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"IL" is the suffix code for 1968 427 390HP Manual Trans Corvette The other one is part of the build date. What does the full code read? Should be T0821IL would translate to:
T= Tonowanda
08= August
21= 21st day
IL= 427 390HP
...Was just wondering about the number 1 after the 2. It looks like an i not a 1...
Alpha Is were often used in place of numeric 1s. You will also run across different numeric zeroes. If you're shopping for cars, the NCRS Judging Guide can be a big help.
Sometimes, the 'correct' stamp for a letter or number might have gotten "lost" on the line. The one doing the stampings would find an appropriate "substitute" stamp to insert.
ie, small letter "l" for a number 1, etc. This happened more often than GM would like....
0 8 2 I 1 L
0 is fine, and as expected
8 is fine, and as expected
2 is fine, and as expected
Capital letter I (I cannot find the correct font to show the upper and lower cross bars), used interchangeably with the digit 1 to indicate the number one.
Now here is the interesting part, the digit 1 is being used to represent the capital letter I
L is fine, and as expected
So, the capital letter I is used to represent both the capital letter I, and the digit 1 when an number is needed. Seen this many times, no big surprise.
But, using the digit 1 to represent the capital letter I is somewhat unusual. I don't think it is wrong, or that the stamp is bad, but it is a bit unusual. I do not recall seeing this before, or if I did, I didn't recognize it for what it was.
Good pad stamp, no doubt in my mind, but a bit unusual in that regard.
It seems to me the I - 1, are reversed. 427 was IL
Next to the 2 should be a 1, next to the L should I
that's why I was questioning.
That is a 1 to the left of the L, not an I. Look at the base of 1 and the top, truly a 1..
Last edited by thelal1; Dec 7, 2019 at 08:48 AM.
Reason: Correction
It seems to me the I - 1, are reversed. 427 was IL
Next to the 2 should be a 1, next to the L should I
that's why I was questioning.
That is a 1 to the left of the L, not an I. Look at the base of 1 and the top, truly a 1..
I think that style I looks more like a 1 as well, and is a little concerning.
Is it possible that the line worker that set up the gang stamp accidentally switched the I and 1 and said screw it? They never thought that 50 years later anyone would care about production stamps on a Chevrolet engine. This is far more likely than somebody attempting to carefully restamp a block messing up the two digits, especially considering the quality of the pad surface, the proper code, and correct character shapes.
Last edited by JohnnyQuik; Dec 7, 2019 at 11:32 AM.
To me if I was going to keep it forever, okay. If reselling someone might question that and there is always the thought of restamp. The vin stamp is alot deeper than engine code also, could be a slight decking issuing.
Last edited by thelal1; Dec 7, 2019 at 11:57 AM.
Reason: Spelling
To me if I was going to keep it forever, okay. If reselling someone might question that and there is always the thought of restamp. The vin stamp is alot deeper than engine code also, could be a slight decking issuing.
the vin stamp was done at St. Louis and the engine assembly stamp at Tonawonda.
Not unusual at all to mix 1's and I's on an assembly suffix stamp.
Can you provide another example of where the digit 1 is used in place of the letter I in an engine suffix code.
I believe that part of this is very unusual.
The letter I and the digit 1 are often used interchangeably is the ASSEMBLY DATE part of the engine stamp, not in the ENGINE SUFFIX CODE part of the engine stamp.
...another thing too here that's interesting is that this is in a super early '68 Corvette #00712. It would be neat to contact Al Grenning and see if he had pics of any other very early '68 IL 427 engines near that date(or on it) of 0821('67). He literally has thousands, if not ten thousand or more engine pad pics. I have attended several of his "engine pad judging schools" and he's probably one of the most knowledgeable individuals on Chevy small & big block pads, if not the most knowledgable. If you've ever been to one of his classes, the information he shares is fantastic.
