Stamp pad help
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 681
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From: Columbus Indiana
Stamp pad help
Background:
I bought my Silver '65 Coupe (L76 engine) in early January, 2012. The numbers all seemed to check out.
Block casting number: 3782870
Block casting date code: B215
Engine stamp pad:
Doing the math, everything looked OK to me at the time. And with good light and a magnifying glass, it looks like I can see evidence of the broach marks.
Today I was organizing some of the information for my car, and the thought struck me: 0229... That's February 29th. Gee, was 1965 a leap year? No it wasn't.
So, did someone at the Flint Engine Plant make a mistake?
Feedback appreciated.
I bought my Silver '65 Coupe (L76 engine) in early January, 2012. The numbers all seemed to check out.
Block casting number: 3782870
Block casting date code: B215
Engine stamp pad:
Doing the math, everything looked OK to me at the time. And with good light and a magnifying glass, it looks like I can see evidence of the broach marks.
Today I was organizing some of the information for my car, and the thought struck me: 0229... That's February 29th. Gee, was 1965 a leap year? No it wasn't.
So, did someone at the Flint Engine Plant make a mistake?
Feedback appreciated.
Last edited by cam30era; Feb 15, 2013 at 12:08 PM. Reason: Question has been answered.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,000
Likes: 659
From: Puget Sound
Here's the pad on my 65 built shortly after yours. Almost every character in the assembly stamp is different than yours. Also the "4" in the VIN is different. I know they used several different stamps so anything is possible. As far as re-stamping incorrectly, I've seen several that were done wrong, but I'm not saying yours is a re-stamp.
I was looking at a 1960 at a show and the owner was bragging that it had the original motor. I asked him if he knew it was re-stamped incorrectly. He got all pissy and defensive. His VIN was stamped using a gang holder and small characters. You should have seen the look on his face when I told him they didn't start that procedure until 3 months after his car built. He knew nothing about the free-hand stamp pads in 1960.
Jim
I was looking at a 1960 at a show and the owner was bragging that it had the original motor. I asked him if he knew it was re-stamped incorrectly. He got all pissy and defensive. His VIN was stamped using a gang holder and small characters. You should have seen the look on his face when I told him they didn't start that procedure until 3 months after his car built. He knew nothing about the free-hand stamp pads in 1960.
Jim
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From: Columbus Indiana
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
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From: Newark DE
There was no 2/29 that year.
my '65 is listed in the NCRS monthly production lists as THE last car off the line in Feb of '65. that year, '65, production ended for Feb on Friday, 2/26. and the last 6 of my VIN are 111059 - your car is 369 VINS further ahead of mine so it has to be a March car, not a Feb car - which we know since in '65 2/29 didn't exist.
I suppose it's POSSIBLE that it's a factory misstamp but if that's the case there were probably others with the same mistake and it would most likely be a "known" factory error or if it's a restamp than the guy that did it was just an idiot.
my '65 is listed in the NCRS monthly production lists as THE last car off the line in Feb of '65. that year, '65, production ended for Feb on Friday, 2/26. and the last 6 of my VIN are 111059 - your car is 369 VINS further ahead of mine so it has to be a March car, not a Feb car - which we know since in '65 2/29 didn't exist.
I suppose it's POSSIBLE that it's a factory misstamp but if that's the case there were probably others with the same mistake and it would most likely be a "known" factory error or if it's a restamp than the guy that did it was just an idiot.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,141
Army
That's the way I'm leaning....just looking at the digit '9' at the end of the stamping (before the "HH") compared to the "9" in 1snake's stamp makes it really look suspect...let alone some of the other things...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Puget Sound
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,217
Likes: 2,089
From: Bowling Green, Kentucky
Al Grenning contact info is http://ccas4vettes.com/news.htm. I would send him an e-mail and inquire about your engine stamping. He may tell you that it is a known anomoly......or he may want $$ to provide that information. I don't know.
Probably worth an e-mail or phone call to Al.
