Engine block Serial Number
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
Likes: 5
From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
That pad is the only place it's going to be. If the engine was milled, then there's no way to verify it. It's a great touch, when they restamp after milling. But very rare.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,278
Likes: 4,372
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi I,
I've heard discussions about a liquid material (acid?) that can be put on the decked block surface that sometimes makes the original stamped characters legible. I think it has something to do with the way the smash of the stamp affects the iron molecules below what was the visible stamp. $$$???
How important is it?
Regards,
Alan
I've heard discussions about a liquid material (acid?) that can be put on the decked block surface that sometimes makes the original stamped characters legible. I think it has something to do with the way the smash of the stamp affects the iron molecules below what was the visible stamp. $$$???
How important is it?
Regards,
Alan
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
It's called a 'nital etch' and it uses nitric acid [I think]. The area under the stampings is work-hardened by the stamping process. If the block isn't milled so much that it completely eliminates that impression, that process may reveal the original stamping image. If it does, take a digital photo of it...it won't last long.
