Stamp Pad Experts, please!

[John C.]

Please take a look at the attached photo of my engine stamp pad and gvie me some opinions on it's originality (or lack thereof).

The entire block was rusty so I'm fully aware of the lack of broach marks. I am just wondering about the numbers, letters, etc.

Thank you!

[Tom H.]

Re: Stamp Pad Experts, please!

I'm no expert, by any means. That is a tough call. The last R looks like it doesn't match the first one, but I've seen stranger. Do you know any history of this block ?? How long have you had it ? Looks like a neat block to be a 365 with AC. Pretty good span between assembly date of the block and VIN.

[John C.]

Re: Stamp Pad Experts, please!

I acquired the block when I bought the car. It is a 365HP with air coupe, it has the correct tachometer, compressor, etc.

The block was not in the car and was covered in surface rust and it also didn't have main caps. The block which is in the car is from '68 IIRC and it was stamped as an original would be except it was sooooo obviously the wrong block. The stamp for the engine type was the same size as the serial number so it just looked so wrong even a goob like me could tell it was fake!

I am highly suspect of the '64 block due to the attempted stamping of the '68 block.

[Rich P.]

Re: Stamp Pad Experts, please!

John,

it's hard to tell from the pictures but look inside the depressions made bty the charactures and see if the pitting is in there also. If no pitting in the #'s then I'd have some doubts.

Rich

[Paul J.]

Re: Stamp Pad Experts, please!

I'm certainly no expert either, but should'nt there still be some telltale evidence of broach marks even with the pitting?

Paul

[Rich P.]

Re: Stamp Pad Experts, please!

I'm certainly no expert either, but should'nt there still be some telltale evidence of broach marks even with the pitting?

Paul

Paul,

in most cases yes but I restored a 300hp 67 about 15 years ago and before it was brought to me the car sat outside for 12 years with no hood intake or heads. The stamp # were still there but all traces of broach marks were gone. This was no doubt the original motor from the car as my customer bought it in 71 and was untouched.

Rich

[David L.]

Re: Stamp Pad Experts, please!

In 1964 a 327 Chevrolet Passenger car engine w/M.T. had a stamping that ended in a single letter "R". I believe the original stamping on the block was "F0512R". The partial VIN was NOT stamped on 1964 passenger car engines. I believe only the Corvettes had the partial VIN stamped on the pad. I once owned a 1963 Chevrolet 327 w/M.T. Tonowanda block stamped "T1017R" without the partial VIN stamped on the pad.

It appears that someone added a second letter "R" (but different style) to make it look like a 1964 Corvette 327 engine w/M.T., S.H.P., and A.C. and added the partial VIN as well although the partial VIN stamping looks very original. I assume the partial VIN of your car is "4120313" , the block casting # is "3782870", and the casting date is possibly "E 10 4" or "E 11 4". What is the body build date of your car? I assume it was made about May 1964.

[Michael W.]

Re: Stamp Pad Experts, please!

I'm certainly no expert either, but should'nt there still be some telltale evidence of broach marks even with the pitting?

Paul

Not all blocks started out in life with discernible broach marks.

[Loren L.]

Re: Stamp Pad Experts, please!

Real World, ala being kicked and dragged into:
A. Feb '67 Road & Track, article by R&T staffer Ron Wakefield re a '64 CV 36K miles later.

"The car was delivered to me with no more than a wash job,
apparently. Problems: a broken spark plug; the side windows wouldn't
roll up with the door shut; splotchy paint on top cover panel; the top
didn't fit properly; the passenger's seat rattled furiously; leaks around
the windshield; and the steering had a massive squeak in it."

"I've come to the conclusion that the condition of my car was
typical and the dealer service was typical; in my experience it seems
most Chevrolet dealers look upon the Corvette as some kind of
Funny Furrin Car."

(Perhaps I should add that the writer liked his car!)

B. If the car you present on the judging field has been repainted, it DESERVES a deduction for over-restoration. No painter who is charging you _____dollars per hour is going to miss the spots the factory did - because the customer won't pay. (This is why Flight judges should be required to attend Bowtie judging and listen to things like "Yeah, it dammed near doesn't have any paint between the park lights, JUST LIKE NORMAL."

But that ship has sailed, gentlemen. I, personally would like to seem some things recognized as NEEDED, ie, the low spot on the forward part of the right rear quarter on '61s & '62s - it doesn't offend the eye, but when it has been filled, to me it's a deduct.

[John C.]

Re: Stamp Pad Experts, please!

What is the body build date of your car? I assume it was made about May 1964.

June 22, '64, and yes the vin is 4120313. There is also pitting in the letters.

[Bob H.]

Re: Stamp Pad Experts, please!

As for the second R it could have been more pressure when stamped yet,

I have owned two 64 RR engines. One, the engine had never been out of the car. Neither seemed to have what appears to be two perfectly straight set of numbers. On one of mine, the last R barely made the surface. It seemed to me whoever stamped these things didn't care past getting it on the pad. Just my 2 cents.

[Jim D.]

Re: Stamp Pad Experts, please!

It appears that someone added a second letter "R" (but different style) to make it look like a 1964 Corvette 327 engine w/M.T., S.H.P., and A.C. and added the partial VIN as well although the partial VIN stamping looks very original.

In the spring 1995 issue of Corvette Restorer, Al Grenning wrote an article on stamp pads that explains this common occurance.

[John C.]

Re: Stamp Pad Experts, please!

In the spring 1995 issue of Corvette Restorer, Al Grenning wrote an article on stamp pads that explains this common occurance.

It's a common occurrence that the R is stamped in a different style, or that passenger car engine blocks have stamps added to make it look like a Corvette?

I don't keep Restorers and I wouldn't have any that go back that far anyway.

Would you be willing to copy it and send it to me?

[Gary C.]

Re: Stamp Pad Experts, please!

John, Restorer's are on CD-ROM available from the NCRS Store. Gary....

[Martin M.]

Re: Stamp Pad Experts, please!

Sure Looks like faint Broach Marks on the Rail Just above the pad. What say ye?
Marty