Viewing "decked" engine stamp pad
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,226
Likes: 2
From: Lake Wylie SC
Viewing "decked" engine stamp pad
Hi Guys
My block has been decked twice however the builder states that he could see numbers albeit faintly. The motor is now nicely painted and installed however I was wondering if there is a recommended procedure for viewing the numbers without making a real mess of things. I figure that I can remove the paint without to much trouble but am hoping that maybe there is some sort of known CSI process of "raising numbers".
Thanks
Doug
My block has been decked twice however the builder states that he could see numbers albeit faintly. The motor is now nicely painted and installed however I was wondering if there is a recommended procedure for viewing the numbers without making a real mess of things. I figure that I can remove the paint without to much trouble but am hoping that maybe there is some sort of known CSI process of "raising numbers".
Thanks
Doug
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 0
From: Moon Township PA
Originally Posted by Shurshot
Hi Guys
My block has been decked twice however the builder states that he could see numbers albeit faintly. The motor is now nicely painted and installed however I was wondering if there is a recommended procedure for viewing the numbers without making a real mess of things. I figure that I can remove the paint without to much trouble but am hoping that maybe there is some sort of known CSI process of "raising numbers".
Thanks
Doug
My block has been decked twice however the builder states that he could see numbers albeit faintly. The motor is now nicely painted and installed however I was wondering if there is a recommended procedure for viewing the numbers without making a real mess of things. I figure that I can remove the paint without to much trouble but am hoping that maybe there is some sort of known CSI process of "raising numbers".
Thanks
Doug
Gary
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 407
Likes: 1
From: Bridgewater CT
Shurshot..While I am not familiar with the process, I do know that there are techniques used by law enforcement and crime labs to enable them to read numbers that have been(seemingly) ground off of firearms and various vehicle parts by criminals. You might start by looking for either a University near you that has a criminology/forensics program, or try an auto theft task force to get more info. Good luck
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,226
Likes: 2
From: Lake Wylie SC
Originally Posted by toadster
If the numbers really are there but very light and hardly readable....clean and dry the area good and use some chalk to try and highlight the numbers.
I believe that would be a great start in the right direction and then maybe the local university before proceeding to an auto theft task force. I have owned the car for 29 years and it came with a clear title but talking to a cop without knowing for sure about a eng# might not seem the best idea in hindsight.
Doug
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,068
Likes: 27
From: St. Joseph Mo
Muratic (10% HCL) acid is available at most hardware stores and might bring out enough contrast in the metal. Apply with a Q-tip and scrub. The side effects and neutralizing it would be a serous problem. Baking soda should work.
So have I. Bought 'Old Blue' in Oct '76. What year is yours?
I have owned the car for 29 years
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 6
From: Arizona
Speaking as a Level II Non Destructive Test inspector, I perform liquid penetrant tests and magnetic particle tests to detect small surface and subsurface cracks.
In this case a magnetic particle test would be appropriate though you are not actually looking for a crack. What you are actually looking for are discontinuities in the metal structure that would interfere with magnetic lines of flux and create an "indication" or a disruption.
With that being said, when you "stamp" or otherwise distort a metals surface you create these discontinuities. Using a "DC electromagnetic yoke" to detect subsurface indications one could "theoretically" see these indications. If the block has been decked to remove the numbers, there would still be metal depressions deeper in the steel that "could" be detected.
I say theoretically, because most of the equipment available to the average technician/layman is much to clumsy to use for such small and faint discontinuities. It would require some specialized magnetic equipment. I'm sure the tools exist for this type of work too, maybe in the aerospace industry. The block would have to be opened enough to do the work, no heads etc.
Ultrasonic testing is available as well but I'm not as familiar with that method.
In this case a magnetic particle test would be appropriate though you are not actually looking for a crack. What you are actually looking for are discontinuities in the metal structure that would interfere with magnetic lines of flux and create an "indication" or a disruption.
With that being said, when you "stamp" or otherwise distort a metals surface you create these discontinuities. Using a "DC electromagnetic yoke" to detect subsurface indications one could "theoretically" see these indications. If the block has been decked to remove the numbers, there would still be metal depressions deeper in the steel that "could" be detected.
I say theoretically, because most of the equipment available to the average technician/layman is much to clumsy to use for such small and faint discontinuities. It would require some specialized magnetic equipment. I'm sure the tools exist for this type of work too, maybe in the aerospace industry. The block would have to be opened enough to do the work, no heads etc.
Ultrasonic testing is available as well but I'm not as familiar with that method.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,226
Likes: 2
From: Lake Wylie SC
Originally Posted by 67L36Driver
.
So have I. Bought 'Old Blue' in Oct '76. What year is yours?
So have I. Bought 'Old Blue' in Oct '76. What year is yours?
