Early 1956 265 engine pad stamping

[Edward M.]

OK, I have run across a couple of 1956 engine pads that seem to contradict the 5 - 1 - 1 - 5 (or 4 for passenger cars) engine stamping sequence.

Please take a look that these two early 56 engine pads. Focus on the sequence number, not the engine suffix.

Both blocks are 991 castings. The "GR" block has a casting date of K 17 5; the "GB" block has a casting date of L 8 5.

Regarding the "GR" block, with sequence number "0027972", the sequence APPEARS to be:
- 3 digits stamped together - "002"
- 2 digits stamped together - "79"
- 1 digit stamped individually - "7'
- 1 digit stamped individually - "2"

If this is correct, the the stamping sequence for this engine would be 3-2-1-1 for the sequence number. Note that this is a Flint engine.

Regarding the "GB" block, with sequence number "0076892" the sequence APPEARS to be:
- 3 digits stamped together - "007"
- 1 digit stamped individually - "6"
- 2 digits stamped together - "89"
- 1 digit stamped individually - "2"

In this case, the stamping sequence for this engine would be 3-1-2-1 for the sequence number. Noth that this is a Tonowanda engine.

I also find it interesting that this situation seems to be true for early 56 engines only. After some time, the 5-1-1 engine sequence number stamping appears to be true.
I have a number of examples wiere this is the case. Possibly those engines that had two or more leading zeros in the seven digit engine code (early 56 engines) were like this.

Pay no attention to the suffix codes, as the GR is definitely an altered stamp (R added), and the GB may be an altered stamp (B added).

[John N.]

Re: Early 1956 265 engine pad stamping

I have a number of early 56 and at least one 55 Flint blocks and none have a stamp that looks like your Tonawanda pad.
Regards

[Edward M.]

Re: Early 1956 265 engine pad stamping

I have a number of early 56 and at least one 55 Flint blocks and none have a stamp that looks like your Tonawanda pad.
Regards

What about the Flint pad. Have you seen a noticible difference in the stamping order from the "expected" sequence of 5-1-1?

[John N.]

Re: Early 1956 265 engine pad stamping

Ed- I have not seen anything that stood out except the lack of oil plugs on two blocks. I will look at them tonight and report back, possibly with pictures.
Regards

[Mike M.]

Re: Early 1956 265 engine pad stamping

56 vin 1566's original pad is of the 5-1-1-5 sequence.cast date B-28-6. pad reads 0336693 F56GR. it was a one owner car before i acquired it. its nearing completion of its resto. god, i hate power tops. mike

[Patrick B.]

Re: Early 1956 265 engine pad stamping

Even though the first 7 in the Flint example is slightly high (perhaps a piece of type from a second source or just a quality glitch), it appears to have been struck in the 5-1-1-5 sequence. The Tonawanda example is not so clear. Maybe 4-1-1-1-5?

[John N.]

Re: Early 1956 265 engine pad stamping

Here are several 55-56 Flint two barrel passenger car pads.

Hinkley has a pad picture of a 56 Corvette motor that I sold. If he reads this maybe he will post it.

Regards