Pre Feb 59 engine wanted
Thanks to input from several very helpful members, I have learned that in order to make my wife's otherwise restored 59 vette "date correct" that I will need an engine and trans with build dates (or is it castings #'s?) appropriately prior to Feb 12 1959 - the estimated car build date. Any suggestions on the best way of locating what I'm looking for? Thanks again for all the help.
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Last edited by Mike Z.; January 29, 2010, 03:05 PM. -
Re: Pre Feb 59 engine wanted
Mike,
Dennis Tracy at Tracy Performance Enterprises in Roseville Michigan specializes in Corvette parts with more blocks and heads than just about anyone in the whole USA. I have seen links to his website posted on the TDB from time to time, but his address is:
29069 Calahan
Roseville, MI
Phone numbers out of local phone book are:
586-772-0000
586-772-8810
586-772-8811
He most likely will have a block that works for you.
Lynn -
Re: Pre Feb 59 engine wanted
Thank You Lynn,
I will contact Dennis. While I live in southern California and it's easy to think that this must be the haven for Corvette's and all their parts, I'm starting to find out the the "correct" pieces may be spread over the country. Oh well, it keeps thing interesting. Thanks again for the input.
MikeComment
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Re: Pre Feb 59 engine wanted
Sure thing Mike!! You can tell him I sent you (not that it matters). He has literally thousands of Corvette blocks, and I have personally spent days looking through them. He has most of the information on what he has on the computer, but sometimes things slip through the cracks. If you find something and want or need an unbiased evaluation of the part, send me a PM or email and I will go by and check it out for you. He is usually very up front about what you would be getting.
Good Luck,
LynnComment
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Re: Pre Feb 59 engine wanted
Mike, in addition to looking in The Driveline also check Hemmings (www.hemmings.com) under Corvette Parts. There are a couple of dealers in WI. who have blocks and heads.
SteveComment
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Re: Pre Feb 59 engine wanted
Thank you Lynn and Steve. I'm not sure what The Driveline is (I will Google it) but am somewhat familiar with Hemmings - although trying to sort thru the Corvette parts for sale was tedious and (at least initially) unproductive. It seems amazing that someone would have thousands of Corvette blocks!? Then again, there must be more guys like me out there. I still have lot's to learn. Thanks again.Comment
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Re: Pre Feb 59 engine wanted
Mike, The Driveline is our NCRS publication that includes For Sale items. It is mailed to you as is The Restorer. Go to the top of this page and you will find Driveline Online in the long blue box. Select it and you can view the items for sale.
One of the advertisers in Hemmings is Engiines Limited, www.engineslimited.com, 9920-685-0288. Another is ??, 310-670-9575. I have not used these sources so cannot comment on them.
SteveComment
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Re: Pre Feb 59 engine wanted
Mike,
As Steven stated, this is the publication that comes out 6 times a year with your membership. You will find a link to the new one that just arrived at my house last week, in the second thread from the top (I think it is called a "sticky" thread so it stays there), as well as a link in the box at the top of the page. In addition to being able to search for the items you need, you are also allowed to place free ads to buy and sell parts yourself if you wish, as well as seek information or services. You may also put in a "parts wanted" ad for the block you are looking for, by using the link to "submit Driveline ad" at the top of the page in the blue box. Very good chance of finding the block you need, much cheaper than you would get it from Dennis Tracy. You will find this one of the GREAT benefits that comes with your membership.
LynnComment
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Re: Pre Feb 59 engine wanted
Here's an engine for sale in my neighborhood on the NYC area craig's list to which I am not related in any way..........
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Re: Pre Feb 59 engine wanted
Thanks for the link John. For all I know, that engine might be a screaming deal. Then again, I don't have any way of checking it out. Even so, it helps with my learning curve.
MikeComment
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Re: Pre Feb 59 engine wanted
OK - I was able to find the Driveline Online tab and have now entered an "engine/trans" wanted ad to the submit Drivline Ad tab. The Driveline Online is quite a download but I'll see if I can sort through it. While I'm now aware of Dennis Tracy and Engine's Unlimited, does anyone have experience with potential engine/trans suppiers/restorers in the southern California area? There is a place called Crane's Corvette's in San Diego that seems to have a little of everything - it's kind of a crazy web site. Thanks again to each of you for your very gracious efforts to help.
MikeComment
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Re: Pre Feb 59 engine wanted
Mike,
David Crane's web site is a little interesting but he does have have good stuff. He can be a little pricey but my experience with him is good. I ordered a BB 3:70 posi rear end in 2000 for $900 and it bolted in with no problems. In 2008 I got a correct march 1962 dated 340 hp AFB and it is still working with out any problems ($750). At the same time I got a correct 1962 340hp alum intake manifold for $700. The manifold was in 1st class condition. I belive he has blocks and transmissions and I think he does restamps (wash my mouth out with soap).
JeffComment
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Re: Pre Feb 59 engine wanted
Thanks John and Jeff. John, I certainly don't want to put you to any trouble but I certainly won't try to disuade you from calling the guy with the vette block to see if it's worth pursuing. I'm really out of my league on this one. Jeff, thanks for your input on Crane's. Yes, the web site is sort of all over the place but it's nice to know his goods are decent. Can any of you guys help me with this whole "restamping" issue? I'm assuming that there is now a way to restamp parts but why exactly would someone do that if the date was already part of the exterior casting? If the block needed to be resurfaced and that removed the stamp, wouldn't that information need to be restamped? If so, is that what creates the controversy - since, at that point, I suppose any # sequence could be substituted for the original. Even so, if the date was already "correct" what is the advantage or disadvantage of "restamping"? Sorry - I'm sure this is something very basic to those "in the know." Unfortunately, I'm just confused. Thanks again guys,
MikeComment
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Re: Pre Feb 59 engine wanted
I have a 59, build date March 26th 1959, and am in the process of trying to build a "relatively" correct 283. Right now a 64 passenger 283 sits in the car. The car won't be shown ( too much of my mods in the car), but I do want to get a Corvette power plant in it. What I have learned over the last year is: if you are going to do this yourself, then an education in the correct parts is absolutely mandatory. Get the AIM, Noland Ryans Book, the NCRS manual and The Corvette Restoration Manual, FIND GUYS WHO ARE HONEST AND KNOW THEIR CARS. This site is a great start. Ask, ask and ask again if you have any questions. Clarify everything.
If you are not going to do it yourself, and you've got the money to let someone do it for you, again ask and find honest, knowledge people, they are here and outside. This will save you a lot of money, grief and aggrivation.
It's a fun scavenger hunt but you have got to know what you are doing.Comment
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