67 300hp engine markings?

[John H.]

I am freshening up a 67 coupe with new suspension parts (bushings, bearings, etc) since the car has 101,000 miles. The car has never been apart and still has all the original suspension parts including brake calipers. We pulled the engine and PG trans to get to the a-arms. The engine has all original paint and stickers. Upon inspection, we noticed an "HO" for the 300 hp base motor written in what appears to be a crayon like the frame was marked with. It is marked HO on the pass side head front and on the pass side of the block (upside down) in the area under the exhaust manifolds. I've included pics of the 2 markings along with the pass valve cover. The car has 13 options, all orig interior and was John Kennedy's (UT) personal car for 36 years before going to Steve Newsome, (TX) for the past 5 years. Both drove the car in it's original state on many road tours, and it Top Flighted in 86 and 90 under John. I haven't seen the hand written hp suffix designation addressed in the JG or in print. Was this common practice in 67 to designate the engine when pulling stock for the production unit? Both were hidden by the AC unit and the manifold. I know the HO was on a paper sticker attached to the rear of the valve cover.
Any thoughts?
John (9049)

[Joe R.]

Re: 67 300hp engine markings?

My thoughts are that it's people like you that take the time to share original Corvettes with the members is what this place is (should) be all about! Many thanks from us old members that appreciate seeing a real Corvette and members that have knowledge and share that knowledge with the newbies.
This lights up my day!

JR

[Patrick H.]

Re: 67 300hp engine markings?

Nice!

The 327s tend to have the codes written on the heads by hand. By 69 and later they moved to the yellow stickers; a version of these are still used today.

Having the suffix on the side of the block was common; I know my 71 had it visible and somewhere I have photos.

Would you have a photo of the side of the head/block as well?

[John H.]

Re: 67 300hp engine markings?

The engine is on a stand so i can get pics of whatever angle you want. It might be Sat before i can go out to the shop. Which side do you want to see?

[John H.]

Re: 67 300hp engine markings?

Thanks Joe for the kind words. I'm glad you liked the pics. I've been in the "hobby" since 1983 and still am awed by an orig car. The tape is still on the body mounts and the frame is nice with all markings. I hated to take it apart but it was "tired" and i was afraid to drive it over 85 mph

[Joe R.]

Re: 67 300hp engine markings?

John,

Nothing wrong with taking it apart and helping the old dog run again. Just remember to document via pictures every step of the way. Documenting every step just helps the next guy to restore his/her Corvette correctly!
Thanks,

JR

[Ron G.]

Re: 67 300hp engine markings?

Yep, Typically all engines from Flint / Tonawanda have the engine suffix code Written upside down in yellow grease pencil that was supplied by a company called Duramark. Duramark supplied all of General Motors and more than likely they supplied the other big (2) manufactures as well. Many years ago I was fortunate to purchase some grease pencils from the directly from them in yellow, green, and white. Good luck with your project.

[Joe L.]

Re: 67 300hp engine markings?

Yep, Typically all engines from Flint / Tonawanda have the engine suffix code Written upside down in yellow grease pencil that was supplied by a company called Duramark. Duramark supplied all of General Motors and more than likely they supplied the other big (2) manufactures as well. Many years ago I was fortunate to purchase some grease pencils from the directly from them in yellow, green, and white. Good luck with your project.

Ron------


Duramark was definitely the right name for that company. As long as these grease pencil marks have lasted on many engines, their product was DURAble in the extreme. Duramark is still in business but they no longer make grease pencils.

One word of caution: these grease pencils, Duramark brand or otherwise, often harden over time and become, essentially, useless.

[Phillip M.]

Re: 67 300hp engine markings?

John,
Attached is a photo I took of a Bowtie candidate car at the NCRS Nationals in Boston. It is a '67 300 HP, 4-speed car showing the engine code marking on the R.S. head front surface.
Phil

[Patrick H.]

Re: 67 300hp engine markings?

The engine is on a stand so i can get pics of whatever angle you want. It might be Sat before i can go out to the shop. Which side do you want to see?

Either.

I'm wondering if you can see a shadow from a mask used over the exhaust ports on the head, or a shadow from the exhaust manifold.

[Ralph S.]

Re: 67 300hp engine markings?

This is a head from a 1972 Corvette

[Patrick H.]

Re: 67 300hp engine markings?

This is a head from a 1972 Corvette

Yes, I've seen that one.
I'm interested in seeing if the same mask was used earlier.

[John H.]

Re: 67 300hp engine markings?

Thanks for the picture but it brings up another question. The vc sticker in the pic is positioned on the front of the pass side vc which is correct per the JG. look at my pic #3 in my first post which shows the vc sticker on the lower side toward the back of the pass vc. I believe it to be the original as this engine was never apart or messed with. Anybody have thoughts on this?

[Jace H.]

Re: 67 300hp engine markings?

John,

Thank you for sharing the pics and story on that beautiful 67 Red/Red coupe. I am a long time member of the Bonneville Chapter that John co-founded. Our monthly meetings were held at his shop in Bountiful up until he got sick. He was a great man and Corvette legend in our parts. He was a master convertible top restorer and I am honored that the carpet, seats and top on my National Top Flight 67 were done by John. I really loved seeing that car and know that it was John's pride and joy for many years. Great to here that you are taking good care of it. Post more pics as you progress thru the restoration. We all miss John and his knowledge.

Jace Holt
(28944)

[John H.]

Re: 67 300hp engine markings?

Jace, I was hoping someone might remember John having this coupe. He painted it in laquer in 1979 and it still looks great. I'm not doing anything to the outside, interior, or frame. I'm freshening up the suspension so I can drive it. We haven't opened up the engine to see if it needs rebuilt, but it still ran strong before it was pulled out. I have John's judging sheets from 1990 at Steamboat Springs and he scored 101% because of the driving points he received. He drove this car everywhere. With AC, PG, PS, PB, Tele, headrests, shoulder harnesses, BO whls, speed minder, red leather, U69, A02, wsw's, it is a pretty rare optioned combo. I will keep this car until my family sells it out of my estate (hopefully not for a while). The guys at Bair's were pretty excited when they saw the suspension parts even taking pics to send to the 67 chassis team showing the way the a-arms were painted and markings. Here's a pic of the car in my driveway last Nov.