65 396 Engine numbers -
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 543
Likes: 24
From: Riverside CA
65 396 Engine numbers -
Okay experts, do these stampings look correct or, is block re-stamped?
This is in my car and I beleive (with some others confirmation) these are correct original. The broach marks can still be seen however, the stampings are very close to the head.
At a recent event, I was told by a person, no way and the block was re-stamped. The block casting number is correct and the casting date lines up to everything else.
Block reads TO323IF 5113934
[IMG]
[/IMG]
This is in my car and I beleive (with some others confirmation) these are correct original. The broach marks can still be seen however, the stampings are very close to the head.
At a recent event, I was told by a person, no way and the block was re-stamped. The block casting number is correct and the casting date lines up to everything else.
Block reads TO323IF 5113934
[IMG]
[/IMG]
Last edited by Eric Voigt; Jun 10, 2009 at 09:31 AM. Reason: grammer
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,540
Likes: 12
From: TX
To answer the question it needs to be clarified if the numbers were
stamped on the assembly line after the engine was installed which
I believe to be correct. If that is the case, then the stamp holder
would not allow for the numbers to get this close to the head in
my opinion.
stamped on the assembly line after the engine was installed which
I believe to be correct. If that is the case, then the stamp holder
would not allow for the numbers to get this close to the head in
my opinion.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,468
Likes: 1,295
From: minneola fl
The engine code was stamped on the engine PRIOR to installation of the heads---BUT, the VIN code was stamped when the engine was mated with the drivetrain. Just my opinion, but I'm not sure you could get the "gang" holder that close to the head for the vin stamp????
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,468
Likes: 1,295
From: minneola fl
I just found something pretty interesting in Alan Colvins book "Chevrolet by the Numbers 1965-1969". From page 37 he says "The position of the engine and VIN codes on the block pad changed over the years. In early 1965 on big blocks, the engine code was stamped on the right-hand side of the pad, but this caused a placement problem for the VIN code. The engine code was stamped on the assembly line prior to the installation of the cylinder head, while the VIN code was stamped much later, at the final assembly plant. The problem was that the cyclinder head coolant plug partially obscured the left side of the block pad. As a result, many of the VIN codes had to be stamped in a skewed manner to fit on the pad. To correct this, the position of the codes was reversed. The engine code was moved to the left side of the block pad. It is known that for big block engines at the Tonawanda plant, code plcement changed sometime between late Mar and late April in the 65 model year"
Your car is "right there", so who knows. Get a copy of Al Grennings book--- it's a great reference for this sort of stuff.
Your car is "right there", so who knows. Get a copy of Al Grennings book--- it's a great reference for this sort of stuff.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Northern MN
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: NE Illinois IL
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 282
Likes: 1
From: Euclid ohio
I am by no means an expert.I agree with others here.I do not see how the serial number portion could have been added in that position with the head on.So I think restamp.But like my wife says,"who cares what I say"
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,632
Likes: 14
From: MA
If it is a restamp, it's interesting why somebody would go to the trouble to make it look "real" and not put the VIN stamp where it is more believable. If there was some problem with the motor could it have possibly been stamped at the factory with the heads off after it left the assembly line? (Like it's the second block in the car).
larry
larry
Last edited by redred65cpe; Jun 11, 2009 at 09:30 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
The VIN stamp is too close to the cylinder head to have been stamped with the production tool; St. Louis VIN stamp gang-holder photo below - note the amount of offset from the character dies to the outer edge of the tool that was placed against the end of the cylinder head.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 543
Likes: 24
From: Riverside CA
From what I've learned, the car was built in late March of '65. The weird thing is the casting date of the block coinside with the car if I remember correctly. The transmission is stamped correctly and has the VIN as well.
Oh well. I'm just going to enjoy it non the less.
Thanks again for the feedback.
Oh well. I'm just going to enjoy it non the less.
Thanks again for the feedback.
