Help with numbers
I have just purchased a 1964 coupe 327 365 hp 4 speed car. Vin # 40837S108191. I plan on restoring this car into a nice driver/local show car. When I started looking @ the numbers to see if the motor and drive train were matching is where i became a little confused and this is where my question is. The block casting is 3782870. The casting date looks like C274. which i think is march 27th 64. The engine vin # & stamp are 4108191 F0207RE. which i think is Feb 7th. am I decoding these #'s correctly or have I missed something? doesnt seem possiable from what i have read that the engine stamp could be before the casting date? Have been told by "local" engine shop that it is possiable but, could also be a restamped block?....so now I am not sure! THANKS.
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Re: Help with numbers
Hmmmm...things do seem out of sorts here.
The 8191 serial number suggests the car was built in early January, 1964 (~1/03/1964).
The casting date does decode to March 27, 1964
The engine stamp does decode to Feb 7th.
Nothing seems to be in the right sequence. Are you sure you got the numbers right? Pictures?
Check to see (and post) what is stamped into the transmission main case flange when you get a chance. FWIW, original transmissions seemed to consistently outlast the original engines. Trim and VIN plate too while you are at it. -
Re: Help with numbers
I will try and post some pictures soon. Thanks. I purchased the car already knowing the Transmission was not the original so I don't think that will help. Was told REPEATEDLY it was the correct engine though. I have done body work on cars all my life but, I am a novice (as shown by letting this happing to me) with decoding numbers on cars! I purchased this car to just have a nice driver and always wanted a 64-67 coupe...& I guess that mite just be what i will always have if none of my numbers match!Comment
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Re: Help with numbers
I read that someplace as well but on other corvette web sites it says RE is a 64 327/365 hp with high lift camshaft, special high performance! looks more and more like I should just make it pretty and enjoy cruising in it! thanks for your reply I'm sure most of you guys know more about corvettes than I ever will...and that's why i'm here.Comment
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Re: Help with numbers
In 62 and 63 RE was for 340 hp however in 64 the engine hp (along with some changes to the engine) were changed to 365 hp. RR RT and RU were also used in 64 for 365 hp. How about posting some photos of the stamp pad and the casting date on this site. These stamps can be difficult to read and there are some very knowledgable people here to decipher the numbers.Comment
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Re: Help with numbers
My very old, The Genuine Corvette Black Book 1953-1985,indicates that the RE coded blocks were used in 1962, 1963 and 1964. In 1962 and 1963 the RE blocks were listed as 340 HP, Manual; while in 1964 the RE block is listed as 365 HP, Manual. Enjoy your new car!
RobRob
SPEAK YOUR MIND, but ride a fast horse. -- AnonymousComment
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Re: Help with numbers
Thanks guys for the help so far....I will get some pictures of the numbers and tags and figure how to post them tomorrow. And I am enjoying the car every time I walk into the garage just to look @ it!Comment
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Re: Help with numbers
Got some pictures today. Hope you guys can help. My guess from what I have read & what i see is that you are going to tell me is that it is not the correct engine. Thanks for the help and HOPE i 'm wrong!64 corvette 015.jpg64 corvette 014.jpg64 corvette 017.jpg64 corvette 018.jpgComment
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Re: Help with numbers
could only put 4 pictures per reply. didnt know if you needed this one64 corvette 023.jpgComment
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Re: Help with numbers
pad is definitly a re-stamp. if you got written statement that the block was original to the car, then a lawyer is your next move. enjoy the old coupe. mikeComment
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Re: Help with numbers
Hi Eric--
I bet the "engine pad wizards" are going to suggest that you remove the paint from the pad so that they can see the broach marks. Additionally, at the current angle the photo was taken, it is hard to really see the stampings, and to determine if they are aligned correctly. The remaining photos that you took are pretty clear, and should be helpful in determioning what you have. Nonetheless, I am sure your car is very nice; and as you stated, you enjoy the car every time you walk into the garage just to look at it! (I am the same way with my car).
RobRob
SPEAK YOUR MIND, but ride a fast horse. -- AnonymousComment
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Re: Help with numbers
Eric,
I'm not a pad stamp expert but I can say that doesn't look like any factory stamp I've ever seen. From the factory they were stamped with numbers arranged in a gang-holder so they would be aligned. Fonts look wrong too, Engine date/code stamp is usually much bigger than VIN stamp, etc.
Lots of REALLY GREAT corvettes don't have their original engines/trans/etc....whether their current owners know and/or admit it or not....HA!!!. It sounds like you got a Corvette that fit your intentions and desires so it's all good. ENJOY!!!
-JackComment
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Re: Help with numbers
BTW, in case you have not referenced it yet, according to your trim tag:
- E2 means the body was built on Jan 2, 1964 which is consistent with your serial number birthday calculation approximation
- 837 means it is a Coupe (Convertible is 867)
- STD means it has Black Vinyl interior
- 3415 means it was the 3415th Coupe built for that year
- 940AA means it was Satin SilverComment
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