J-BIRD,
You gave the following Casting I.D. Nos. from your block either here or at LCOC.
7BE:1
5750416
8
DIF (DEARBORN IRON FOUNDRY)
44
43532 ER
4-7B01
4-7B01 is the actual date code (CASTING)
This is the info given in the 1958 LINC-MERC TSB No. 8
4 is the Engine Plant Code (Lima)
7 is the Year Code (1957)
B is the Month Code (DEC)
O is the Day Code (14)
1 is the Plant Inspector Code
So you have 14 DEC 1957. It is an early one and explains the 7 character PN (5750416)
I have to find the interpretation of the Date Code on the bell.
OK...The 60 bell has a Casting I.D. of COMP 7976-B. Yours has a Casting I.D. of P3B 7976-B (if I read it correctly from the photo) and a Casting Date of 8AN (which I am not sure as to how to decipher the month and day). P (on prefix P3B) refers to Powertrain and is formatted differently from the later transmission parts. So this definitely makes it early).
What is the build date on the car?
(24 DEC 1958)
J,
I am going to insert the photo of your engine skirt (shown on SQUAREBIRDS) here to try and keep everything together for future reference.
When your detailing comes to the engine, are you wanting number correct pieces (only the intake and possibly the head numbers would show) or are you going to be able to use any period correct block?
This is starting to resemble the member at SQUAREBIRDS that had the early solid 352 in his 58 BIRD...
