Engine Code Gone....Is my engine worthless? (originality-wise)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2013
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From: West Michigan
Engine Code Gone....Is my engine worthless? (originality-wise)
I'm pulling the engine from my 70. It's an L46. I am going to swap in a newer 350 from a truck. Before I pulled it I was planning on documenting the engine running and some engine codes on video. When I inspected the block the engine code is not there. There is a 9 digit alpha numeric code that is obviously hand stamped (double strikes and very crooked). I am the 3rd owner. The second owner told me he had the engine rebuilt in the '80s. I'm guessing the rebuilder milled the block and stamped his own code into it (possibly for warranty or reputation reasons).
Can the code be retrieved? I recall hearing about a method using iron filings and a magnet to cause the code to show up.
I was planning on putting this engine on a cradle, bagging it, and storing it in hopes that it might increase the value of the car if I were to sell it. But If I can't prove the engine "matches" the car then it has no more value than any other 1970 L46 and I may as well sell it.
Any opinions are welcome. Thanks.
Can the code be retrieved? I recall hearing about a method using iron filings and a magnet to cause the code to show up.
I was planning on putting this engine on a cradle, bagging it, and storing it in hopes that it might increase the value of the car if I were to sell it. But If I can't prove the engine "matches" the car then it has no more value than any other 1970 L46 and I may as well sell it.
Any opinions are welcome. Thanks.
Melting Slicks
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From: Palatine, Peoples Republic of Illinois
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Why don't you post a picture of what you have? I think the methods you're talking about are used primarily by the FBI or other high end crime labs. They would probably cost more to perform than you would gain in value. You might be better off seeing if the second owner had any documentation of the rebuild since this is a common problem.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2013
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From: West Michigan
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi w,
I think the block you have is worth hanging on to. It still is the block with the right casting number and date for your car!
Are other numbered and dated parts like the carb, intake, heads, exhaust manifolds, fuel pump and water pump still there? They would CERTAINLY be valuable if the car was ever to be put back into original condition.
Regards,
Alan
I think the block you have is worth hanging on to. It still is the block with the right casting number and date for your car!
Are other numbered and dated parts like the carb, intake, heads, exhaust manifolds, fuel pump and water pump still there? They would CERTAINLY be valuable if the car was ever to be put back into original condition.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 103
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From: West Michigan
Raphiki -I am still in contact with the original owner. Nearly every time I see him I ask him if he has uncovered any documents. I'm not holding my breath. He's not the kind of guy that retains documents. And it's been 15 years since I bought it from him. Meanwhile he's gotten divorced and moved twice.
Alan - You're right about everything you've said and you've caused me to do alot more thinking. I thought maybe the stuff that I have would be valuable to an owner of another '70 RIGHT NOW. I don't know if I'll ever sell the thing anyway. And I really don't think I'll ever put the original engine back in there. The second owner already lost the original transmission.
I guess I've got some things to think about.
Alan - You're right about everything you've said and you've caused me to do alot more thinking. I thought maybe the stuff that I have would be valuable to an owner of another '70 RIGHT NOW. I don't know if I'll ever sell the thing anyway. And I really don't think I'll ever put the original engine back in there. The second owner already lost the original transmission.
I guess I've got some things to think about.
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This, and the CE stamp makes me think this is not the original engine.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 103
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From: West Michigan
Thanks Easy Mike. That's good and interesting information. My understanding (from the second owner) is that the first owner did circle track racing with it right after he bought it. So maybe he blew the engine and had it replaced under warranty. He also drove it in the winter (it was his only car) almost all the issues with the body occurred with the first owner.
The VIN dates the car to the first few days in June 1970. That means this engine was sitting around for a year or so before it was installed. ????
The VIN dates the car to the first few days in June 1970. That means this engine was sitting around for a year or so before it was installed. ????
Thread Starter
Instructor
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From: West Michigan
So can we assume that this engine was installed in another vehicle in late '69 (for whatever reason) and later taken out of that vehicle and installed in mine?
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Beyond that, it's anybody's guess.