Restamp ?

[robber6910]

In one of the shots from the link, there is a stamping that reads "HI PERF TRUCK PASS". Wouldn't that mean this block originally came out of a '67 truck?

[T Billigen]

That last letter looks like a restamp, I think those numbers were in a gang stamp and should all be the same? I have seen some different size stamps on 409 pads but they were hand stamped and used a 1/4 inch stamp for "F" for flint cars, where the rest of the letters and numbers were3/16. What are these numbers in the photo from? But I guess anything is possible. I have seen pictures of blocks with part of the casting number ground off and different numbers stamped on at the factory!

[allcamaro]

The vin numbers are stampted one at a time as I remember and could be deeper on a each digit basis but I do not rememmber ever seing a diffrent number ar letter size or type used in a vin on the same pad.

Maby the guy at the factory lost or damaged his three before he could get this one stampted and used a odd number from another stamping kit so as not to hold up the line.

[Keith Tedford]

The VIN numbers were in a gang stamp and hit with a hammer. Depending upon how the stamp was held the letters could be deeper at the top or bottom but would always be in line. This certainly looks like a restamp to me.

[69L89396]

This is a restamp. Look real close at the VIN number spacing. They should all be the same.

[shor]

the first group of three's have a flat top, wheras the last three has a rounded type top.

[shor]

I just visited the link and it looks like the seller took some great digital pictures of the item.

[TimG]

I have a number of 68 pad tracings. I am looking at the Tonawanda engine build stamp. These should be consistant through the whole Chevrolet line as they built and stamped all big blocks at this plant in 1968. The whole stamp looks very light. The stamp should be heavier. Six looks OK, the first 1 is represented as an "I" as it should although it should have a line on the top and botton that extends to the left and right of the verticle line. The first I is close to correct although the second I is not close to correct. I do not see any broach marks on the pad and have noticed there are no good shots of the full deck where the numbers are stamped. These broach marks extend the length of the deck and I will always take a picture of this if I photograph a block. The numbers are crooked, at times the motor designation (last two letters on engine build stamp) was stamped separately and could be crooked. In this case, the T and the build date are all out of line. I would question this stamp and be very hesitant about the purchase. It could be the original engine with a restamp of the block after decking. Again no broach marks or pictures of the whole deck with the broach marks continueing past the pad stamp.
One note, when the plant sharpened the broach machine they first decked the high performance four bolt blocks. If you look at any four bolt big block the broach is very heavy due to the sharp broach machine.


[Edited by TimG (05-27-2002 at 11:40 AM).]

[Stefano]

TimG,
I hesitate to formalize an opinion on an item which I have not seen in person. I do agree that the first thing I noticed was that there were no visable broach marks.

The seller took quite a few pictures, but left out the most important picture (the deck and pad together) which could help verify the original pad stamping.

The pad was ,in my opinion decked at some point in its past life.

It is however,a very desirable dated L-78 Block.

[TimG]

Right, it is best to see this block in person. I feel the block has been decked at some time.