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I assume you are thinking what I am thinking...factory regrind.
The original suffix code of LA (427 / 390 hp in a passenger car) is clearly visible. Changed to a suffix code of LM (427 / 390 hp in a Corvette).This is a late production (Dec of 1969, build date Q03) car that was banged up about 30 years ago.
It has been in dry storage since then.
I think that the changes between LA and LM were intake manifold, exhaust manifolds, carburetor, distributor.
There seem to be an inordinate number of 69 engine pad "corrections", relative to other years.
OK - school me on this one - I am not familiar with factory regrinds. How does one determine a factory regrind??? Thanks BK3
Al Grenning and MIke Antonick both wrote articles for The Restorer (NCRS publication) about engine pad grind outs.
"Factory Engine Pad Regrinds", M. Antonick, Winter 1996 issue
"Real Life 1963-1967 Engine Pads", A. Grenning, Spring 1995
"Looking at Engine Pads from a New Angle", A. Grenning, Fall 1994.
Hi bkv,
In my mind the 'uglier' the grind out is, the more likely it is that it was done at during production.
They did some real BEAUTIES!
Regards,
Alan
Al Grenning and MIke Antonick both wrote articles for The Restorer (NCRS publication) about engine pad grind outs.
"Factory Engine Pad Regrinds", M. Antonick, Winter 1996 issue
"Real Life 1963-1967 Engine Pads", A. Grenning, Spring 1995
"Looking at Engine Pads from a New Angle", A. Grenning, Fall 1994.
Thanks - will research the above. Is there archived articles on the NCRS site??? Would love to read these articles and learn.
OK - school me on this one - I am not familiar with factory regrinds. How does one determine a factory regrind??? Thanks BK3
Much like original broach marks running fore-aft on a block (which are very very difficult to reproduce accurately), factory grind outs mostly have a typical look to them, one characteristic being just how sloppy they were as Alan noted.
They were, like this one, most commonly done before the engine was installed in the car so only the engine code was ground out and restamped and not the VIN.
Although a counterfeiter could possibly grind out and restamp a low HP Corvette engine and make it into a high HP version and maybe get away with it, in this case the engine was originally destined for a different car line. It was ground out and stamped before it left Tonawanda.
Hi,
Not to steal this thread but....
Here's the transmission stamp on my 71.
The code looks fine, but obviously they screwed up the VIN derived stamp. Nice job Xing it out!
It appears they got it right the second time.
Regards,
Alan
'P' Muncie, '1' Model year (not year of production), 'T' December, '21' Day, 'A' Wide Range. Mid January 71 built car.
Thanks - will research the above. Is there archived articles on the NCRS site??? Would love to read these articles and learn.
FYI
I tried to find a Restorer article written by Gene Gamache about "M codes" so that I could read it (I am a member)
Emailed the ncrs web people after my search and they said the archived articles can not be read but if I know the year, I would need to buy the cd $50.
Perhaps someone can make a copy of the article you need.
Hi bkv,
I have those RESTORER issues.
I'll make copies of the articles and mail them to you. (That'll be easier/quicker for me than scanning them.)
Send me a pm with your address, and I'll do it this week.
Regards,
Alan
Factory grind outs are rare, but not as rare as some people think. And there is a "pattern" to them that is recognizable once you start looking at them.
Hi emc,
Your right about the 'patterns'
They're what makes Al G's presentations so interesting... he shows you a pad that you say NO WAY!.... and then he shows you the next one or two in sequence.... and they're just as ugly!
Regards,
Alan