How did unstamped blocks get out of GM in the mid to late 60's?
??? specificially the big blocks??? Thanks Tony
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Re: How did unstamped blocks get out of GM in the mid to late 60's?
By truck.
AFAIK, it was simple enough to order a bare block. Even short blocks had no pad ID prior to the CE program AFAIK. -
Re: How did unstamped blocks get out of GM in the mid to late 60's?
Many/most 427 marine engines did not have any engine pad stamping.Comment
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Re: How did unstamped blocks get out of GM in the mid to late 60's?
l-88 long block I bought back in the day had no numbers of any kind on itMichael
70 Mulsanne Blue LT-1
03 Electron Blue Z06Comment
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Re: How did unstamped blocks get out of GM in the mid to late 60's?
As a kid in the late 70s I helped a friend work on a 64 Impala SS that was supposed to have a dealership purchased "Vette" engine in it. The motor looked new inside with paint daubs still showing on valve springs, etc. I was working at a Chevy dealership at the time and took the numbers stamped on the pad to ID it. The HT suffix confirmed 327/350 as we were told. I wish I had known to check casting dates and the production date portion of the stamp. The pad did not have a VIN stamp. I was told at the time that long blocks (with cam and heads installed) would have the suffix stamp, but bare and fitted blocks would not. I am not sure about short blocks. I was also told that they didn't stamp engines that did not include the cam (fitted and short blocks) because the final configuration was not determined. Facts or folklore, I don't know. Just sharing. Chip.Comment
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Re: How did unstamped blocks get out of GM in the mid to late 60's?
I saw an 870 block (for a 327) about 15 years ago that had no stampings of any kind. I was told he purchased it as a bare block from Chevy parts counter.Comment
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Re: How did unstamped blocks get out of GM in the mid to late 60's?
All-------
As far as I know, bare blocks never had any sort of stamping on the engine pad. I don't think that fitted blocks (i.e. blocks with pistons) ever did, either.
With respect to short blocks and long blocks, I think it varied over the years. For the years that the "CE" engine program was in effect, some or all of these may have had the "CE" engine code stampings. Otherwise, I don't think these had stampings. I don't see how they could have had suffix codes or, at least, the same suffix codes as used in PRODUCTION. Suffix codes usually define a complete engine configuration. Short blocks or long blocks do not represent complete engines. They could be built up into exactly the same configuration as a PRODUCTION engine or they could be built up into something else.
Complete engine assemblies may have had complete engine code stampings. Usually, GM referred to most of these as PRODUCTION ENGINES even though they were sold in SERVICE. These engines were exactly the same engine as shipped to the vehicle assembly plants except they were shipped to GMSPO. These engines were only available during the model year to which they applied. As far as I know, these engines are still available (for current model year vehicles only, of course).
In 1975 I purchased a 300/350 partial engine (short block) from GM. There were absolutely no stampings on the engine pad.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: How did unstamped blocks get out of GM in the mid to late 60's?
Joe, your post is very helpful historically..... just to be clear, did the 300/350 engine you got in 1975 have crank and pistons already installed? Thanks for your info, TonyComment
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