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Hello all. Corvette newbie here. I've had this 64 vette for a while and I'm finally getting into it and restoring it. I don't have a lot of history on the car but according to the data plate, I have a Silver Blue 1964 Corvette convertible with STD black interior. The engine is what I'm curious about. The casting number is 3782870. The block build date is B244. The Engine Stamping Code is F0226S. And there is no VIN stamped next to the engine stamping code. What does this mean? Is it a crate engine from 1964? Built in Flint MI? On Feb 26 1964? My VIN is 40867 S 118505. The prev owner says the car used to have a manual trans but right now it has an automatic trans. I sure appreciate the help here!!!
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Welcome from another "Restore the Silver Blue '64" member. LOTS of info available on here, no matter what you are working on there's someone who can walk you through it. More pics please1
As previously said that engine is from a 64 full-size car with an automatic transmission. Your car was built in May 1964 that engine was built in February it is way too early.
Thank you all for the great information. So the general consensus is that the engine is not original to the car. But the engine was from 1964 from some other chevy like an impala. And a 4BBL carb and auto transmission. And it was from a type of car from chevy that did not mark the VIN on the block. There is no VIN stamped on it at all. Maybe it was ground off but I don't think so. As I understand it, stamping VINs on engines was only done on the high value cars or high HP engines. (corvettes) THX!!
Yes for Corvette all engines from 1960 (I think) got a vin stamp. And prior
to 1968 only engines with a an advertised horse power of 300 and above got a vin stamp. For 68 ALL engines got a vin stamp
Here are some more pics are requested. Car was left outside for years before I got it. Body is removed from the frame and all parts are broken down to elemental pieces. Engine will need to be rebuilt and repaired. Loss of coolant and possible heat damage. Frame has a little rust and corrosion and needs to be fixed.
Vegas, it's very funny you mention a 350. I actually bought a 350 crate engine a few years ago thinking the 327 in this vette was totally locked up and useless due to coolant loss. I bought a 375 HP 350 from Phoenix Engines and was planning on putting it into the vette. But then as I did more research, I realized that people tend to like Vettes more unmolested and original. So I really don't know if I will put this 350 in there or have the 327 rebuilt. Any comments are welcome. I wanted to change out the auto trans with a 4 speed original type transmission.
But then as I did more research, I realized that people tend to like Vettes more unmolested and original.
This is generally true, but you already know that the engine is not original to the car, so that ship has sailed. I agree with Vegas. Put a good crate motor in it and move on. You'll save yourself a lot of work, time and probably expense as well.
Ted
I personally would not dismiss the 327 out of hand. It may have been rated at 250hp in an Impala, but the heads appear to be 3782461's which would have been on the 300hp 327 in a 64 Corvette. It also has the large harmonic balancer, not normally on a 250 hp engine. Both of these could have been added of course at installation or afterward.
The 350 itself will present some, albeit small, issues if you want it to present as a engine of that era. Regardless, I would check the 327 out thoroughly to determine its overall condition. This will be important even if you decide to move on, as it could still have great value to the right person.
I personally would not dismiss the 327 out of hand. It may have been rated at 250hp in an Impala, but the heads appear to be 3782461's which would have been on the 300hp 327 in a 64 Corvette. It also has the large harmonic balancer, not normally on a 250 hp engine. Both of these could have been added of course at installation or afterward.
The 350 itself will present some, albeit small, issues if you want it to present as a engine of that era. Regardless, I would check the 327 out thoroughly to determine its overall condition. This will be important even if you decide to move on, as it could still have great value to the right person.
Good luck... GUSTO
I agree with Gusto. I’d look at rebuilding the correct-era 327 or find another 870 block that might be a better core. It might be a little more expensive, but an era-correct 327, even if an NOM is a bit more attractive at re-sale time than a car with a 350. Also, if you dress the 350 to look stock you will run into breather/ oil by-pass issues that you wont with the 327.
There are as many who can appreciate an era correct car, as are wrapped up in making a new engine dressed as an old engine.
One person's corvette philosophy is alien to another, but each view is valid.
A 64 327 in a 64 vette is perfect compliment to the car.
On the other hand, depending on what turns you on, a crate engine from BP or elsewhere would be as perfect a solution. There is no need to dress a new crate motor to look like an old motor. Laughable in a way, as the rationale for making new, look old, discards the rationale that a 64 327 is pissing in the wind because it is not original.
Totally depends on what your perspective is toward the 64. A crate motor is the quick way out and less hassle.
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23
Oldtimer
In my experience, no matter what car, a prospective buyer wants a 'Clean Canvas' and are more willing to buy a old unrestored but original car over one that has been changed/modified/ ect. Part of the excitement of a purchase of a classic corvette is it's history. Now I know there are lots of folks who believe in the "Hay I'm not going to have something that doesn't represent !" and their "live for now" sentiment, and that is PERFECTLY OK, but somewhere down the road they or another family member could or might want to bid fond farewell to the car and one of the more difficult situations is trying to sell a great classic that someone back in time decided to do wherever they did cause of their mind set back then, when ever, and I'm not saying that isn't fine, but sooner or later some one is going to be looking for prospective buyer and what 'Most' buyers want is a 'Original' car. If you have a chance to hold on to a near 60 year old classic, that is something to think about now while you have the chance.
I'm a fan of originality too (my 67 is an NOM but has a Corvette 327 in there, is a nice driver and when I replace something I try to use correct reproduction parts). Taking what there is at face value--I doubt rebuilding the 327 OP has will increase the value of this car any vs. dropping the 350 engine in there. Especially in a 64--that's typically the least desirable of the C2 model years. I'd go with the 350.
Scott, something else worth mentioning about the current engine you have is the valve covers (at least the one in post #7) are early original covers cast before the flaw began to appear in 1966 (?). Many Corvettes (along with other Chevrolet's) wear Corvette covers today that were cast after the flaw first appeared. Since most of the covers since then were cast using the original flawed molds, an early set in otherwise good condition, are very much in demand. I wouldn't spend a lot of time trying to clean them with anything but some detergent such as 409 or Simple Green until you decide what you might want to do with them. Getting too aggressive in cleaning them at this point could actually make the restoration process more difficult, so be careful how you approach this.
If at all possible post some pictures of the cylinder heads showing their part numbers, such as these...
This could reveal some additional information on the history and potential value of the engine you currently have.
02-22-2023, 02:00 PM
What Engine do I have?
Dennis
