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SBC dipstick on drivers (LHS)?

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Old Feb 7, 2024 | 07:33 PM
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Default SBC dipstick on drivers (LHS)?

Question - should the dipstick on a 69 350 have the dipstick on the LHS (drivers) side or the RHS (passengers) side? There looks to be some confusion on this - my engine has it on the LHS (drivers) side. The reason I ask
is that I received a felpro oil pan gasket (one-piece) that appears to have the dipstick hole on the RHS!
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Old Feb 7, 2024 | 08:29 PM
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Should be on the drivers side (LHS). Felpro makes both gaskets, for left or right. Stock 350s for '69 are on the left.
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Old Feb 7, 2024 | 09:03 PM
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All small blocks 57 to 79 have the dipstick on the left (driver's) side. Starting in 1980 the dipstick was moved to the right (passenger) side.
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Old Feb 7, 2024 | 09:19 PM
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You ordered incorrectly.
Someone took the order incorrectly.
Someone put the part in the wrong box.
Someone put the wrong part in the correct box.
Someone was high in shipping & receiving and screwed up.

Take your pick.
Return it.
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Old Feb 7, 2024 | 10:14 PM
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Originally Posted by gbvette62
All small blocks 57 to 79 have the dipstick on the left (driver's) side. Starting in 1980 the dipstick was moved to the right (passenger) side.
I have what I believe is a 1976 small block 350 replacement engine which has the dipstick on the right side (passenger side). It has a 3970010 block casting number with casting date J196. Engine stamp pad is V1022C2N which so far nobody can identify. Likely my engine was originally from another car or truck and not a Corvette which might explain a SB gasket mix-up.

Last edited by Redvette2; Feb 8, 2024 at 10:50 AM. Reason: Clarification...
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Old Feb 8, 2024 | 04:49 AM
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And I have the original engine in my 77 Corvette and I assure you the dipstick is on the left. As it should be. And as it should be on a 76.
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Old Feb 8, 2024 | 11:58 AM
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Originally Posted by Redvette2
I have what I believe is a 1976 small block 350 replacement engine which has the dipstick on the right side (passenger side). It has a 3970010 block casting number with casting date J196. Engine stamp pad is V1022C2N which so far nobody can identify. Likely my engine was originally from another car or truck and not a Corvette which might explain a SB gasket mix-up.
Engine code C2N is problematic, should not have the number 2.
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Old Feb 8, 2024 | 01:36 PM
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Replacement engines (crate engines) can have the stick on both sides. The un used side must be tapped and plugged properly or it creates a large oil leak. Ask me how I know. 🙄
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Old Feb 8, 2024 | 02:03 PM
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Originally Posted by MelWff
Engine code C2N is problematic, should not have the number 2.
Here is a picture of my engine stamp....wonder what else could it be?






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Old Feb 8, 2024 | 02:05 PM
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Originally Posted by wwiiavfan
Replacement engines (crate engines) can have the stick on both sides. The un used side must be tapped and plugged properly or it creates a large oil leak. Ask me how I know. 🙄
Well that make total sense...they don't know which vehicle engine application it is going into and do not have to carry two models. Thanks!
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Old Feb 8, 2024 | 02:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Redvette2
Here is a picture of my engine stamp....wonder what else could it be?
There are other references to C2N on the internet and it appears in all cases nobody knows what it is. Also the other numbers are stamped over it and appear to be too long for a partial VIN of 6 numbers. Do the last 6 numbers match the last 6 of your VIN?
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Old Feb 8, 2024 | 02:46 PM
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Originally Posted by MelWff
There are other references to C2N on the internet and it appears in all cases nobody knows what it is. Also the other numbers are stamped over it and appear to be too long for a partial VIN of 6 numbers. Do the last 6 numbers match the last 6 of your VIN?
No does not match...I guess with a replacement crate engine they may be able to put any code on it. Since there is a VIN like stamp I though it might be an engine taken from another vehicle. It is very strong and acts like it has a cam upgrade as it really goes at higher RPM's. I will check for a drivers side dipstick plug that was mentioned.
Or perhaps the previous owner borrowed an engine and had a good stamping kit....the car was from North Carolina after all.
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Old Feb 8, 2024 | 10:05 PM
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Thanks everyone for the replies -
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Old Feb 9, 2024 | 09:18 PM
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I have never seen a engine stamp like that where it's been stamped over other numbers and letters
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Old Feb 10, 2024 | 04:58 AM
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Originally Posted by socal_tom
I have never seen a engine stamp like that where it's been stamped over other numbers and letters
Notice the broken corner on the smaller pad as well. Likely bought from “Hot Engines Are Us”.
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Old Feb 10, 2024 | 05:19 AM
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I believe your thinking of "Midnight Motors sales".
But seriously. If you were doing a Midnight restamp. One, you certainly wouldn't miss by this much! and Two, look how straight the over stamp is. This was done with a gang stamp.
Midnight motors isn't likely to have such a tool. This looks for all the world like sloppy factory worker work. Not Midnight motors.
And look real close at that lower left corner. That's not broken or chipped. That's as cast. And perhaps why the second stamp was put on a bit high. But then misjudged and went a bit to high. Once stamped, clearly with a gang stamp. The worker said, oh well, close enough, you can still read it. And down the line it went.

Last edited by 4-vettes; Feb 10, 2024 at 05:25 AM.
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Old Feb 10, 2024 | 09:39 AM
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Originally Posted by 4-vettes
I believe your thinking of "Midnight Motors sales".
But seriously. If you were doing a Midnight restamp. One, you certainly wouldn't miss by this much! and Two, look how straight the over stamp is. This was done with a gang stamp.
Midnight motors isn't likely to have such a tool. This looks for all the world like sloppy factory worker work. Not Midnight motors.
And look real close at that lower left corner. That's not broken or chipped. That's as cast. And perhaps why the second stamp was put on a bit high. But then misjudged and went a bit to high. Once stamped, clearly with a gang stamp. The worker said, oh well, close enough, you can still read it. And down the line it went.
Yes but the overstamp should start with a 1 for chevrolet followed by a number for year and a letter for the plant followed by the last 6 of the VIN.

Last edited by MelWff; Feb 11, 2024 at 11:15 AM.
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Old Feb 11, 2024 | 03:15 AM
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I don't know. Mine reads 17S then my 6 digit vin.
are you certain they all read 1, then a letter? I'm certain mine doesn't. And mine clearly isn't over stamped like this.
of course all of this means very little, other than its a non original engine.
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Old Feb 11, 2024 | 11:04 AM
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Sorry to jpatrick62 for hijacking your thread!

Because of trying to figure out my whacky 1968 VIN engine stamp (171428087), I have been collecting pictures of early year C3 Corvette stamps over the years. Do not know if they are original engines or not however in my collection most SB are of the 1XSxxxxxx format. There tends to be a correlation between the year of the car with the second digit as there are 17S (early 1968?), 18S (1968), 19S (1969), 12S (1972) stamps. But not in all cases...a 1970 car has 70S and several 1971 big blocks start with C11S. And then there are a few that had all numbers and 7 digits. But no other VIN over stamps of 9 digits in my collection.

The mystery continues....
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Old Feb 11, 2024 | 11:43 AM
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Originally Posted by MelWff
Yes but the overstamp should start with a 1 for chevrolet followed by a number for year and a letter for the plant followed by the last 6 of the VIN.
When did the engine pads change from long, narrow rectangles to the short, wide pad? (Does it also coincide with the orange to blue color change?)
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