Another Engine Stamp Question - ?

[Don L.]

Hi all. I have a '67 L79 engine to be rebuilt and put back in a '67 convertible, however, I have some question about the stamp.

I've included a couple photos of the stamp for your consideration and advice as to its legitimacy. I am struggling to see broach marks and it looks to me that the VIN info is poorly aligned, however, the engine derivative looks pretty good to me.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Thanks!

[Leif A.]

Re: Another Engine Stamp Question - ?

Don,
I don't see a "7" at the beginning of the VIN derivative...am I missing something??

[Jimmy G.]

Re: Another Engine Stamp Question - ?

My opinion is a bad restamp Problem is that it is so bad it could be real cause no one would retamp it like that

[Larry E.]

Re: Another Engine Stamp Question - ?

. I am struggling to see broach marks and it looks to me that the VIN info is poorly aligned, however, the engine derivative looks pretty good to me.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Thanks!

Don: After taking many seminars with Al Grenning on Engine Stamps the one thing that stands out from what he said was>
If no broach are present this DOES NOT MEAN THE STAMP IN NOT ORIGINAL. After 50 years or so
of heat/moisture cycling in some cases the broach marks are not detectable to the human eye. Larry

[Don L.]

Re: Another Engine Stamp Question - ?

Don: After taking many seminars with Al Grenning on Engine Stamps the one thing that stands out from what he said was>
If no broach are present this DOES NOT MEAN THE STAMP IN NOT ORIGINAL. After 50 years or so
of heat/moisture cycling in some cases the broach marks are not detectable to the human eye. Larry

Thanks, Larry. I just helped with preparing a nice '66 for flight judging and saw it was weak, at best, on broach marks. The regional judges had no problem with the stamp, which made my day. This one, however, has what looks to be an absence of brach marks, but it also looks like the characters in the VIN stamp are mis-aligned. I will ask for a "straight on" photo to see just how mis-aligned they actually are. I'll post here when received.

Thanks again!

[Leif A.]

Re: Another Engine Stamp Question - ?

Thanks, Larry. I just helped with preparing a nice '66 for flight judging and saw it was weak, at best, on broach marks. The regional judges had no problem with the stamp, which made my day. This one, however, has what looks to be an absence of brach marks, but it also looks like the characters in the VIN stamp are mis-aligned. I will ask for a "straight on" photo to see just how mis-aligned they actually are. I'll post here when received.

Thanks again!

And, missing the number "7" to start the VIN, as mentioned earlier.

[Don L.]

Re: Another Engine Stamp Question - ?

And, missing the number "7" to start the VIN, as mentioned earlier.

Thanks Leif! I was, until you pointed it out, that there should be a "7" as the first character in the VIN. Did this start in 1967? I ask because the '66 I just prepared for Greenville judging does not begin the VIN with the year's character.

[Leif A.]

Re: Another Engine Stamp Question - ?

Thanks Leif! I was, until you pointed it out, that there should be a "7" as the first character in the VIN. Did this start in 1967? I ask because the '66 I just prepared for Greenville judging does not begin the VIN with the year's character.

It should. All midyear Corvette small blocks had the year as the first number and then the last six of the VIN...total of seven digits on the engine pad.

[Don L.]

[Michael J.]

Re: Another Engine Stamp Question - ?

Absolutely, if the year isn't the first digit on a C2's VIN stamp, it is NTFP and most likely a re-stamp.

[Don L.]

Re: Another Engine Stamp Question - ?

Thanks, guys for helping with this.

We're now understanding that this is either not the original engine or it has been re-worked", thereby removing original VIN stamp and attempting to replace it. To me, the derivative stamp looks good but I was always suspicious of the VIN. I have no idea how one stamp could be good and the other not. I learn every day.

Now, a decision needs to be made. Does the owner continue on with restoring to NCRS detail or does he restomod the car. Any advice on what deductions a full or partial "restamp" would have on Mechanical judging? Can the car still Top Flight with this stamp?

[Michael J.]

Re: Another Engine Stamp Question - ?

The entire stamp pad is 88 points. the three items, date and suffix code (25 points), VIN (25 points), and broach marks (38 points) are judged separately. I can't tell from your pictures how the suffix and broach look, but if all you lose is the VIN, that is 25 points. Not a big deal. The engine block casting number and casting date are much more important, so make sure they are TFP. Many cars make top flight with a full stamp pad deduction,

[Joe R.]

Re: Another Engine Stamp Question - ?

I going with Jimmy Gregg as there is nobody going to stamp one that bad. Looks like it another GM job to me and lets remember oxidation wipes out broach marks in less than 50 years!

JR

[Michael J.]

Re: Another Engine Stamp Question - ?

I don't think any NCRS judge would pronounce that VIN stamp as TFP and not deduct.

[Jimmy G.]

Re: Another Engine Stamp Question - ?

I agree Michael possible broach marks but probably not possible engine code - 50 50 VIN not likely but it very well may be real Only the block knows and it cant talk