Engine Stamp Pad
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 447
Likes: 5
From: Double Oak TX
Engine Stamp Pad
Looking at a matching numbers C3 to buy (1970). The stamp pad on the engine was painted orange (VIN and codes still legible). Does this indicate that the engine was re-painted at some point or were they painted originally from the factory? Most stamp pads that I've seen are raw metal.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,849
Likes: 367
From: PHOENIX AZ. WHAT A MAN WON"T SPEND TO GIVE HIS ASS A RIDE
Looking at a matching numbers C3 to buy (1970). The stamp pad on the engine was painted orange (VIN and codes still legible). Does this indicate that the engine was re-painted at some point or were they painted originally from the factory? Most stamp pads that I've seen are raw metal.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,173
Likes: 4,250
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi C,
As others have posted the pads weren't originally painted.
The issue with a painted pad at this point is that depending on how much paint is on the pad it may make looking at the stamped characters themselves somewhat difficult.
It certainly makes looking at the surface appearance of the pad pretty much impossible.
So a paint free pad is probably the first requirement for taking a look at the 'numbers'.
With a painted pad a person needs to be careful how the paint is removed…. NOTHING abrasive should be used. Perhaps lacquer thinner or citrus paint remover.
Regards,
Alan
As others have posted the pads weren't originally painted.
The issue with a painted pad at this point is that depending on how much paint is on the pad it may make looking at the stamped characters themselves somewhat difficult.
It certainly makes looking at the surface appearance of the pad pretty much impossible.
So a paint free pad is probably the first requirement for taking a look at the 'numbers'.
With a painted pad a person needs to be careful how the paint is removed…. NOTHING abrasive should be used. Perhaps lacquer thinner or citrus paint remover.
Regards,
Alan
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,454
Likes: 328
From: Indy Indiana
if you are paying a matching numbers price for the car, then you need to do more homework..
paint on the pad concludes that it has been 'Worked on'. either rebuilt, replaced or whatever.
have the owner remove the paint and look at the casting date of the block also.
paint on the pad concludes that it has been 'Worked on'. either rebuilt, replaced or whatever.
have the owner remove the paint and look at the casting date of the block also.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 447
Likes: 5
From: Double Oak TX
Thanks. The numbers are still easy to read as is the casting date and suffix. I would've preferred to see the raw metal to make sure it hadn't been blocked and re-stamped. Casting date seems consistent with the VIN sequence (June date and late VIN). Just a little worried about "work" that may have been done. Thanks again for the replies.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski