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A while back i thought my engine stamp looked a little off and asked about it on the forum. A Couple of people noticed a weird grove on the it, but was hard to tell since it was painted. I finally was able to remove the paint on the pad. I also tried to compare it to the transmission but it seems it was replaced either through a warranty or over the counter. Was trying to see what everyone might think.
I'm guessing the mark you see is when the block was decked. I'm guessing the engine was rebuilt at some point in its life. Not seeing the broach marks, but hard to tell in a picture. I will say it's hard to determine validity of a stamp through a picture. If you're worried about it there are companies that can determine if it's a restamp or not. I'm not an expert, but I would contact one of those companies to verify.
With that being said, it doesn't mean that it's a restamp. Current machining uses a circular motion for trueing the surface, while originally the factory went in straight lines front <-> back. Do you have the tank sticker or other documentation for the car?
I think its good also but there are some problems with the pad simply because of the decking and a strange space between the 0 and 1. The 19S7 looks good. It has the proper 7 font which is often not correct on many obviuos restamps.
you will need to remove ALL the paint and zoom in a little closer.. i see patina perhaps, but some angled machining marks also.
remove the head and see if the machining marks on the cylinder case surface is the same as your pad surface. a radical move, but it will answer your question.
since your tranny is not original, then look at your dates of your heads, intake and carb, and exhaust manifold. this will increase or decrease also your likelyhood of originality.
Hi,
In the area of the pad with the diagonally marked surface, are the 0108 slightly larger, or slightly above, the rest of the vin derivative stamp?
Regards,
Alan
Fussy Fussy Why do you even care about numbers ? If you like the car enjoy it ! Some of you guys are going to worry yourself into an early grave over originality and numbers .
Fussy Fussy Why do you even care about numbers ? If you like the car enjoy it ! Some of you guys are going to worry yourself into an early grave over originality and numbers .
Because that's what we like. To explain it further to someone who doesn't care is a waste of time.
Hi,
Has there been a clarification as to which is the high side of the 'ledge', and which is the low side.
Wouldn't that affect the answer to "is it a decked block or a grind out?" ?
Regards,
Alan
Hi,
Has there been a clarification as to which is the high side of the 'ledge', and which is the low side.
Wouldn't that affect the answer to "is it a decked block or a grind out?" ?
Regards,
Alan
The arrow to the right shows the higher side. This image shows the rise up to the pad.
The engine was rebuilt prior to when I bought it along with the frame. Unfortunately a lot of the other items on the engine are not original, carb, starter is missing, ignition coil is not original, and the alternator just to name a couple. And alot of parts are missing. Been going through it little by little when i have a chance. Biggest reason really is just to know, either way i am still going to go through the restoration and try and restore it to original with original parts little by little. I had a 69 350 vette in high school and loved it back in the 90's and wish i never got ride of it. This one came up, and i impulsed bought it (without the wife knowing from a seller in NY). So after a few weeks of sleeping outside in the dog house....been going through it to get it road worthy and restored. Hopefully will have it on the road by the end of summer. This forum been great, and thank you for responding quick with question. I am sure i will have many more during this journey.
Thank you
This brings up a question I have had for a long time and maybe it has been answered here.
I understand the idea of decking a block, but I have always wondered if there was a way to do it and save the numbers. Every time it comes up it seems the numbers had been ground off.
Yes. The VIN derivative stamp confirms the model year. (19S720108)
...Have you looked at the VIN #'s issued for 1969 Coupe/Convert. I may be completely misreading the VIN #...1969's production number started with a 700001...
Correct. All 69s had the 7 after the plant code. The first number of the complete consecutive unit number could vary between model years but was consistent through out the production run. As an example, it was a 4 for 68 and 70; a 1 for 71.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Apr 5, 2017 at 02:13 PM.
Hi X,
Yes, I've seen pads that have the ledge on them indicating where the decking was halted to save the original surface and stamped information.
The original decking machine was huge and it's 'knives' left 'lines' in the deck and pad surface that run parallel with the cylinder bores. How recently the 'knives' had been changed determined, to some degree, the appearance of the marks they left. But, they were always parallel to the cylinder bores.
Regards,
Alan
Hi,
In the area of the pad with the diagonally marked surface, are the 0108 slightly larger, or slightly above, the rest of the vin derivative stamp?
Regards,
Alan
I think the 0 was raised a little bit. You can see it a little better in this pic before taking the paint off.
Hi r,
I'm just curious about the uniform diagonal marks on the pad surface in the area of the last 4 digits of the vin derivative.
They appear to only be in that area?
Regards,
Alan
I was more convinced the numbers were good prior to your last photo. There does seem to be a pretty good separation in the last 3 digits with the 0 on the high side. Others may disagree.
Because that's what we like. To explain it further to someone who doesn't care is a waste of time.
That's not a problem for me but the stress will kill you . Stress causes things like high blood pressure, heart disease , diabetes , etc. Is it worth it ? It's not worth the worry ! Have fun with it.
Possible restamp?
Why do you even care about numbers ? If you like the car enjoy it ! Some of you guys are going to worry yourself into an early grave over originality and numbers . 
