Upside down VIN and factory grind-out? What are the odds?

[Ian G.]

Interesting oddity... This isn't a corvette block but thought I'd post... How unusual is it to see both a factory grind-out (if that is what this is) and an upside down VIN? I've seen posts about upside down VINs and grind-outs at the factory, but anyone ever seen both together? Did this just happen in the 60's or 50's as well?

[Mark P.]

Re: Upside down VIN and factory grind-out? What are the odds?

Has anyone heard of engine rebuilders who ground the pad with a grinder and added their own identification marks ? I read that some may have done this.

[Mark P.]

Re: Upside down VIN and factory grind-out? What are the odds?

Here is another pad photo. Does anyone know what cars used the EC code ?

[Bob R.]

Re: Upside down VIN and factory grind-out? What are the odds?

I found three uses for the EC code, 1957 283 Turbo Glide FI B body, 1965 327 Special High Performance 300 HP Chevelle, and 1966 327 A.I.R., glide 275 HP Chevelle.

[Mark P.]

Re: Upside down VIN and factory grind-out? What are the odds?

Thanks Bob.

[Mark P.]

Re: Upside down VIN and factory grind-out? What are the odds?

Does anyone have an opinion how this pad would be judged ? Assuming the block casting number and date are correct then would this result in 300 points out of a possible 350 ? The 50 point deduction would be for the incorrect assembly stamp and VIN. In other words, would it likely still receive the 38 points for the pad finish ?

[Dan A.]

Re: Upside down VIN and factory grind-out? What are the odds?

A fair amount of guess work and speculation with this due to sparse information.

What is the casting number and casting date?

With that there is a greater possibility of narrowing things down with less speculation.

[Pancho T.]

Re: Upside down VIN and factory grind-out? What are the odds?

Not only is it stamped upside down but the "8" and last "1" are stamped upside down. Maybe Hellen Keller was working on the stamping that day

[Keith B.]

Re: Upside down VIN and factory grind-out? What are the odds?

seeing how that was a Chevelle block from Fremont and in they were not stamping too many blocks with vin numbers they didn't have much practice at it in comparison to all the other cars that did not receive a vin stamp I can see how any why it was done sloppy. in fact most passenger car vin stamps where done poorly compared to how the vette plant done it

[Mark P.]

Re: Upside down VIN and factory grind-out? What are the odds?

Keith - I found some info that is consistent with what you said. Here is another Chevelle FREMONT pad.

Dan - It is a 3782870 block dated A 8 5.

[Dan A.]

Re: Upside down VIN and factory grind-out? What are the odds?




If this is a 1965 model year block the EC suffix is for a Chevelle body 132-134-136-13800, L79. ED is the similar but has T.I.

It is important to note the EC suffix denotes a 275 hp 327 with Powerglide for the 1966 model year.

And thus my request for the elusive casting number and casting date.