Engine Code ID Question: "I" or "1"

[Gabe C.]

So I just ran across a 2nd engine stamp in as many weeks that had the same issue: based on all other info on the car, the month of the build date of the Tonawanda block would most likely have been October (in both of these cases, 1969). So, on the engine code ID, I'd expect to see the numbers "10" after the "T". However, I see an "I0". That doesnt make sense to me. Am I missing something? That 2nd character after the letter "T" should be the number "1", not the letter "I", right?

I've been told that Tonawanda routinely stamped the letter "I" when the number "1" was called for. Is this true?

It doesn't seem like there's any consensus on this point. So I'd appreciate your input.

Incidentally, here's a pic of one of the stamps I mentioned. I'm not an engine stamp expert, but I think I see broach marks here (or maybe I just want to see them). Impressions on the characters all seem to be relatively uniform and spacing seems generally OK. Pad edges show wear. Etc...

[Patrick B.]

Re: Engine Code ID Question: "I" or "1"

This is definitely a good original stamp. Both Flint and Tonawanda used used I (and starting 1966 at Tonawanda a version of the I with half the top bar removed) in place of a regular 1. Starting about 1968, regular 1's were added to the mix but the I's were also still used as in the example you provided. This was very typical of 1969 Tonawanda engines.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Engine Code ID Question: "I" or "1"

As I said on the CF it will pass NCRS judging with NO problem.
PS Welcome to the NCRS forum.

[Gabe C.]

Re: Engine Code ID Question: "I" or "1"

Thanks gents, greatly appreciate the feedback.

And, yup, good to be here. I have a mountain of knowledge/experience to soak up (and will probably wind up knowing less than all of you have forgotten), but I'm up for the challenge anyway.

[Gabe C.]

Re: Engine Code ID Question: "I" or "1"

I'm hijacking my own post, but what do you guys think of this trim tag (from same car as above stamp), aside of course from being the wrong paint code from what's actually on the car now? To me, it looks waaaay too clean for a 46 year old car, and it's considerably more dull than the shinier legit trim tags. Is it a repro trim tag?