Larry
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13,794
Likes: 1,850
From: Birmingham Mi
I have a typo trim tag and when I attended one of Al's seminars and showed him photos he asked for me to email them to him. I did that and he responded that it was a typo trim tag in his opinion and stated many mistakes were made on the line. He uses my photos and car as an example of the errors made in his current seminars. Shoot him an email.Rick
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,489
Likes: 1,313
From: Huntsville AL
I think this has been addressed before, but the "9" in your date code stamp looks like an upside down "6".
I seem to recall hearing that it wasn't possible to put the stamps in upside down in the gang holder.
Does anyone have an example of a date code stamp for this year and type of engine that contains the digit "6"?
I seem to recall hearing that it wasn't possible to put the stamps in upside down in the gang holder.
Does anyone have an example of a date code stamp for this year and type of engine that contains the digit "6"?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,262
Likes: 39
From: Goldsboro NC
I've seen a few mistakes made such as presumed assembly line pad stamps, 67 tank stickers with wrong year, casting dates on blocks with inverted "6", trim tag's etc. I would not be suprised if stamped with wrong (non-existent) date.
But, I'm still not 100% sure yours is not re-stamped. JMO.
But, I'm still not 100% sure yours is not re-stamped. JMO.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 34
From: Ontario
He did a big block for me a couple of years ago and I was satisfied with his opinion. At that time if I just wanted a verbal opinion it was $200. I had him certify mine in writing as it was a wierd one . Someone posted pictures of mine here and the " experts " tore it apart like dogs on a bone .
He was able to prove it was original with comparison to others in the same period and he actually had internal factory records that ordered these blocks re-configured .
Al is a very cordial man to deal with .
Good Luck
Bill
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
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Army
Which is why I don't ever post my stamp pad pictures - I find the endless debates over what a 'real deal' broach mark looks like amusing. Some of the arguments over the characteristics of the stamped numbers/letters is always fun too. Having done some hand stamping in an aircraft maintenance facility for a while I can tell you its hardly a precise affair.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,148
Likes: 642
From: Bandera Texas
As alrady stated, Al has many, many engine photos in his data base and is very fair with his appraisal.
I have a friend with and original 1965 fuel injection coupe, #11255, maroon / black vinyl, all original, history to New Jersey. Has POP Protect plate. Once owned by collector Ed Mueller. 4 speed, 3:70 posi,
TRIM TAG :
H2(March 2, 1965)
65 437 S2066 Body
TR std 900MM Paint
Engine :F0212HN
Car has transistor ign, AM/FM Radio, a little over 34000 miles. It has BLOOMINGTON SURVIVOR and NCRS awards from the 80's.
Made the day PRIOR to your car. My guess is someone tried hard.....but missed the date and font characters on your pad.
.
I have a friend with and original 1965 fuel injection coupe, #11255, maroon / black vinyl, all original, history to New Jersey. Has POP Protect plate. Once owned by collector Ed Mueller. 4 speed, 3:70 posi,
TRIM TAG :
H2(March 2, 1965)
65 437 S2066 Body
TR std 900MM Paint
Engine :F0212HN
Car has transistor ign, AM/FM Radio, a little over 34000 miles. It has BLOOMINGTON SURVIVOR and NCRS awards from the 80's.
Made the day PRIOR to your car. My guess is someone tried hard.....but missed the date and font characters on your pad.
.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,260
Likes: 7
From: Naples Fl
Al Grenning is the regarded expert in the field of stamp pads.But he is not perfect and does not profess to be.He just offers his educated opinion.I know personally of three Bloomington Gold and NCRS top flight cars that he judged the pad as good that are restamps.I am sure that there are more out there as well.That being said I would have him exam the pad of any high end Corvette's stamp pad that was looking to buy to give me a better piece of mind.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,262
Likes: 39
From: Goldsboro NC
Al Grenning is the regarded expert in the field of stamp pads.But he is not perfect and does not profess to be.He just offers his educated opinion.I know personally of three Bloomington Gold and NCRS top flight cars that he judged the pad as good that are restamps.I am sure that there are more out there as well.That being said I would have him exam the pad of any high end Corvette's stamp pad that was looking to buy to give me a better piece of mind.