C3 Engine Pad Confusion

[James W.]

Here's a question for all you Engine PAD aficionados out there. I purchased the following 1969 Corvette engine, but things are a little strange for the VIN number stamped on the engine pad.

The block casting number is 3970010 (late 69 application), block cast date is I 8 9 (Sept 8, 1969), engine build info is V0915HW, 350hp / 350ci - built in Flint on September 15. The VIN stamping is 19S780725, and this isn't a typo. It's my belief that the 8 in the VIN is a misstamp and should be a 3 therefore this would be the engine for car #30725 built at the end of September 1969. Has anyone seen an issue like this? Does anyone else have info on a car built near this VIN number that may also exhibit the 8 in place of a 3?

Any help on this anomaly would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Jim

[mike cobine]

Re: C3 Engine Pad Confusion

My guess would be that since the 8 is so far in, it would not be changed often and would have shown up on many cars if a mistake at the factory. In a day, only the 725 would have changed. So if you can find several others around that VIN, then you'd have a factory goof.

Odds are someone stamped that number themselves and goofed with reading the numbers on the stamps.