Mine is a 66 L72 with 4:11's and side pipes and as yours was purchased in 76. In the beginning the car pushed the envelope in both motor and suspension but one day a dog of mine chewed a hole through the side to get to a raccoon that was doing its best to stay alive. The car got butchered by two repair shops after the dog ate it however in 01 I found a good man (albeit slow) to bring it back to near original. So now I am soon to start enjoying it again, hopefully a little wiser and a little slower. I used to get tickets a pocket full at a time.
Doug
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,016
Likes: 331
From: Southeast Missouri
Originally Posted by 67L36Driver
The dog ate it. Now I've heard evrything. 
Thought for a moment there that the dog ate your engine block!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,808
Likes: 24
From: Westport CT
Originally Posted by mgsouthard
Speaking as a Level II Non Destructive Test inspector, I perform liquid penetrant tests and magnetic particle tests to detect small surface and subsurface cracks.
In this case a magnetic particle test would be appropriate though you are not actually looking for a crack. What you are actually looking for are discontinuities in the metal structure that would interfere with magnetic lines of flux and create an "indication" or a disruption.
With that being said, when you "stamp" or otherwise distort a metals surface you create these discontinuities. Using a "DC electromagnetic yoke" to detect subsurface indications one could "theoretically" see these indications. If the block has been decked to remove the numbers, there would still be metal depressions deeper in the steel that "could" be detected.
I say theoretically, because most of the equipment available to the average technician/layman is much to clumsy to use for such small and faint discontinuities. It would require some specialized magnetic equipment. I'm sure the tools exist for this type of work too, maybe in the aerospace industry. The block would have to be opened enough to do the work, no heads etc.
Ultrasonic testing is available as well but I'm not as familiar with that method.
In this case a magnetic particle test would be appropriate though you are not actually looking for a crack. What you are actually looking for are discontinuities in the metal structure that would interfere with magnetic lines of flux and create an "indication" or a disruption.
With that being said, when you "stamp" or otherwise distort a metals surface you create these discontinuities. Using a "DC electromagnetic yoke" to detect subsurface indications one could "theoretically" see these indications. If the block has been decked to remove the numbers, there would still be metal depressions deeper in the steel that "could" be detected.
I say theoretically, because most of the equipment available to the average technician/layman is much to clumsy to use for such small and faint discontinuities. It would require some specialized magnetic equipment. I'm sure the tools exist for this type of work too, maybe in the aerospace industry. The block would have to be opened enough to do the work, no heads etc.
Ultrasonic testing is available as well but I'm not as familiar with that method.
Holy Level-II-Non-Destructive-Test-inspector Batman!
wow, we have a little bit of every specialty in our midst!
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: Lexington KY
Originally Posted by Shurshot
Hi Guys
My block has been decked twice however the builder states that he could see numbers albeit faintly. The motor is now nicely painted and installed however I was wondering if there is a recommended procedure for viewing the numbers without making a real mess of things. I figure that I can remove the paint without to much trouble but am hoping that maybe there is some sort of known CSI process of "raising numbers".
Thanks
Doug
My block has been decked twice however the builder states that he could see numbers albeit faintly. The motor is now nicely painted and installed however I was wondering if there is a recommended procedure for viewing the numbers without making a real mess of things. I figure that I can remove the paint without to much trouble but am hoping that maybe there is some sort of known CSI process of "raising numbers".
Thanks
Doug
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,631
Likes: 11
From: Rocklin California
Originally Posted by Shurshot
Hi Guys
My block has been decked twice however the builder states that he could see numbers albeit faintly. The motor is now nicely painted and installed however I was wondering if there is a recommended procedure for viewing the numbers without making a real mess of things. I figure that I can remove the paint without to much trouble but am hoping that maybe there is some sort of known CSI process of "raising numbers".
Thanks
Doug
My block has been decked twice however the builder states that he could see numbers albeit faintly. The motor is now nicely painted and installed however I was wondering if there is a recommended procedure for viewing the numbers without making a real mess of things. I figure that I can remove the paint without to much trouble but am hoping that maybe there is some sort of known CSI process of "raising numbers".
Thanks
Doug
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,226
Likes: 2
From: Lake Wylie SC
Originally Posted by Bluestripe67
The dog ate it!....I'm still laughing and tear running down my face 
That's a hunting dog if I ever heard on one. Dennis
That's a hunting dog if I ever heard on one. Dennis
Actually that was one of two cars that my dogs did major damage to. I had a two week old Continental that a land crab ran under in its futile attempt to avoid two dobermans. Because they couldn't chew on the metal they clawed the car to death and the only part that did not have to be resurfaced and painted was the roof.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 8,913
Likes: 283
There is a purple fluid the Aviation mechanics at the hanger use to look for hairline cracks.
They spray it on, and then blow it off with an air hose, then hold a black light to it.
Might not work, but might be a simple try.
Mark
They spray it on, and then blow it off with an air hose, then hold a black light to it.
Might not work, but might be a simple try.
Mark
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,135
Likes: 1
thats also what i have heard a dye that picks up the impregnated steel stamp thats not visable to the eye ,,,,like wrighting on a pad of paper the you get a pencil to the page underneath w the lead the letters show up