I am restoring my 5961 "EF" engine with a build date within a few weeks of the assembly date of my Chevelle, and the heads and exhaust manifolds are within a couple of months. My mechanic wants to deck the block which could remove the date and suffix code from the engine. Disregarding whether that is a good idea or not, the engine is out of another Chevelle, so it's not numbers matching. It will be "period correct", but that seems kind of like the step-child to numbers matching. It's not easy finding the right parts that are period correct parts, so my question is:
Does it make any difference in the value of a Chevelle if the engine, carb, distributor, etc., are right and period correct as opposed to numbers matching?
Thank you,
Bob

Bob,

Without the matching block I don't personally feel the correct bolt on parts would make any difference in the value. However if you had the matching number block ,trans and so forth the car would be worth more money to a future buyer, especially if the bolt on parts were also correct date coded.

I would get the machine work completed, drive and enjoy! graemlins/beers.gif

I wouldnt deck the block. The chevelle "EF" code makes it that much closer to correct, the whole reason U bought a period correct 396.

Originally posted by bobstarap:
Does it make any difference in the value of a Chevelle if the engine, carb, distributor, etc., are right and period correct as opposed to numbers matching?
Maybe just a matter of personal preferance but personally, I would rather buy it if it "looked correct" than not but I suppose that would depend on just "how wrong" it looked and how much difference in price would be.

As far as nunbers go, either they are original or they are not.
I can't see that being "almost original" would make any difference at all.

I know you didn't ask the question, "to deck it" or "not to deck it" but again to me, it wouldn't matter at all because "almost original" would mean nothing more than "not original"

The big Value I get out of my Chevelle is the enjoyment. The only # on my car anyone can read at 65mph+ is the Lic Plate #, And I have to keep that correct. That "EF" suffix code has value to you. So IMOP you should try and keep it. I like to keep My 64 period correct looking. When I changed to front disk brakes I traded a set of 15"X 7" rally wheels for a set of 14"X 6" rally wheels from a 67 just so I could use my 14" SS caps. Some would say I traded away value, But not to me.
Did you note, At the auction this year the period correct Mod. cars brought some big $$. Many times more than a frame off Resto.
The big value is in what YOU enjoy.
JMOP Bob J.

Value is a hard thing to pin down because it means something different to each person. In my opinion, matching numbers is at the top of the list, period correct is the next best thing and simply looking correct is last. All have value but in different ways.

My SS is a down to the last nut and bolt accurate restoration but my wagon project is a hot rod. But, I still want my hot rod to more or less look period so I won't be using modern billet valve covers, etc.

I DO think period correct adds something to the value of the car. Unless the block NEEDS to be decked don't deck it, it just a waste of money unless it's really necessary. If it is decked, take pictures of it before the decking. You could also restamp the numbers WITH THE EXACT SAME DATA as it had before being decked.

I think the general concensus is that it is worth going the extra mile (miles) to get the car period correct. My mechanic believes that using a 2" device instead of a 4" device will allow the machinist to bypass the date/suffix area when decking the block. He's checking that out. I am guessing if the engine can be decked without removing the dates/numbers, etc., then decking isn't a problem. Please let me know if that's not correct. He apparently is blueprinting the engine, so I guess that makes a difference. Thanks very much guys.
Bob

This is truly an area that will always be controversial...

IMO, Period correct is cool, but the dates are insignificant. If its not the original part, then it does not matter that it is correctly dated, as long as its the correct piece (part number, visual looks, etc).

First off, the casting dates aren't readily visible on an assembled car, especially if its at a show, etc. So the dates themselves shouldn't really matter...

I think the term "period correct" would be better used if it referred to the look or style of the parts... Who cares if the exhaust manifolds were cast a month after the car was assembled as opposed to a few weeks before? they are still from the same period... IMO, If they look like correct parts for the model year, good enough...

As for value, IMO it would be worth less with the incorrectly stamped block, opposed to the decked block... With the stamps you have now, its obvious the engine is not original... If its been decked, then some people may wonder...
Regardless, I question the need for the decking. If the surface is true, it porbably doesn't need to be decked. Decking is not always a necessity The factory deck to piston tolerances were not perfect, and to go that far in "blue-printing" an engine, yet only using stock exhaust, cam, carb, intake, etc seems ridiculous and overkill...

I would say that if the block needs to be decked then so be it......have the numbers that were on the block originaly, stamped back on. There is nothig wrong with going period correct. My 2 cents.

Due to corrosion around the top edge of one of my bores, i was forced to deck my 396 block but there is a reputable guy here in the area that has the correct stamp and will restamp the block. (By the way if he's reading this, the short block is done and Dean is ready for you....)