Engine Stamps

[Everett Ogilvie]

Re: Engine Stamps

You gotta love these threads - they are fun and I love hearing the different points of view on these philosophical issues. I have a Bowtie car, so I am biased towards cars with original engines and patina and well worn parts. BUT, I also feel that the engine is pretty much just another part, and it is smaller and has less mass than the frame - so, why don't we ask "Original frame?" like Jeff mentioned earlier? We HAVE assigned the car's status as First rate or Second rate to the stamp pad. Now, with quality restored stampings and broach marks possible, I don't mind hearing that a pad has been restored b/c the block was decked, or even that a correct casting and date block was found and stamped "correctly". That is just another part of an ACCURATE restoration - restoration means putting lots of non-original parts on the car, why not a block? Now that correctly restored cars are bringing just as much money as unrestored originals (or maybe even more money), we are saying that correctly restored pads are OK with our wallets in addition to our rules. Maybe we will eventually get past saying the original engine makes the car first rate, and anything else makes it second rate.

[Dave - NCRS#24235]

I agree, the engine is just another part.

Corvette restorers should restore as needed. - Dave

[Edward M.]

Re: Engine Stamps

I really enjoy following these restamp discussions, they get so lively! Just one point I would like to add, it is not a federal offense to stamp, restamp, etc. an engine. It is however, a federal offense to remove existing VIN information from an engine. The applicable law is Title 18, Section 511 of the United States Code, "The Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act". The law does allow for the legitimate removal of these numbers if it is reasonably necessary for the repair or restoration of the part (engine, transmission, etc.). 18 USC 511 also states that these repairs must be done in accordance with applicable state law. Therefore, it may be illegal in one state to remove these numbers, and not illegal in another state to do the very same thing. Only your state legislature knows for sure.

[Joe L.]

Re: Engine Stamps

As I've stated many times previously, I'm a "configuration guy" not a "numbers guy" (except for GM PART NUMBERS, of course, because they, generally, DEFINE A CONFIGURATION). I also believe that "numbers" in and of themselves are a PART of configuration. But, they are a VERY SMALL part of configuration.

[Dale Pearman]

Re: Engine Stamps

Oh well Joe, everyone MUST beleive in something. I beleive I'll have another bud longneck!

Varoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooom!

[Art B.]

Re: Engine Stamps

I agree with most of you that NCRS puts too much emphasis on the engine pad, particularly in relation to other parts of the Corvette. I bought a 1957 a few years ago that had a smooth pad because the previous owner had the block resurfaced. He explained that it was a 57 passenger car block. Since it is the same block used on the Corvette what should I consider doing? How many 1957 Corvettes still have their original engine in it? Eighty-eight points is a big hit in the flight judging process. If I have it correctly stamped, am I doing the right thing? When and if I ever sell it, I have no intention of trying to tell the prospective owner it is the original block.

[Robert C.]

Re: Engine Stamps

Remember guys ,that at Bloomington you can't get a gold with a "called" stamp pad. In the NCRS you CAN get a top flight with an obvious restamped pad. If you do a real good job of restoring your pad , you won't have any deduct at all.


NCRS-Texas Chapter

[Dale Pearman]

Re: Engine Stamps

Does morality hinge on the quality of deceit? Remember, the initial post had to do with stamping an engine, not restamping. Please..........my sex life is in limbo!

varooom

[Dale Pearman]

Re: Engine Stamps

As an afterthought, I beleive that ethics does indeed hinge on the quality of morality.

Varoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooom!

[David K.]

Re: Engine Stamps

Dale,I am concerned about your sex life!Did this thread start with,usually while having intimate relations in the bathroom or while with my lady friend.Is this when you worry about engine stampings or engraved PCV valves?

[Mike Hom]

Re: restamps - a different context

For judging purposes, I don't get it. The block is another part - period. If it has the correct casting dates and codes, it's the correct configuration, as Joe said. But I think there is more to it than that. There is a sentimental, or psychological value in knowing that the engine block is the one that was in there on the day it was built, In my mind, it's amazing that a mid-years car would still have the original engine 35 or so years later. Simply amazing. That knowledge is of interest to me and is worth something as far as the financial value I place on the car. But if I know the engine is original, but was restamped after being decked during the engine rebuild process, so what? I don't care! I purchased just such a vehicle about 18 months ago. I have pictures of the engine before and after, yep - it was restamped. I still had that sense of wonderment over the fact that such an old car would still have the original engine. The fact that the numbers might be new times roman instead of helvitica means NOTHING to me. Al this stuff about points, broach marks, etc is a major detraction from what we are supposed to be: The Corvette Restorer's Society. We aim to protect and preserve these wonderful cars. We restore them. Rebuilding the engine, restamping it, is part of restoration.

Yes, I admit it - I even, how do I say this? OK, I DRIVE it! There - I said it. Being out the closet feels so good, but I do worry about the stigma Linda has to carry now that it is common knowledge here on the DB that I will not let my car degenerate into a trailer queen. I feel like I have to wash it after every drive, and yeah, sometimes I think it would sure be a lot easier to keep it looking clean and new if I didn't drive it. But every time I have one of those those fleeting thoughts I drive them away the best way i know how - I take that old (original) L-78 out and jam the pedal to the fiberglass. Neighbors, aquaintences, and strangers are scared s___less when that big block roars by and the side pipes are producing about 120db at 30 feet while the tach reaches 6000 rpm. Yeah, that makes me forget that I am getting the car "dirty" again. And what of those little stamped numbers that might be 10 degrees off? I DON'T CARE! How do you say in America? Zooooooooooooooooom.

[Dave - NCRS#24235]

Dale! No warranty is implied.

I like these remarks. Dale - the morality is in question only if you assert the car is a survivor and was never restored. Asserting that the engine is correct (if you believe that it is) is okay. Now lets take them out and drive them. - Dave