How Much is engine worth
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
". . . . the last five digits, which are the sequential build (serial) number."
The book also mentions engines being stamped incorrectly: "There are some factory variations, such as the final assembly plant grinding off poor or erroneous stampings, and restamping serial number identfication."
That's pretty much what I had to go on and I interpreted "Serial number" as just that . . the engine serial number stamped at the engine plant. If it was stamped at the final assembly plant, why would they be grinding it off to correct it?
So I checked the numbers on my own car, and found that the "Serial Number" on the block ends in the same 7 digits as the VIN number on the car, creating the link to an individual car.
Therefor I have my answer. I cannot get a 'correct' motor for this car as we could back in the old days ('82 is a 'late model' to me).
The book also mentions engines being stamped incorrectly: "There are some factory variations, such as the final assembly plant grinding off poor or erroneous stampings, and restamping serial number identfication."
That's pretty much what I had to go on and I interpreted "Serial number" as just that . . the engine serial number stamped at the engine plant. If it was stamped at the final assembly plant, why would they be grinding it off to correct it?
So I checked the numbers on my own car, and found that the "Serial Number" on the block ends in the same 7 digits as the VIN number on the car, creating the link to an individual car.
Therefor I have my answer. I cannot get a 'correct' motor for this car as we could back in the old days ('82 is a 'late model' to me).
The grind outs and restamps could have been done at either the engine plant and/or the car plant. People make mistakes. If a mistake is made, the stamp was ground out and redone. The mention in the NCRS book is to explain why some pads have been ground out. Sometimes engine were removed for repair after being stamped with the partial VIN and later reinstalled in another car. The stamp pad would be ground out and restamped in this case also.
As for getting a correct motor for a car, Corvettes have had a partial VIN stamped on the block since 1960 IIRC, so when you talk about the 'old days' I assume you're referring to the 50s?
BTW- try to untwist your shorts. If you're going to state information that is blatantly incorrect and has a bearing on answering the OP's question, you can expect people to challenge it. Your first post in this string was just that.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 129
Likes: 1
From: Plano Texas
Mike,
I don't mind being challenged at all. That's a good way to learn . . . if the challenger has the correct information and has some basis for his position . . which obviously you do. But it is contentious to point out an error, particularly in a sacastic maner, without providing the correct answer.
"The old days" to me are when I owned the 50' and early 60's cars, but they were already over 20 years old at the time . . I'm not THAT old. I was actually one of the first members of 'Late Great Chevy' and had one of my cars featured on the cover of their magazine. I also judged for a while, but other than the anique power steering setup and a few other pieces, there is not much that carries over into Corvettes.
The OP asked about determining the value of a Corvette engine, to that end I have this question:
If the factory ground off stampings at the engine plant and also at the final assembly plant and restamped the blocks, then can an otherwise correct motor also be restamped with the new numbers and be considered correct provided the casting date is realistic relative to the car build date?
I read an article quite a few years back about collectors having some form of documentation being generated before an original block was repaired and restamped, but I can't remeber the details. Seems to me it had to do with MBNA's collection which was Deusenbergs, Chords, I think they may have had a Hudson. . . . that level of cars.
Do you know anything about this? Are there 'concourse rules' for judging these type of cars or is it stricktly at the discretion of a recognized appraiser?
I'm very nervous about taking my block to get it sleeved because I've heard too many stories about having the numbers machined off, even after the shop was told not to deck the block. I already got one quote fro a huge production house and the guy said in order to not deck the block, he would have to be there to follow the block thru production.
I don't mind being challenged at all. That's a good way to learn . . . if the challenger has the correct information and has some basis for his position . . which obviously you do. But it is contentious to point out an error, particularly in a sacastic maner, without providing the correct answer.
"The old days" to me are when I owned the 50' and early 60's cars, but they were already over 20 years old at the time . . I'm not THAT old. I was actually one of the first members of 'Late Great Chevy' and had one of my cars featured on the cover of their magazine. I also judged for a while, but other than the anique power steering setup and a few other pieces, there is not much that carries over into Corvettes.
The OP asked about determining the value of a Corvette engine, to that end I have this question:
If the factory ground off stampings at the engine plant and also at the final assembly plant and restamped the blocks, then can an otherwise correct motor also be restamped with the new numbers and be considered correct provided the casting date is realistic relative to the car build date?
I read an article quite a few years back about collectors having some form of documentation being generated before an original block was repaired and restamped, but I can't remeber the details. Seems to me it had to do with MBNA's collection which was Deusenbergs, Chords, I think they may have had a Hudson. . . . that level of cars.
Do you know anything about this? Are there 'concourse rules' for judging these type of cars or is it stricktly at the discretion of a recognized appraiser?
I'm very nervous about taking my block to get it sleeved because I've heard too many stories about having the numbers machined off, even after the shop was told not to deck the block. I already got one quote fro a huge production house and the guy said in order to not deck the block, he would have to be there to follow the block thru production.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
If the factory ground off stampings at the engine plant and also at the final assembly plant and restamped the blocks, then can an otherwise correct motor also be restamped with the new numbers and be considered correct provided the casting date is realistic relative to the car build date?
I read an article quite a few years back about collectors having some form of documentation being generated before an original block was repaired and restamped, but I can't remeber the details. Seems to me it had to do with MBNA's collection which was Deusenbergs, Chords, I think they may have had a Hudson. . . . that level of cars.
Do you know anything about this? Are there 'concourse rules' for judging these type of cars or is it stricktly at the discretion of a recognized appraiser?
Is it now the 'original' 'matching numbers' engine?
Is it ethical to present it as the original engine?
Is it legal or is it fraud?
What do you tell a purchaser at time of sale?
As for judging, I assume your are restricting your questions to Corvettes. I can only speak from my experience with the NCRS. During Flight Judging, no attempt is made to establish the authenticity of the engine- or any other component on a car. NCRS does not certify engines or cars, merely states that the component/car looks typical of regular factory production.
There's a big difference between 'looks like' and 'certified authentic'. Most participants in the hobby overlook that distinction.
I would at this point suggest that if you want to continue this discussion you start a new thread. This one has been hijacked twice.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
From: Nice Lake Ontario
What I meant was my line of thought was led to believe a 82 vette engine was worth $10K 
Pretty simple, in my unstanding is that 82 vette engine is not worth a penny more than any other 350 ci 2 bolt main engine UNLESS you have the car it's serial number matchs!
Pretty simple, in my unstanding is that 82 vette engine is not worth a penny more than any other 350 ci 2 bolt main engine UNLESS you have the car it's serial number matchs!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,504
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
Pretty simple, in my unstanding is that 82 vette engine is not worth a penny more than any other 350 ci 2 bolt main engine UNLESS you have the car it's serial number matchs![/QUOTE]
And with the way prices are today, it's probably worth more for scrap than it is as an engine.
And with the way prices are today, it's probably worth more for scrap than it is as an engine.
