C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Has my block been decked?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 13, 2007 | 03:32 PM
  #21  
427SIXPACK's Avatar
427SIXPACK
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
Community Influencer
Shutterbug
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,718
Likes: 1,897
From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

Originally Posted by Easy Mike
I have not heard of a pad being missed twice. VIN derivative could have been missed at St. Louis, but not likely. The quality control guys looked for things like that. Ditto for a missing engine code stamp prior to leaving Flint. Not likely. Still, stranger things have happened.

It's possible the block was replaced in Heavy Repair at St. Louis before the car was shipped, but in those instances the VIN restamp is almost always noticeable.

I think I can see feint partial numbers. Decked.
AS IN MANY, MANY, YEARS AGO POSSIBLY !!
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2007 | 06:03 PM
  #22  
noel48's Avatar
noel48
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 8
From: Killeen TX
St. Jude Donor '14
Default

What does "decked" mean?
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2007 | 06:13 PM
  #23  
Seaside63's Avatar
Seaside63
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,257
Likes: 6
From: Mission Viejo California
Default

Looks like a virgin, never-stamped pad to me.

Probably a replacement block. Looks nice.
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2007 | 07:29 PM
  #24  
7T1vette's Avatar
7T1vette
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Default

If a warranty repair, it would have had a CE number put on at the dealership, I think. Over-the-counter block purchase is likely. Is there some "approved" method for re-identifying that block with your car? [I'm not suggesting the original numbering method.]
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2007 | 08:21 PM
  #25  
jim2527's Avatar
jim2527
Thread Starter
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,348
Likes: 654
From: Tampa, Florida
Default

Originally Posted by 7T1vette
If a warranty repair, it would have had a CE number put on at the dealership, I think. Over-the-counter block purchase is likely. Is there some "approved" method for re-identifying that block with your car? [I'm not suggesting the original numbering method.]
Due to the 1976 date code I dont think that would be possible. I purchased my car knowing it had this engine so its not that big of a deal. Now I know what I have, a 1976 350 block, and can work from there.

My engine has an intake from a 1968 corvette. I'll pull the valve covers to see what kind of heads I'm dealing with. For now the engine stays as is. I have other 'issues'.
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2007 | 11:55 PM
  #26  
bams12's Avatar
bams12
Racer
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 482
Likes: 1
From: Brandon Manitoba
Default

If this block had been rebuilt and decked is this what the block would look like ? For a guy that is rebuiding his motor and decking it how do you preserve the matching numbers during the decking proceedure ?
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2007 | 06:54 AM
  #27  
jim2527's Avatar
jim2527
Thread Starter
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,348
Likes: 654
From: Tampa, Florida
Default

Originally Posted by bams12
If this block had been rebuilt and decked is this what the block would look like ? For a guy that is rebuiding his motor and decking it how do you preserve the matching numbers during the decking proceedure ?
Tell your machinist not to deck them off. They dont run the 'decker' all the way to the edge. There are picture on the forum of a block that has been decked yet the numbers are still there.

do a search....
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2007 | 12:19 PM
  #28  
Easy Mike's Avatar
Easy Mike
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default

Originally Posted by jim2527
Tell your machinist not to deck them off.....
Tell him FIRST, before any machining is done, and make sure he knows the value of the numbers and why you want to keep them. Have a very clear understanding between the two of you before you hand your block over to him.

But, first things first, does your block actually need to be decked? Most don't.

Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Mar 14, 2007 | 01:10 PM
  #29  
Seaside63's Avatar
Seaside63
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,257
Likes: 6
From: Mission Viejo California
Default

Use Fel Pro head gaskets. Don't deck the block. It's unneccessary and a waste of $$$
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2007 | 02:14 PM
  #30  
ipmtim's Avatar
ipmtim
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 2
From: Marengo Illinois
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Default

I had my original '71 LT-1 block decked and they left the pad alone to keep it #'s matching. Decking may not be necessary but a zero deck block does increase CR
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2007 | 04:25 PM
  #31  
Mark_Milner's Avatar
Mark_Milner
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,367
Likes: 59
From: FL
Default

Originally Posted by bams12
If this block had been rebuilt and decked is this what the block would look like ? For a guy that is rebuiding his motor and decking it how do you preserve the matching numbers during the decking proceedure ?
Explain the importance of the numbers to you. Any good shop should have a car guy running it and he will understand. If not, go elsewhere.

Also, if they can't grasp the concept that the numbers are VERY important to you, see if he can grasp the concept that it will cost him about $10,000 to $50,000 depending on the car it belongs in.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2007 | 12:57 AM
  #32  
mopowered's Avatar
mopowered
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by mopowered
Jim - my '68 roadster's 327 block is also blank and looks a lot like yours. I'll try to add pictures later as I'm currently at work.
Here's the pix - I'm guessing it's been decked by the previous owner... opinions?



Reply
Old Mar 17, 2007 | 01:10 AM
  #33  
jcswm's Avatar
jcswm
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,527
Likes: 1
From: St. Petersburg, Fl///Columbus, Ohio
Default

CALL THE POLICE!!!!!

NO kidding..... they have a chemical they use on guns to retrieve the serial # if it's been ground off








I didn't read the whole thread before posting

Last edited by jcswm; Mar 17, 2007 at 01:12 AM.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2007 | 01:12 AM
  #34  
mopowered's Avatar
mopowered
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Default

Don't scare me like that
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2007 | 11:08 AM
  #35  
wfo76's Avatar
wfo76
Drifting
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,259
Likes: 2
From: MS
Default

Many over the counter crate engines in the 70's were sold with a blank pad. Looks like original broachmarks and a never stamped pad to me so guessing it is an over the counter engine.
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2007 | 06:21 PM
  #36  
mobjack68's Avatar
mobjack68
Instructor
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
From: Covington, Virginia
Default

Originally Posted by noel48
What does "decked" mean?
the block has been machined at the head to block mating surface (where the head gasket goes) and this can be done for several reasons. It is possible for a block to warp, decking a warped block will make it flat and true again. Decking can also be done to raise the compression (NOT RECOMMENDED). To deck a block and remove the sn from the block might require as much as .040 to be removed, which is considerable on that surface. This is most often a grinding process, rather large flat grinding wheel comes into contact with the deck surface and material is removed until the desired results are achieved. Most often, if one side needs to be decked??? both sides get it....
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2007 | 07:13 PM
  #37  
dennis's Avatar
dennis
Drifting
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 91
Default

Originally Posted by 63mako
Looks like original broach marks on the pad to me. Check your casting date in the same spot as your casting # but on the pass side. I have heard of the pad not being stamped (missed) from the factory.
Reply




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:46 PM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE