2870 block question
- Thread starter ARW
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Different sizes or different locations... or both?
-Mac
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First I've heard of that. My best guess is different years had different sizes. After all, GM ran the 2870 block from 62 through to 67 and things change.
Anyone else heard of this?
-Mac
Anyone else heard of this?
-Mac
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Yes, two different character heights are seen for the 870 casting number; I don't think anyone has ever tied them to any particular characteristic, date, or usage, although theories abound. 
67l36driver
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More than a couple sets of patterns at the foundry.:eyerole
vettefinderjim
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SAGINAW vs. TONOWANDA ??
I know the early blocks (specifically the 57 #3731548 block ) was made both in Tonowanda, NY and Flint. Only FLINT Blocks went into Corvettes. The other engines were used for trucks and passanger cars. The cast dates are different as well as the casting number size.
Maybe the same holds true here as well. The fact that John has not suggested it however, tells me I am wrong.
I know the early blocks (specifically the 57 #3731548 block ) was made both in Tonowanda, NY and Flint. Only FLINT Blocks went into Corvettes. The other engines were used for trucks and passanger cars. The cast dates are different as well as the casting number size.
Maybe the same holds true here as well. The fact that John has not suggested it however, tells me I am wrong.
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Two different font sizes of 3782870 casting numbers have been seen on Flint blocks, cast during the '62-'65 period when they were used, but my foundry experience tells me there's no special significance to that in terms of how the "small-font" or "large-font" blocks were to be used; at the foundry level, a block was just a block, and there were as many as 60 pattern sets for any given high-volume block casting like the 870.
The casting number and date plates were brass, made by service workers in the Saginaw (and Tonawanda) toolroom, and the individual characters were separate, soldered to the brass plate, which was then attached with screws to a recess in the iron or stainless steel pattern. That impression was then reversed in the sand mold when it was packed around the pattern, and reversed again in the casting when it was poured. Here's a date plate from my collection, right from the Saginaw Foundry toolroom.
The casting number and date plates were brass, made by service workers in the Saginaw (and Tonawanda) toolroom, and the individual characters were separate, soldered to the brass plate, which was then attached with screws to a recess in the iron or stainless steel pattern. That impression was then reversed in the sand mold when it was packed around the pattern, and reversed again in the casting when it was poured. Here's a date plate from my collection, right from the Saginaw Foundry toolroom.
vettefinderjim
Well-known member
YOUR THE MAN, JOHN
The reason I brought this up is recently a decent 57 Corvette fuel injection car appeared for sale in Southern California. Upon close examination, the engine is a Tonawanda orgin and therefore NOT CORRECT for this car even thought it is stamped and cast dated correctly.
The owner must go and find a correct 57 #3731548 block originally made in Saginaw for the Flint plant and then rebuild and transfer all over so he may get all the money he expects the car is worth.
A $7500 cost has been estimated to correct the problem as we know when you pull an engine, there are many unseen expenses will be found.
The reason I brought this up is recently a decent 57 Corvette fuel injection car appeared for sale in Southern California. Upon close examination, the engine is a Tonawanda orgin and therefore NOT CORRECT for this car even thought it is stamped and cast dated correctly.
The owner must go and find a correct 57 #3731548 block originally made in Saginaw for the Flint plant and then rebuild and transfer all over so he may get all the money he expects the car is worth.
A $7500 cost has been estimated to correct the problem as we know when you pull an engine, there are many unseen expenses will be found.
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