engine block number

For the past 3 years,I have been restoring a '66 327 NOE with block 3858180 and stamp T0511HCR, vin 194676S106303. The 8180 casting is relatively rare and is said to have been supplied to St Louis from Tanowanda during a shutdown at their Saginaw plant. I think the block could be from a truck or passenger car. Is this, then, possibly a number matching block, given the supply interruption? I cannot find the build sheet for this car nor can I find any indexing of the "HCR" suffix.
Little Rock vetter  

IMO your vin indicates your 1966 was built in calendar year 1965, but the May date stamped on the engine indicates it did not come with the car.  
Lots of miles and lots of smiles - I drive a Corvette

hi how are you my name is Joe.You say that this is a non original motor.That makes all the diffence.3 letter  suffix codes didnt come into play untill 1970.3858180 was used in 1965 and 66 years.It was used in multiple cars.even the 365,375 vettes.It had a very thin cylinder walls and a large water jacket.It was unknown to when are y this change took place.all 65 and 66 motors origanal were 2 suffix letters.I dont know where hcr comes from.Its a replacement i think.The vin matches a 66 vette.19 is division,4 is engine,67 is convertable,6 is for 1966,s is for st louis,mo.and then sequennce when built.  

magicv8 has it right. The serial# says your car was built in mid Nov 1965. The block date code says it was cast on May 11, (year unknown). Its highly unlikely a block cast in May of 1965 would not get used until Nov. Plus I can't find the "HCR" suffix in my resource books. I can verify joes3 statement that 3 letter suffixes didn't show up until 1970 on Corvettes. My vote goes to a replacement block cast sometime well after your car was built, so it is not original to the car.  

jblackshear Welcome aboard: I hope I can get you closer to what you have..Hear Goes.

TO511HCR
T= Tonawanda Plant
10th month
11th day
HCR Suffix could be 1966 327/275 with Rochester Carb. with a Power glide trans
HOR Suffix  could be 1966 327/275 with a Rochester Carb. with a power glide
or if the HCR is actually an HOR the O may not have been punched all the way or at an angle. This happens more often then not. Either way that's what I was able to decifer....Let me know how close I was on what you have ...Remember if you need to deck the block and those nubers are removed. Take pictures the best you can document that on your build. I've seen partial numbers over the years and that is a real problem...Let me know    

Bob  

Bob, your account is active at the 4 forums where I moderate.,. Corvettefever, HPP, CHP, MoparMuscle and CarCraft.
It's possible the sites you tried to access had a temporary glitch.,. let me know, OK

 
When The Flag Drops,,,



The Bull Chit Stops,,,


P. Engineer, Engine Builder

Tuff:

Thanks for checking into that for me. It seems that problem is slowly taking care of itself. It was very strange the way it happened. I went off the site for a little bit,and I couldn't get back on....   Thanks again

Bob  

No problem Bob.,. any time bud.

 
When The Flag Drops,,,



The Bull Chit Stops,,,


P. Engineer, Engine Builder

The sites have those glitches every now and then.  
Engine builder,self taught auto body guy.
Horsepower sells engines and torque wins races

Thanks pontiacman: It was weird the way it happened.

Bob  

No problem pepsi.  
Engine builder,self taught auto body guy.
Horsepower sells engines and torque wins races