1957 C1 crayon paint marks side of block

[Dan P.]

I have seen on original 57 blocks the ID code painted on the side of the block and some crayon marks . Were these done before or after painting. attatched is A picture of A original FD block. 1957 2X4 powerglide block.Notice the FD looks ganged stamped . I have seen numerous ofiginal stamped passenger blocks the 6 sixth character always looks ganged stamed. JM states 6 th character is hand stamped on corvettes.

http://danpatchappraisals.com/99710.jpg

http://danpatchappraisals.com/99711.jpg

[John H.]

Re: 1957 C1 crayon paint marks side of block

I have seen on original 57 blocks the ID code painted on the side of the block and some crayon marks . Were these done before or after painting.

Dan -

The suffix character(s) for each engine were marked on the side of the raw block while it was inverted in the bore air-gaging station, the first station on the engine assembly line (where the bore size grade marks were stamped on the pan rail). Those suffix markings showed everyone on the engine assembly line what innards to put in it, as the front pad wasn't visible with the block upside-down, and the pad wasn't stamped until much later after the heads went on. The marks were covered-up when the finished engine was painted.

[Steven B.]

Re: 1957 C1 crayon paint marks side of block

Dan, before rebuilding my '57 I saw a number of marks, "EH" designation, etc. on the block. I could tell plainly on most that the marks were under the red engine paint and upside down, confirming what John said. The "EH" appeared to be white paint, or a discolored yellow.

Steve