engine
that is supposed to be the original. When he bought the car the original engine came seperate and he does not know the condition of it ( it is apperently wrapped up). I am going to look at the engine this week and
am wondering what I should be looking for, dates or numbers for example? Maybe any external problems that were common to these engines?
He has owned the car for about 10 years. Also do the 58 vettes have a
birdcage the can rot out? Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

[Wayne P.]

Re: 1958 Engine Not In The Car

No particular external engine problems. Check cast number, cast date to build date of car, and suffix code. Should be a flint engine. No vin on this early a car.

[Mike E.]

Re: 1958 Engine Not In The Car

Not a typical birdcage to rot out--in fact, the entire windshield assembly bolts to the car and is readily removable. There is a metal substructure under the dash--check that behind the kickpanels at the floor level--you can get rust there from water pooling.

[Gary C.]

Re: 1958 Engine Not In The Car

Karl, on a Flint block there is a 1/4 inch square head plug on the passenger side right above the water pump area. Also, the cast date has a single digit year code. Tonawanda blocks have 2 digit year code and don't have the 1/4 inch square plug. Gary....

[Mike M.]

Re: 1958 Engine Not In The Car

presence of original factory broach marks would be very important. mike

[Garry B.]

Re: 1958 Engine Not In The Car

Karl, this is a picture of what Gary Chestnut suggested that you look for. It is one of the first indicators that it is a corvette, flint block.



Garry Barnes

[Mark P.]

Re: 1958 Engine Not In The Car

Karl - do you have the 58-60 JM ? That will be very helpful to know what casting numbers and dates to look for on the block, heads, manifolds, water pump, carburetor(s), etc.

Mark

[Garry B.]

Re: 1958 Engine Not In The Car

If you have a good digital camera, be sure to take lots of pictures of the engine and stamp pad. There are several of us on this board that you can depend on to help you sort it out, and pictures is the second best way of doing that without being there in person. With the engine out of the car you should be able to get everything you need to determine the origin and if it is correct and or original.
Garry
#18531

[Karl K.]

Re: 1958 Engine Not In The Car

No particular external engine problems. Check cast number, cast date to build date of car, and suffix code. Should be a flint engine. No vin on this early a car.

Where do I find the numbers, I am new to this?

Thanks,

Karl

[Karl K.]

Re: 1958 Engine Not In The Car

No particular external engine problems. Check cast number, cast date to build date of car, and suffix code. Should be a flint engine. No vin on this early a car.

Where do I find the numbers, I am new to this?

Thanks,

Karl

[Karl K.]

Re: 1958 Engine Not In The Car

I dont know what a 58-60 JM is, where could I get one?

Thanks,

Karl

[Richard M.]

Re: 1958 Engine Not In The Car

Hi Karl, It's the Judging Guide(JG), or Judging Manual(JM) as some of us call it. Go to the "NCRS Store" link at top of this page, then "C1 Library".

"1958-60 4th edition"

Block part# is in large cast digits left rear of engine.

Casting date is rear of block just behind and to the side of distributor mount hole. Will be a letter(A-L) followed by several digits. e.g. J207(Oct 20th, 1957).

Assembly stamp will be on the pass side front of block. A stamped group of characters to show the date and hp application for the engine. If yours is a 58 engine, there would not be a separately stamped vin# derivative(6 digits), stamped to the left of the assy stamp.

Rich

[Garry B.]

Re: 1958 Engine Not In The Car

Karl, where are you located? The reason I ask is possibly a good samaritan/NCRS member knowledgable of '58 could go with you and check the car out so that you don't get screwed. You really need to know what you are buying and it sounds like your learning curve versus the time you have to make a decision is not working in your favor. Let's see if we can locate someone to go with you to inspect the vehicle. Tell us where you are.
Garry

[Karl K.]

Re: 1958 Engine Not In The Car

Garry,

It would be great if someone could meet me. I'm going to look at the engine and car on Saturday, 12/6 around noon. I live in Springtown, PA - Bucks County. Close to Northampton and Lehigh Counties. Thanks for your help.

Karl

[Gary C.]

Re: 1958 Engine Not In The Car

Karl, recommend you join the closest NCRS Chapter to you. And contact them to see if someone could go with you. Chapters are listed on this web site under "Contacts". Not sure which is closest Chapter to you but have copied the Del-Val info for you below. Give Dick a call. Gary....
Delaware Valley Chapter - www.delvalncrs.com
Richard Robinson
1155 Goodman Dr
Fort Washington, Pennsylvania 19034-1752
215-646-4495
rrobinson33@verizon.net