Simple clues that lead to more questions.....

​I'm going next week to look at a core engine that is for sale.

The older gentleman who is selling it can't recall what year chassis it came from and by extension what generation engine it is.  I've given him verbal instructions on where to locate the block and head casting numbers, but he says the only number he can find it the firing order stamped on the shroud.  Not sure what more instruction I can give him as he doesn't have email to send him an example picture.  I think it's a combination of not understanding where to look and not understanding what I'm looking for.

Now, I know a couple things (or at least I think I do).  The firing order is the same for all Corvair motors as they came from the factory regardless of year, so that won't tell me anything.  I know from the shop manual what the firing order is.

What I can't find anywhere in the conversion manual or shop manual is where exactly the firing order would be stamped on the shrouds.

So, my questions become this....  where exactly is the firing order stamped on the shroud (or elsewhere on the engine) AND was this stamping done for specific model engines only (is that a clue to what generation it might actually be?)

E-mail sent to the Corvair Jedi, William Wynne.

I'm still going to see the motor as I have other means to figure it out and I'm right in the same town for work meetings next week anyhow.

Also have another lead for a core engine.... waiting on answers for that one too.

In the meantime as part of my shop clean-up, I've assembled a "go kit" for evaluating any engines that I get to see in person:

• 3/4 inch socket and ratchet (to turn the engine over at the flywheel
• small bottle of brake fluid (to remove grime and corrosion on casting numbers)
• a complete list of casting numbers by model year

I can feel the force working :)