rkew
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2002
- Messages
- 50
- Location
- Texas
- Corvette
- Roman Red '62 and Competition Yellow '91 Coupe
I need some help figuring out exactly what I have in my '62.
The casting number (3782870) tells me it's a 327, which is a good thing for a '62. The block pad stamping clearly shows two sets of small numbers towards the front edge of the block pad stamping, which I understand is another good thing. However, that's where it may get ugly.
Facing the rear of the vehicle, the set of numbers on the left (the side closest to the passenger side of the car) appears to be the VIN stamping # (124441). The set of numbers on the right appears to be the primary engine code (TIII5SH). From what I've read, the "T" in the engine code isn't something a '57-'64 Vette owner wants to see. It means the engine was assembled in Tonawanda, NY as opposed to Flint (F) and Flint is where ALL of the Corvette engines between '57 and '64 were assembled. Am I wrong? Please tell me I'm wrong. Additionally, the last six digits of the VIN number on my steering column are 109786. From what I gather, the fact that those six digits don't match the six digits on the block pad stamping means it's definitely not the engine that was mated with this car's drivetrain in the assembly plant in St. Louis, right?
Either way, the third thing that's puzzling me is what the 5-character stamping just above those two numbers is all about. It's also on the stamping block but partially covered by the head. The characters are nearly twice as large as the other two sets of numbers and it looks like they say RC440. Does that "RC" have anything to do with the engine code suffix that represents the 250 hp version of the '62 Corvette 327 or is it merely a coincidence?
To summarize:
Is it a Vette engine?
Is it a '62 Vette engine?
Is it the enginge that was matched the my car in the assembly plant?
Whether it is or isn't a Vette engine, the casting number tells me it's a 327. Any idea what the suffix SH stands for?
Any help answering any of the these unknowns would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Ryan
The casting number (3782870) tells me it's a 327, which is a good thing for a '62. The block pad stamping clearly shows two sets of small numbers towards the front edge of the block pad stamping, which I understand is another good thing. However, that's where it may get ugly.
Facing the rear of the vehicle, the set of numbers on the left (the side closest to the passenger side of the car) appears to be the VIN stamping # (124441). The set of numbers on the right appears to be the primary engine code (TIII5SH). From what I've read, the "T" in the engine code isn't something a '57-'64 Vette owner wants to see. It means the engine was assembled in Tonawanda, NY as opposed to Flint (F) and Flint is where ALL of the Corvette engines between '57 and '64 were assembled. Am I wrong? Please tell me I'm wrong. Additionally, the last six digits of the VIN number on my steering column are 109786. From what I gather, the fact that those six digits don't match the six digits on the block pad stamping means it's definitely not the engine that was mated with this car's drivetrain in the assembly plant in St. Louis, right?
Either way, the third thing that's puzzling me is what the 5-character stamping just above those two numbers is all about. It's also on the stamping block but partially covered by the head. The characters are nearly twice as large as the other two sets of numbers and it looks like they say RC440. Does that "RC" have anything to do with the engine code suffix that represents the 250 hp version of the '62 Corvette 327 or is it merely a coincidence?
To summarize:
Is it a Vette engine?
Is it a '62 Vette engine?
Is it the enginge that was matched the my car in the assembly plant?
Whether it is or isn't a Vette engine, the casting number tells me it's a 327. Any idea what the suffix SH stands for?
Any help answering any of the these unknowns would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Ryan