Help! help with numbers

[bretty]

Hi all,recently purchased my 68 coupe and was just wondering if anyone can help me work out what some of the engine numbers are and what they mean.Do any of them identify the engine size?The last 6 of the engine match the VIN.

185424512 (stamped on the pad front of block)There is also some other numbers stamped after that number,thay are larger and look like they have been stamped over with symbles? I can make out VO 2

3914678 (cast behind the head)

3927184
GM2 (cast on top of motor under the air cleaner)

F58 (cast behind air cleaner)

thankyou Brett.

 

[6880 Mike]

...185424512 (stamped on the pad front of block)...

1 Chevrolet Corvette
8 year of production (68)
5 is an alpha S plant code for St. Louis, Missouri
4 car line series code for Corvette
24512 consecutive unit number. Your VIN should be 194378S424512.

...There is also some other numbers stamped after that number,thay are larger and look like they have been stamped over with symbles? I can make out VO 2...

.
V02xxXX try to read this one again.
V plant code for the Flint, Michigan engine assembly plant
02 month engine was assembled (February)
xx missing characters, day of the month
XX last two alpha characters are the engine suffix code and will identify the engine.

3914678 (cast behind the head)...

block casting number

...3927184 GM2 (cast on top of motor under the air cleaner)...

Intake manifold casting number.

F58 (cast behind air cleaner)...

manifold casting date. June 5, 1968

Your car was probably built in August 1968 as production was winding down.

A February assembly date for your engine may not be correct. Check the number again.

Welcome to the '68 owner's club!!

 

[bretty]

many thanks for that Mike.I will have a look at that number again tomorrow in the light as its midnight here in Aus and my bed time.

 

[6880 Mike]

It's worth checking in better light.

 

[bretty]

The best I can make out is V-0-6?-2-6?
Not sure if the first 6 is there or its just a space.Why would that other crap be stamped over top.
would really like to know what motor it has.

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

It looks like the motor has been apart at least once and for unknown reasons someone saw fit to restamp it.

At least they didn't try to fake it.

 

[6880 Mike]

Whoa! What's with the oriental characters? Definitely not factory!!
I'm betting your engine is original. I think I see V0x26 and assume there might be a 6 in there for an engine assembly date of June 26. Too bad the last two characters have been stamped over. They're the engine suffix. Could be HE, HO, HP, or HT depending upon the original engine and transmission.

What's the time/build code for your car? I'm guessing July 6th provided the plant was running that Saturday. If not, Monday, July 8th.

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

I think that block casting number was used only on the base and 350HP cars, so that narrows it down.

 

[bretty]

Whoa! What's with the oriental characters? Definitely not factory!!
I'm betting your engine is original. I think I see V0x26 and assume there might be a 6 in there for an engine assembly date of June 26. Too bad the last two characters have been stamped over. They're the engine suffix. Could be HE, HO, HP, or HT depending upon the original engine and transmission.

What's the time/build code for your car? I'm guessing July 6th provided the plant was running that Saturday. If not, Monday, July 8th.

The car was imported from Japan to Australia.I dont see what reason they would have for stamping out the number though.
July 6th is the correct date.

 

[6880 Mike]

...July 6th is the correct date...