1970 LS5 Engine Pad Stamp Question- Factory Grind Out or .... ?

[Steven S.]

Hi. I am looking at buying a low mileage, 1970 LS5 convertible here in the NY area. The car is in great condition, and everything is date coded within NCRS specs.

The engine pad stamp looks a little strange to me, but some people have told me that 1970 was a strange year, after the strike, and that this was a unique year, in that many blocks were stamped strange.

The car comes with the original Protecto Plate, Window Sticker, and Tank Sticker. The block was cast on April 8, 1970, and was Stamped on April 28th, 1970. The build date of the car is May 22, 1970. It is a 454/390 Automatic car, with PS, PB, AM/FM, and a 2.73 rear.

The Protecto Plate has the same Pad Stamp Date and Suffix Code of :
T0428CGW, as well as the correct Transmission and Rear End Codes.

The car looks like the real deal, especially since it is just an Automatic transmission, and not a 4 speed.

Please have a look at the stamped pad, and let me know your opinions, as to it being real or not. I have also posted a copy of the Tank Sticker and Protecto Plate.

Thank you in advance,

Steve

[Monte M.]

Re: 1970 LS5 Engine Pad Stamp Question- Factory Grind Out or .... ?

Steve,
It is interesting that where the two letters that are out of place have no broach marks under them. In fact, it looks like there are file marks going the opposite way.

I actually see a number of things that just do not look right.
If you are buying it to enjoy driving and it is priced really fair, you have to decide what you want to do with the car.
If you are looking for a correct/collectible car and it is priced like that,

NO QUESTION, KEEP LOOKING

[Patrick B.]

Re: 1970 LS5 Engine Pad Stamp Question- Factory Grind Out or .... ?

I think this is a factory grind out. The 2 is a pretty distictive Tonawanda character and this pad has the right one. Narrow 4's are seen on Tonawanda blocks even though wide 4's are more common. The 8 is upside down, not likely in a restamp, and there is double stamp bounce that is seen on some factory stamps. Also, the VIN is perfect. This is the kind of car that will get an argument at every judging but is almost certainly original.

[Dick W.]

Re: 1970 LS5 Engine Pad Stamp Question- Factory Grind Out or .... ?

I think this is a factory grind out. The 2 is a pretty distictive Tonawanda character and this pad has the right one. Narrow 4's are seen on Tonawanda blocks even though wide 4's are more common. The 8 is upside down, not likely in a restamp, and there is double stamp bounce that is seen on some factory stamps. Also, the VIN is perfect. This is the kind of car that will get an argument at every judging but is almost certainly original.

I was leaning toward being a factory faux pas, but you verified it for me. I have a few examples of C-3 grind outs and this one is not much different that those.

Steve, if you like the car, go for it.

[Don H.]

Re: 1970 LS5 Engine Pad Stamp Question- Factory Grind Out or .... ?

If that paper is proven real, I am very comfortable with that funky stamp. It is just crazy enough to fly.

[Mark D.]

Re: 1970 LS5 Engine Pad Stamp Question- Factory Grind Out or .... ?

Bring it to a Regional or National and you won't likely encounter any problem whatsoever. I know one of the judges and he will probably ask if he can take a picture to use as an excellent example of a factory grindout.

[Michael J.]

Re: 1970 LS5 Engine Pad Stamp Question- Factory Grind Out or .... ?

Also, the VIN is perfect. This is the kind of car that will get an argument at every judging but is almost certainly original.

+1, the judges really go after "perfect" looking VIN stamps don't they?

[Dick W.]

Re: 1970 LS5 Engine Pad Stamp Question- Factory Grind Out or .... ?

Bring it to a Regional or National and you won't likely encounter any problem whatsoever. I know one of the judges and he will probably ask if he can take a picture to use as an excellent example of a factory grindout.

If he can get his belly out of the way so he can bend over far enough

[Michael W.]

Re: 1970 LS5 Engine Pad Stamp Question- Factory Grind Out or .... ?

Those are viewed as the suspicious ones.

+1, the judges really go after "perfect" looking VIN stamps don't they?

[Monte M.]

Re: 1970 LS5 Engine Pad Stamp Question- Factory Grind Out or .... ?

You guys have opened my eyes up a bit. I have seen a few of these in my day not knowing what they were.

Part of what threw me in the other direction was just past the last number in the vin, it looks like there might have been another number hiding under there. The combination of the two make me think that something might have been going on.

Also, the last thing that would make me think something is real is the "8" being up side down. I have heard guys talking about just that. Throw something in there that no forger would ever think of. For example: a forged document, rule No 1. Never put a signature right on the line it was meant to be on. Sign it as if you were not looking. Again, most people would think a signature a line too low would never be a forgery.

Just saying, they are getting awfully smart and creative.

But, honestly guys. Thank you for the lesson. I know more today than yesterday.

Monte

[Mark D.]

Re: 1970 LS5 Engine Pad Stamp Question- Factory Grind Out or .... ?

If he can get his belly out of the way so he can bend over far enough

Watch it, farm boy:-)

[Kenneth B.]

Re: 1970 LS5 Engine Pad Stamp Question- Factory Grind Out or .... ?

It's funny how many of these threads start on the CF site & then end up here. I wonder if a NCRS member is posting for someone else or is the poster looking for a second opinion. It seems like they always post on the CF first.

[Tim G.]

Re: 1970 LS5 Engine Pad Stamp Question- Factory Grind Out or .... ?

With the supporting paperwork, I wouldn't be concerned about this pad. I feel it is legitimate. The remainder of the pad should fit in with cars near the VIN of this car to validate the stamp.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: 1970 LS5 Engine Pad Stamp Question- Factory Grind Out or .... ?

Steve,
It is interesting that where the two letters that are out of place have no broach marks under them. In fact, it looks like there are file marks going the opposite way.

I actually see a number of things that just do not look right.
If you are buying it to enjoy driving and it is priced really fair, you have to decide what you want to do with the car.
If you are looking for a correct/collectible car and it is priced like that,

NO QUESTION, KEEP LOOKING

This is why I have a problem with some of the NCRS judges when it comes to block stampings! NUF SAID

[Rich G.]

Re: 1970 LS5 Engine Pad Stamp Question- Factory Grind Out or .... ?

The bottom line is nobody knows. You can get all the opinions you want but none of them are more than educated guesses based upon observing other pads that may or may not have been factory grind outs.

I have a 68 with tank sticker and POP. The ViN is a grind out. There are pictures somewhere in the archives. The consensus here was it COULD be a factory grind out, yet when it was judged it was questioned. The only consequence of this issue is resale as far as I'm concerned. I thought about doing the pad "certification" offered by one of our members. I probably will if I ever decide to sell. Then it is what it is. Then maybe I'll have a piece of paper that says " it COULD be a factory grind out."

Rich