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Hi S,
I think it would be a good idea to remove the paint from the pad at this point, (There wasn't any on the pad when the pad was stamped at the Flint engine plant and at St.Louis.)
This will help you to see the surface of the pad.
DO NOT use ANYTHING abrasive to remove the paint. Use something like lacquer thinner or citrus paint stripper.
Seeing the pad surface MAY give a clue as to what's going on with the VIN derivative stamp.
???
Regards,
Alan
Here's an example of the type of 'gang' holder used for the stamp. (You can see the container for the individual stamps, the hammer, and even the glove.)
It's easy to see how a mistake COULD be made…but that seems to have rarely happened. When it did it was often caught and a 're-stamp' of some type was done.
Do you say not to use anything abrasive because of the possibility of degrading the visibility of the numbers or is there another reason? My block had the numbers painted over but it was chipped away to reveal. I would like to clean up the rest of the pad. The numbers are still in good shape and deep
Your car(VIN 13695) was built in Feb. 69 and the engine (V0114HY) was built Jan. 14, 1969 (We would need to see the casting date to confirm 1969). HY indicates a 1969, 350/300, 4v, m/t 4 spd.
What does the stamp on the transmission show? The engine and transmission were stamped at the same time, using the same gang stamp.
As Alan71 explained, just use a soft cloth and some lacquer thinner to remove the paint from the pad.
Hi H,
When the block was 'broached' at the engine assembly plant the machine left faint but distinct 'marks' on the pad surface. The marks run perfectly straight and parallel with the cylinder bores.
Both big blocks and small blocks have the marks.
Seeing the marks is part of the information used to determine if the stamp is likely to be original.
Using a wire brush or emory cloth on the pad to remove paint often damages the 'broach' marks.
So be careful!
Regards,
Alan
This is an example of 'broach' marks on a bb. Notice the very straight and very parallel faint lines. It would be 'impossible'(?) to change the stamps without disrupting the broach marks.
Are my number matching
