Do the engine pad numbers on the attached picture of a 59 fuelie look correct? It seems that the last digit of the suffix is out of alignment with the other numbers? Was a gang used to hold all the numbers together when the original stamp was made? Thanks. - Kevin
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Re: C-1 engine pad numbers
hard to be certain without actually eyeballing it under illuminated magnification, but the broach marks are questionable in this photo. wouldn't worry about the mis-aligned S though. mike -
Re: C-1 engine pad numbers
sorry if this is a stupid ? but what are broach marksComment
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Re: C-1 engine pad numbers
there is no such thing as a stupid question. we never learn if we sit idely by and don't inquire of the unknow. broach marks were part of the engine case machining process. they are fine, superficial, multiple horizontal scratch /scar marks that the broaching machine imparted to the raw casting as part of the block's machining process. take a trip to the local junkyard if ya don't have a bunch of small/big block chevy engines in your posession. take along a bottle of varsol, coarse rags and paint remover in the event the pad is dirty or repainted. after cleaing the pad, look for the broach marks. a flashlite and a magnifying glass will be helpful.the machine scars run front to rear in horizontal fashion. they are about .001 to .005" inch in depth. don't use sandpaper/putty knife/screwdriver to remove the crud overlying the cast iron of the pad or you'll possibly screw up the original appearance of the pad. good luck in your learning experience. and remember, every day should be a learing experience. mikeComment
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Re: C-1 engine pad numbers
Kevin - I believe pre mid 1960 pad stampings which did not include the VIN derivative were typically located at the "lower, outboard" location of the stamp pad - in the location the VIN eventually ended up. This stamping is in the location later used for build information. In addition, the over population of I's raises my eyebrows. Can't really see the broach marks in your photo. The crooked 2nd suffix letter is pretty much textbook, which means only that a knowledgable restamper would duplicate that feature. Bottom line: Like others, wish I could lay my eyeballs on this baby for a more accurate assessment. Best, DennisComment
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Re: C-1 engine pad numbers
Thanks Dennis. What do you mean when you say the crooked 2nd suffix letter is textbook? Why just the last letter? One of my original questions was whether a gang was used to stamp the entire set of numbers at the same time. Why does the over population of "I"s raise your eyebrows? Regards, - KevinComment
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Re: C-1 engine pad numbers
Kevin - Regarding the "textbook" crooked last suffix letter. During the C1 V8 years, often the first alfa character was the same for 2 or more different engine configurations. As the engine was assembled, it shared identical parts until the intake system was installed (carb/s vs FI). (And in some cases, the use of manual or automatic transmission). So, in many cases the block was gang stamped with all the characters except the last alfa letter. When the intake system, and therefore horsepower were decided, based on orders, the final horsepower and transmission designation was added by use of the final character. It was not done in a gang stamp, but simply added freehand, thus, the crooked last letter often occurred. From 63 on, I doubt this happened, or if it did, it was a major exception, rather than the rule.
As far as the III, which I characterized as an overpopulation of I's, maybe that's not fair - If the casting date and the assembly of the engine are within about a week, and all the dates look reasonable, it may be just fine and all those ones are legit. They just caught my suspicious eye. I remember Ed Gurdjian finding an engine or two for sale years ago in Hemmings with FIIIICZ. What made it fun is that the suffix on these particular motors (CZ) were never documented as having been produced - and still haven't been. Best, DennisComment
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