Weird Block Stamping

[Mark Kane (26411)]

I ran across a weird block stamping today and wondered if any of you have come across anything like this before. The engine assembly was V0413XXB with another X overstiking the B and the correct MO stamp above the first two X's. Casting number and date were correct for a '67 Z-28 as was the crank. Any thoughts on what this is all about? BTW, the motor has been at a friend's place for 25 years and is not a restamp. Thanks in advance, Mark.

[Joe Lucia (12484)]

Re: Weird Block Stamping

Mark-----

What you describe was a practice not uncommon at the engine manufacturing plants and the vehicle assembly plants. If an engine stamping was "mis-struck" (i.e. the wrong code stamped), they would "X"-out" the incorrect characters and restamp the correct ones above or below. Usually, if too many characters were mis-struck to correct this way, they would use a die grinder to crudely grind off the incorrect stamping and restamp another on the "fresh" surface. I've seen more than a few of these.

The folks at the time were not really concerned about "judging considerations" years hence. But, these things do create a lot of consternation for folks who end up with them today. They are certainly "not typical of factory production" so the owners usually have to document their originality in the "judging environment".

[Loren Lundberg (912)]

Ordinarily, this would be viewed as just "one of

those things" - but I'm, unforunately, old enough to remember the PR & such about the assembly of 67 Z-28 motors - special technicians, special area, etc. - Doesn't sound like restamp city - maybe re warranty motor city by a dealer........

[Mark Kane (26411)]

Re: Weird Block Stamping

Thanks Joe,

I appreciate you taking the time to respond. I just got pics of the block and it has a fair amount of rust from stitting for 25 years. It's been a long time since I rebuilt a block, but I recall some concern in the past regarding rusty blocks. Is this a problem or something that can be cleaned up? Thanks again, Mark.

[Chuck Sangerhausen (20817)]

Re: Weird Block Stamping

Mark, generally the first step at any motor machine shop is to boil out the block in a hot vat; the blocks come out looking pretty much new.

While it's there, and before you spend at lot of money rebuilding a rusty, 25-year-old block, you will probably want to have the block inspected for cracks by magna fluxing, have the crank bearing journals align-bored (if necessary), and depending on the condition of the cylinder bores, bored and honed for oversize pistons (if necessary).