Pad Date Number 9

[George M.]

I own a '65 300hp with the original block with the correct date and casting numbers. The block was decked and restamped but when it was judged they pointed out that the number nine (9) for the Pad Date should be a straight tailed nine (9) not a curved tailed as in this font (9).

Also what is the correct positioning for the Pad VIN and Pad Date on the pad.

I look forward to your assistance before I go through the effort and expense to restamp it to NCRS and Bloomington Gold specs.

GM

[Michael W.]

Re: Pad Date Number 9

Did you also get a deduction for the pad appearance?

[George M.]

Re: Pad Date Number 9

No I did not get a deduct as I had the block re-broached prior to stamping.

GM

[Tom H.]

Re: Pad Date Number 9

You will see some slight variations in the positioning of the stamps as they were done by hand at two different times, by two different workers.

[Michael W.]

Re: Pad Date Number 9

So if I understand correctly, you got a 25 point deduct due to a judge's opinion that one character in the engine code was not typical. The pad surface and VIN derivative was OK.

I think I'd leave well enough alone.

[George M.]

Re: Pad Date Number 9

It was a 50 point deduct as the judges did not like the way the VIN and engine code were aligned. Also at Bloomington I received a Silver because the (9) deviates from Typical Factory Production (TFP) so it was automatically puts the car in the Silver Award Column even though the car qualified for Gold in all the other judging catagories.

[Joel F.]

Re: Pad Date Number 9

George,

Can you post a picture of your pad?

I'd discuss the situation with the outfit that stamped your block.

[Michael W.]

Re: Pad Date Number 9

To initiate the re-restamping of your block, it would have to be re-decked yet once again, and re-rebroached prior to stamping. Blocks have only so much metal to give up, each successive machining reduces the deck height- which then may become detectable. If that's not a concern, there's no guarantee that the latest effort in restoration would not introduce some other factor that's not typical of factory production.

Seems to me that you're better off with the devil you know. Just my opinion.

[George M.]

Re: Pad Date Number 9

Michael.................I understand what you are saying, as there is only a certain amount that can be removed from the deck without having interference problems.

I think I will live with it, but I sure would like to know the answer to the correct '9' font. I do have pictures of the re-stamping, but do not know how to attach to the discussion.

GM

[Bill H.]

Re: Pad Date Number 9

Not sure if I understand the question but when I look at the 9 on my block it looks like you described. Mine is a 65 327 250 hp 2nd owner car. correct dated and stamped, untouched car.

[George M.]

Re: Pad Date Number 9

Bill.............The VIN number '9' is not the font in question, it is the Pad Date Suffix '9' that is said to be incorrect.

Thank you for your input.

GM

[George M.]

Re: Pad Date Number 9

George,

Can you post a picture of your pad?

I'd discuss the situation with the outfit that stamped your block.

Joel....................I think I have successfully attached the picture of my pad.

GM

[Mark P.]

Re: Pad Date Number 9

When I OJ'd 65 Mechanicals at the Tahoe Regional in May the issue I remember was the VIN was not low enough. The standard gang should have been lower on the pad to clear the head.

The issue with the 9 is that the judges could not get comfortable that this type of 9 was ever used for an assembly stamp.

I believe the pad got all 38 points for the broach and surface though.

The car was really well done.

[George M.]

Re: Pad Date Number 9

Mark...................Thank you for your reply. I will attach a couple of pictures I have received of original VIN stamps that are located very similiar.

Yes, I only received points for the pad and broaching. No points for VIN or the Pad Date/Suffix. I will attach that picture also.

I look forward to your reply and additional conversation.

Best regards,

GM

[Mark P.]

Re: Pad Date Number 9

The pad you just attached has the VIN slightly lower than the assembly stamp while your pad it is the inverse. The 9 on the pad you just attached looks quite different than what was used on your pad.

Stamp pads are a real tough area if you want to redo it. You should talk to people who have been through regional or national judging with a rebroached and restamped pad and see if they have had consistent success. If so I could sure use a referral. I got to OJ again at the SJ Nationals last week and the scrutiny over stamp pads was extremely high. You should consider taking some high resolution digital pictures of your pad and compare it to an unmolested pad and see if your pad would compare OK under an extreme close-up. I was amazed of how much detail you can see in a digital camera. Some judges were using this technique in San Jose. Also, the outdoor lighting at Tahoe may have prevented some of the detail from coming through versus an indoor venue.