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Old Sep 13, 2017 | 09:59 AM
  #1  
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Default engine number decode

looking at a engine stamp on friends vette.
it's a 1972 - 350 auto cali car, looks all original.



V05"I"7CDJ
my understanding of the decoding, the 4th figure should be a "1" not the letter "I"

CDJ 1972 350 base, tur 400, NB2 K 200 - Vette/SS

is this a bad stamp from factory, or a bad re-stamp?
the vin number is cleanly stamped and straight.
the scuff lines are from us cleaning the gunk off.
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Old Sep 13, 2017 | 10:04 AM
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Originally Posted by riverracer au
...my understanding of the decoding, the 4th figure should be a "1" not the letter "I"...
Alpha Is were used in place of numeric 1s at times, so that's not an issue. The overall configuration is strange, but that does not mean it's a restamp. I get the impression the usual gang stamp may not have been used.

Last edited by Easy Mike; Sep 13, 2017 at 10:06 AM.
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Old Sep 13, 2017 | 10:30 AM
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I would be more concerned if the vin stamp was similar to the engine code stamping. Can you see the broach marks? You can also check the casting number and date at the rear of the block. Date should be D or an early date E.
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Old Sep 13, 2017 | 11:07 AM
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Hi r au,

Here's an example of a gang holder used, and PERHAPS how the individual stamps were stored (in a tray?), at Flint.

Looking at these photos you can see why the spacing and alignment of the characters that compose the engine stamping were TYPICALLY even.

It appears there may have been a gang holder for each engine suffix since the suffix is marked on the holder. That would mean that typically only the date character would need to be changed each day.

Regards,
Alan






Last edited by Alan 71; Sep 13, 2017 at 11:14 AM.
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Old Sep 13, 2017 | 04:29 PM
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Originally Posted by riverracer au
looking at a engine stamp on friends vette.
it's a 1972 - 350 auto cali car, looks all original.



V05"I"7CDJ
my understanding of the decoding, the 4th figure should be a "1" not the letter "I"

CDJ 1972 350 base, tur 400, NB2 K 200 - Vette/SS

is this a bad stamp from factory, or a bad re-stamp?
the vin number is cleanly stamped and straight.
the scuff lines are from us cleaning the gunk off.
Here's a picture from my 1970 Coupe/Auto.
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Old Sep 13, 2017 | 05:18 PM
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Don't think spacing would be off that much using the holder that Alan posted.
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