Date codes

[tripower]

Hi, Dan here. I am trying to figure out this date code thing. I have a 61 Impala 348 3X2's and a fourspeed with a block casting # 3755011. I looked that up on this site and saw that it was used in the 61' as well as 58', 59' & 60' if I am reading this right. I believe my block date code is I180. That being the case the engine would have been cast on 9/18/60 but am having some trouble distingwishing if that first digit is a I or a 1. Also the sufix code on the stamp pad is T0906FH meaning the engine was assembled on 9/06 and is the 350HP which makes no sence at all. The Data plate time build code on the firewall is 2D. Meaning the 4th week in February is when the vehicle was assembled.
Is it possable that the engine would have been cast in 60' insted of 61' with a february assembly and, because 60' was a leep year it would be a julian code and I am all screwed up.
I am a little mixed up on the julian codes. From what I gathered the julian codes are just the # of days in the year. Correct? But why is there non leap year julian codes and leap year julian codes?
Also, did all of the 348 3x2 350HP motors use the 1110919 dual point distributor or would it be possible they also used the 1110948 distributor?:scratch If anyone can help me out here I would gratefull. Thanks Dan... and remember its allways more fun to be looking out the sideglass.:brow

[rstreet]

tripower
As far as I know all the 305-350 hp engines used the 919 distributor as it didn't have a vacuum advance. I am still thinking about your block casting and stamping numbers on your 61.

[tripower]

rstreet, Thanks for the info. If you have any input on the castings that would help that would be great. Thanks Dan

[real61ss]

'61 305 engine did not use the 919 distributor. They used the standard single point distributor.
The 61 305 motor was actually a 348/250 motor that was allowed to breathe better by using the hipo heads, 2 1/2" exhaust manifolds, improved intake and an AFB carb. The remainder of the motor was the same as the 348/250

[rstreet]

Tommy
That is the set up with mine but I was always concerned about the banded Dist w/vacuum advance. I always atributed the difference to mine being a late built and you know how things were at the beginning and the end of each model year back then. Or someone changing a dist. for whatever reason. personally I prefer a vacuum advance for any thing driven on the street and I really don't think they hinder at the strip if they are set up correctly.

[chevykid]

[QUOTE=tripower]Hi, Dan here. I am trying to figure out this date code thing. I have a 61 Impala 348 3X2's and a fourspeed with a block casting # 3755011. I looked that up on this site and saw that it was used in the 61' as well as 58', 59' & 60' if I am reading this right. I believe my block date code is I180. That being the case the engine would have been cast on 9/18/60 but am having some trouble distingwishing if that first digit is a I or a 1. The first character in the date code is a letter You are correct it's Sept. 18, 1960

[real61ss]

"That being the case the engine would have been cast on 9/18/60 but am having some trouble distingwishing if that first digit is a I or a 1. Also the sufix code on the stamp pad is T0906FH meaning the engine was assembled on 9/06 and is the 350HP which makes no sence at all."


Hmmmmm.....that means the motor was assemblied before it was cast.....:dunno

[CHEV601234]

Has to be I160 not I180

[oldskydog]

Look at that casting number again. Instead of I-18-0 it should be I-1-60. Tonawanda always used the last two digits of the year in the casting date. What you are reading as an 8 is probably a 6.:scratch

[tripower]

Ok guys, I took another look at the casting number and here it is I160 and the sufix is T0906FH. Now that makes more sence. Thanks chev60 & Cecil for figureing that out. The way I understood it the last digit represented the year and not the last 2 digits.