Help me decode this engine stamp

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Feb 19, 2015 | 08:40 PM

Cajun_LS3

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 447

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From: Double Oak TX

Help me decode this engine stamp

1969 coupe with an L46. VIN matches, but the engine ID code confuses me.
V 1 I 2 5 H W. (To be clear, that is the letter "I" following the number "1")

V=Flint, MI
1 I = ??
2 5 = 25th day
H W = 350ci/350hp, no A/C

Feb 19, 2015 | 08:44 PM

emccomas

Team Owner

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 31,497

Likes: 1,313

From: Huntsville AL

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cajun_LS3

The letter "I" is often used to represent the digit "1" in stamped numbers. Common practice with Chevy engines.

So 1 I is 11th month (November).

Feb 19, 2015 | 10:24 PM

Cajun_LS3

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 447

Likes: 5

From: Double Oak TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by emccomas

The letter "I" is often used to represent the digit "1" in stamped numbers. Common practice with Chevy engines.

So 1 I is 11th month (November).

Makes sense. Besides the VIN, is there another stamp that could confirm that 1I=November?

Feb 20, 2015 | 07:32 AM

Revi

Drifting

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 1,615

Likes: 150

From: Forth Worth TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cajun_LS3

Makes sense. Besides the VIN, is there another stamp that could confirm that 1I=November?

The date stamp on the engine (1I= Nov) is when the engine was built at Flint. The partial VIN that is stamped on the engine pad would have been applied in St Louis when the car was built. Your car could have been built a couple of weeks to a couple of months after the engine stamp date (Nov. 11, 1968 or 69). Your Trim Tag located on the drivers side door post will tell you when the car was built.

FYI - my car was built May 18, 1970, but the engine was assembled on March 25, 1970.

Last edited by Revi; Feb 20, 2015 at 07:39 AM.

Feb 20, 2015 | 07:42 AM

gbvette62

Race Director

Joined: Oct 2000

Posts: 12,687

Likes: 3,139

From: Shamong, NJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cajun_LS3

Makes sense. Besides the VIN, is there another stamp that could confirm that 1I=November?

There are no other "stamped" numbers, on the block, but there is a casting date. On the right side of the flange, that the bellhousing bolts to, you will find the date the block was cast. Normally, the block will have been cast within a few days of when the engine was assembled.

Obviously, the block would have to been cast prior to the engine's assembly date. This sounds pretty simple, but I have seen restamped blocks, with casting dates after the assembly date.

Feb 20, 2015 | 08:05 PM

Cajun_LS3

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 447

Likes: 5

From: Double Oak TX

If anyone has pictures of similar instances, I'd love to see them.

Feb 20, 2015 | 08:27 PM

Calo69

Drifting

Joined: Sep 2014

Posts: 1,430

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From: Long beach NY

St. Jude Donor '15-'16, '18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cajun_LS3

Cajun, have same car, can't remember engine code offhand, but a Nov. build. Vin 31xxx you should be close. I'll see if I can get pics tommorow, weather permitting

Last edited by Calo69; Feb 20, 2015 at 08:30 PM. Reason: Add

Feb 20, 2015 | 08:31 PM

Cajun_LS3

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 447

Likes: 5

From: Double Oak TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calo69

Cajun, have same car, can't remember engine code offhand, but a Nov. build. Vin 31xxx you should be close

Thanks. If you have a picture, I'd love to see it.

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Feb 20, 2015 | 08:59 PM

Calo69

Drifting

Joined: Sep 2014

Posts: 1,430

Likes: 59

From: Long beach NY

St. Jude Donor '15-'16, '18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cajun_LS3

Thanks. If you have a picture, I'd love to see it.

If I get to car tommorow I'll get some pics, it's very stock, anything in particular you looking for?
Made mistake before vin is 34xxx should be closer

Feb 21, 2015 | 05:53 AM

#10

Cajun_LS3

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 447

Likes: 5

From: Double Oak TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calo69

If I get to car tommorow I'll get some pics, it's very stock, anything in particular you looking for?
Made mistake before vin is 34xxx should be closer

Mainly just the engine ID code and VIN on the stamp pad.

Feb 21, 2015 | 07:40 AM

#11

Alan 71

Team Owner

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 31,301

Likes: 4,389

From: Westminster Maryland

Hi C,
Here's a picture of a pad on which the 'I' stamp was used in place of the '1' stamp.
The picture was posted on the DB as part of the thread about the pad you're looking at.
Regards,
Alan

Feb 21, 2015 | 08:08 AM

#12

Easy Mike

Team Owner

Joined: Jun 2000

Posts: 38,923

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From: Southbound

Cruise-In II Veteran

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cajun_LS3

...If anyone has pictures of similar instances, I'd love to see them...

Try Google Images. As Ed stated, it is very common to see an alpha I used in place of a numeric 1 in engine stamps. It is also common to see variations of numeric zeroes. Note the two in Alan's pic.^