1978 Block Casting Date Missing Digit?

[Charlie P.]

Going over the numbers on my '78, I find what looks like an anomaly in the block casting date.
Car has 2,800 miles and the stamp pad is correct. Car was built February 25.
Casting date shows: A 0 8
The characters are evenly spaced, with about a 1/4" between each one.
So the A in front and the 8 at the end make sense, but there should be another digit in there.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Charlie

[Charlie P.]

Re: 1978 Block Casting Date Missing Digit?

Addendum to my post- I realize that the block casting date can be only three characters, but if so, the middle one can't be 0. Given the spacing, I think the missing digit would be between the 0 and 8.

[Arland D.]

Re: 1978 Block Casting Date Missing Digit?

Charlie,

I have run into this twice before with 78's at regional meets. The bottom line is that the consensus was a bad day at the foundry and a number is left off the block. As long as everything else was right, it was deemed to be a production anomaly in both cars. The team leader and the national judging chairman agreed and signed a notation on the judging sheet which essentially became a 'get out of jail' card for future events. Each car is different and this is no guarantee that the same situation applies to your car, but that's what I've seen on the judging field. You'll need to check with your national team leader at some point to get a clarification.

Arland

[Charlie P.]

Re: 1978 Block Casting Date Missing Digit?

Thanks Arland. I think I may have figured it out though. I believe the middle digit is a "6", not a "0". This would make the casting date Jan. 6. Engine assembly date is Jan. 23.