Partial vin missing from engine pad
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,788
Likes: 131
Partial vin missing from engine pad
I have been informed by the owner of a 70 vette that it is quite common in 1970 for cars NOT to have this information stamped on the blocks. It does have VxxxxCTH stamped in the pad, a 350hp car. The four numbers relate to the build date.
I have never heard of this. Does anyone know if this is remotely true ?
I have never heard of this. Does anyone know if this is remotely true ?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
I have been informed by the owner of a 70 vette that it is quite common in 1970 for cars NOT to have this information stamped on the blocks. It does have VxxxxCTH stamped in the pad, a 350hp car. The four numbers relate to the build date.
I have never heard of this. Does anyone know if this is remotely true ?
I have never heard of this. Does anyone know if this is remotely true ?
Rick B.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
I think I've seen the number being shown as stamped near the oil filter in my AIM. Never seen an example of this. I'd imagine the NCRS judging manual would note this if it's legit.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Yup-
"In the first three to five days of 1970 production an alternate location was used for the serial number derivative. Look for this number above the oil filter, on the side of the case, just in front of the bell housing..."
"In the first three to five days of 1970 production an alternate location was used for the serial number derivative. Look for this number above the oil filter, on the side of the case, just in front of the bell housing..."
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
The second exception occurs when a clear stamp cannot be made on the pad, even after trying it a couple of times and grinding out the misstamped derivitives. In that instance, the alternate location near the oil filter was used for the stamp locatin.
Both of these are rare. "Common" is the stamp on the pad.
I'm wondering whether your 70 owner is covering for a replacement engine.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
He is mistaken. All C3s have a VIN derivitve stamped on the block pad. There are two exceptions: extremely early 70s had the VIN derivitive stamped near the oil filter.
The second exception occurs when a clear stamp cannot be made on the pad, even after trying it a couple of times and grinding out the misstamped derivitives. In that instance, the alternate location near the oil filter was used for the stamp locatin.
Both of these are rare. "Common" is the stamp on the pad.
I'm wondering whether your 70 owner is covering for a replacement engine.
The second exception occurs when a clear stamp cannot be made on the pad, even after trying it a couple of times and grinding out the misstamped derivitives. In that instance, the alternate location near the oil filter was used for the stamp locatin.
Both of these are rare. "Common" is the stamp on the pad.
I'm wondering whether your 70 owner is covering for a replacement engine.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
I didn't know there was a specified 'alternate location' for the block stamp...but it makes sense to have one. Surely, there were more than a few cars that failed testing due to engine problems when they completed final assembly. If some required a new replacement engine, the pad was clear to apply the proper numbers. But, you still had the engine that was removed and I'm sure GM didn't just scrap them; they were probably reworked back to good condition and had the existing pad numbers ground off. It would make sense that the 'new' restamp (when installed into another assembly line car) might be put near the oil filter instead of on the manually reground pad.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,962
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From: Schererville IN
