1958 engine vs VIN date

[Thomas H.]

Looking at a 1958. Checking the VIN build date I come up with a date of 3/18/58. The engine date is 3/21 which is 3-4 days after VIN.

I understand that the engine date should precede the VIN by several days / weeks. My 60 VIN is 6/24 and the engine is 5/19 so that fits the "typical".

Should I just write it off that the engine in the car can not be the original or is there a possibility it is? Both VIN and engine stampings were double checked by two people so there is no "mistake" in what we saw.......

Tom

[Thomas H.]

Re: 1958 engine vs VIN date

Any thoughts??

[Richard M.]

Re: 1958 engine vs VIN date

Tom,

Yes it seems unlikely and draws suspicion but without more information it may be difficult to nail down. There are examples of being VERY close, but not later. The "engine date of 3/21".......is that the stamped assembly date, or the casting date? What is the engine assy stamp in it's entirety? Format of "Fmmddxx"

If you can get these and post here it'll help....

Vin# and picture of vin tag on hinge pillar
Picture of engine stamp, hi res detail
Casting date of block(and picture if possible)

What did you use to calculate the car birthday, the C1registry? There can be variations because it's a general assumption that it can be inaccurate. Maybe the calculator is wrong and off by several days. Another way is to compare the car vin# to engine date of other cars. Not in front of me but Noland's C1 book has some examples in the 58-60 supplement at the end of that section.

Rich

[Thomas H.]

Re: 1958 engine vs VIN date

Hi Rich,

The numbers on the engine are F321DJ (the "1" is a Roman I)

The serial number ends in 05330

I could not see the casting date due to the down draft tube

I used both the C1 registry and the 58-60 Technical guide / judging manual and both estimate the VIN at 3/18/58

I took pictures, or so I thought................. no memory card in the camera.

I asked the owner to take some pics fo me. Should have them today.

Tom

PS: Price was too good to turn down so I bought the car regardless..........

[Richard M.]

Re: 1958 engine vs VIN date

Ahhh, the PG 245hp on CF? Congrats!

Yes the numbers don't jive but maybe something unusual with when the car was born, who knows. I just looked in my Noland book and has only one '58 example. maybe some other '58 owners here with vins close to yours can give some input.

Either way I think you got a great project. Nice!

Rich

[Justin B.]

Re: 1958 engine vs VIN date

1958's don't use VIN numbers on the stamp pad, that started in 1960. Sounds very bogus to me.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1958 engine vs VIN date

Justin, He never said the vin derivative was on the engine pad. His vin reference is that of the car itself.

see post#4....

Rich