VIN & Trans Used Same Gang?

[Owen L.]

Mike Ernst commented in his Spring '21 article on the LS-6 that the engine and trans stamps should be compared because the same "jig mounted characters were used to stamp both."

Does this apply to all C2s and C3s, so that how a character appears on the engine, it should appear likewise on the trans?

[Leif A.]

Re: VIN & Trans Used Same Gang?

That has always been my understanding.

[Jack M.]

Re: VIN & Trans Used Same Gang?

I've often wondered exactly how the VIN stamp process was coordinated... since I believe the two stamps were DIFFERENT (at least for C2). The tranny stamp contained an extra character ('S')... except for a day or so in early 1966 (a known anomaly). For example, the 66 engine VIN would be 61XXXXZ... while the tranny would be 6S1XXXXZ.

So if there was only ONE gang stamp, it seems they would need to change BOTH ends of the characters to stamp the engine & tranny. If they had TWO different gang stamps, they would only be changing the LAST character ('Z'), when going to the next vehicle in line. Something tells me it was less time and cumbersome, to have TWO different gang stamps (with potentially slightly different characters)... but I wasn't there, or in charge.

I'd certainly enjoy hearing other opinions/korrections... but info from someone that worked the assembly line, would be ideal.

[Harry S.]

Re: VIN & Trans Used Same Gang?

I've often wondered exactly how the VIN stamp process was coordinated... since I believe the two stamps were DIFFERENT (at least for C2). The tranny stamp contained an extra character ('S')... except for a day or so in early 1966 (a known anomaly). For example, the 66 engine VIN would be 61XXXXZ... while the tranny would be 6S1XXXXZ.

So if there was only ONE gang stamp, it seems they would need to change BOTH ends of the characters to stamp the engine & tranny. If they had TWO different gang stamps, they would only be changing the LAST character ('Z'), when going to the next vehicle in line. Something tells me it was less time and cumbersome, to have TWO different gang stamps (with potentially slightly different characters)... but I wasn't there, or in charge.

I'd certainly enjoy hearing other opinions/corrections but info from someone that worked the assembly line, would be ideal.

Jack, I agree that there were two gangs or more. The VIN hit 4 spots, three were steel and one was aluminum. I think the aluminum did not have to be hit as hard.

[Mike E.]

Re: VIN & Trans Used Same Gang?

It would be good to specify exactly which year per each portion of discussion. E.g., in 1971, the same sequence was used on block and trans. My observation in that article was specific to 1971.

[Leif A.]

Re: VIN & Trans Used Same Gang?

Found this on the Corvette Forum:

"John Hinckley posted - The transmission was VIN-stamped right after it was bolted to the engine, early on the Engine Dress Line; until about November '65, the same gang-holder was used for the VIN derivative on both the engine pad and the transmission. In November '65, the format for the transmission stamp changed ("S" replaced the leading "5"), so there were two different gang holders for the rest of the model year."

[Jack M.]

Re: VIN & Trans Used Same Gang?

Nice find, Leif. Searching CF, it alluded to an old NCRS thread from JohnZ, and I've located it: CLICK HERE

Herez his complete explanation... covering C2 production:

"Only one gang holder was used for both the engine and transmission in '63, '64, and part way into '65; during this period, the engine and the transmission VIN derivative stampings were identical, with the first digit being the model year, followed by the last six digits of the car's VIN. In November '64, the transmission VIN changed - the first model year digit changed to an "S" (S123456), so there were TWO different gang holders - one for the engine, and one for the transmission.

The transmission VIN format changed again in 1966, adding a "6" prefix for the model year to the previous Sxxxxxx (example: 6S123456). Note: The transmission gang holder was used occasionally on the engine within the first 400 units, as known-original cars have been observed with a "6S" prefix on the engine VIN instead of just a "6" prefix (I have photos of such a pad on #183, found at a Chapter tech session on Bowtie Judging of an original-owner '66 300hp convertible).

The '66 transmission VIN format carried over into 1967, and those transmissions used "7S123456"; again, different gang holders used for engine and transmission. The engine VIN derivative stayed the same from '63-'67; it always had the model year as the first digit, followed by the last six of the VIN (except for a few early 66's).

Photo below (from Mike Hanson) shows the original St. Louis VIN stamp gang holder, sitting on the bins for the dies; note the quick-change spring retainer pin that held the dies in place."

Stamper3.jpg

[Blair K.]

Re: VIN & Trans Used Same Gang?

For what it is worth - my early model '68 L36 M40 convertible (s/n 05338) must of had the same gang stamp used on the assembly line when stamping the engine and transmission. In the vin # on the engine stamp pad - the top part of the letter "S" is lightly stamped. The bottom part of the number "4" and bottom of the "zero" lightly stamped as well. Maybe a dull, partly worn out "S", "4" and zero die in the gang holder. Upon inspection of my transmission stamp - the same 3 flawed characters appears there as well. My conclusion - same gang stamp used. I have seen examples of '68 engine stamp pads - a few hundred cars with vin numbers before and after my vin # - all had the same flawed letter "S", "4" and zero.





HPIM1347.jpg

[Brad Hillhouse (37766)]

Re: VIN & Trans Used Same Gang?

Blair - Interesting to see another one with a VIN derivative that matches the same S 4 and 0.

Brad

1968 engine pad.jpg

[Blair K.]

Re: VIN & Trans Used Same Gang?

Blair - Interesting to see another one with a VIN derivative that matches the same S 4 and 0.

Brad

[ATTACH=CONFIG]112337[/ATTACH]

Great pic, Brad.
Leads me to believe that both engine stamp pads for 05338 and 05601 are legit originals from the factory.