1967 L79 Engine VIN Stamp/Casting Date

[Richard B.]

I have a car where the engine casting date reads B-15-7 (Feb 15 1967); the engine stamp date is V0221 which is February 21. The trim tag (AO Smith) is G-15, Feb 15. VIN number matches engine stamping and is in range for this month. My question: Is it possible that the engine casting and assembly would be the same or this close to the trim tag assembly date? I have read that this may be the case with some AO Smith bodies. Other sources say engine preceded assembly by months. I have the original tank sticker which has an order date of Jan 23 1967. I have no reason to suspect prior foul play. Thanks!

[Leif A.]

Re: 1967 L79 Engine VIN Stamp/Casting Date

Richard,
First off, welcome to the TDB. All your numbers look completely within norms. You could post up some nice clear pictures for better confirmation. You have one of the best Corvettes ever made...huge fan of the L79. Congratulations!!

[Tim G.]

Re: 1967 L79 Engine VIN Stamp/Casting Date

I agree with Leif. We'd love to see some pictures. Your car sounds wonderful.

[Michael H.]

Re: 1967 L79 Engine VIN Stamp/Casting Date

Richard,

My 67 L79 S/N 12706 is a St. Louis body # S6253 built on March 3rd. Engine assembly date is V0223HT Feb 23rd. Sorry I can't see the casting date need to remove the shielding to see it. Production build date of the car is March 6th.

My transmission date is Jan 26th, and the AN (3:55) rear end is dated Feb 22.

Mike
Regional Top Flight in 2016.

[David H.]

Re: 1967 L79 Engine VIN Stamp/Casting Date

I have a car where the engine casting date reads B-15-7 (Feb 15 1967); the engine stamp date is V0221 which is February 21. The trim tag (AO Smith) is G-15, Feb 15. VIN number matches engine stamping and is in range for this month. My question: Is it possible that the engine casting and assembly would be the same or this close to the trim tag assembly date? I have read that this may be the case with some AO Smith bodies. Other sources say engine preceded assembly by months. I have the original tank sticker which has an order date of Jan 23 1967. I have no reason to suspect prior foul play. Thanks!

Richard

Welcome to the Tech Board.

Your A.O. Smith body was build in Ionia, Michigan around Feb 15th (Trim Tag), then shipped to St Louis for final assembly. Typical for a week to 10 days shipping/storage from A.O. Smith completion until that body entered the final assembly line in St. Louis.

Links below to A.O. Smith and St. Louis production articles.

Dave

http://stlouisncrs.org/news_files/A.O.Smith.pdf

https://www.michiganncrs.org/downloads/

[Michael H.]

Re: 1967 L79 Engine VIN Stamp/Casting Date

I have a car where the engine casting date reads B-15-7 (Feb 15 1967); the engine stamp date is V0221 which is February 21. The trim tag (AO Smith) is G-15, Feb 15. VIN number matches engine stamping and is in range for this month. My question: Is it possible that the engine casting and assembly would be the same or this close to the trim tag assembly date? I have read that this may be the case with some AO Smith bodies. Other sources say engine preceded assembly by months. I have the original tank sticker which has an order date of Jan 23 1967. I have no reason to suspect prior foul play. Thanks!

Richard,

Have you requested the shipping data report thru NCRS, that will give the final assembly date of your car and where it was shipped to.

Mike

[Richard B.]

Re: 1967 L79 Engine VIN Stamp/Casting Date

Thank you for all the helpful replies. I can sleep a little better now. Yes I did order the NCRS shipping report and I will be posting some photos shortly. Very happy with my purchase; it's a no radio, PW, PB but manual steering, telescopic. Go figure. All numbers so far seem to be correct.

[Richard B.]

Re: 1967 L79 Engine VIN Stamp/Casting Date

2020-11-15 10.42.10.jpg2020-11-15 10.43.56.jpg2020-11-15 10.43.12.jpg

[Dan A.]

Re: 1967 L79 Engine VIN Stamp/Casting Date

Other sources say engine preceded assembly by months.

Engines generally proceeded car assembly with some AO Smith exceptions like yours and one that I have. As for engine manufacture proceeding car assembly by months that usually raises a red flag. It happened but not often.

[Richard B.]

Re: 1967 L79 Engine VIN Stamp/Casting Date

305.jpg503.jpgI couldn't get a focussed pic of casting but I can see it pretty clearly.

[Patrick B.]

Re: 1967 L79 Engine VIN Stamp/Casting Date

The engine stamping and grain are perfect. A great looking 67.

[Tim G.]

Re: 1967 L79 Engine VIN Stamp/Casting Date

Great car, Richard. Enjoy.