1972 Engine stamp and Transmission stamp opinion

[Rick H.]

I'm currently considering the purchase of a 1972. I'm attaching pictures of the engine pad and transmission VIN stamp. The engine stamping is what I'm most curious about where the 2 numbers are stamped on top of one another. The stamping on the transmission appears to be double stamped.

Can some of the members that are knowledgeable about these stamps give their opinion as to whether the stampings look legitimate?

Thanks,
Rick
engine stamp.jpg

Transmission Stamping.jpg

[Mark E.]

Certainly an unusual stamping; I'll let the experts comment on authenticity. Is that white paint on the pad and head? ...maybe used to highlight the stamping?

The Black Book says VINs 6051 thru 8406 were assembled in November '71, so 8189 is consistent with the 11-10 engine assembly date.

[Owen L.]

The engine plant stamp appears to be double-stamped too...
engine stamp.jpg

[Duke W.]

... and to think I always thought it was pronounced "raid - iator", not "raad-iator".

Duke

[Jim D.]

oops, mis-post

[Rick H.]

Should I just assume that the assembly line worker was not paying attention when placing the VIN stamp and carelessly stamped over the engine assembly stamp? I would think if someone were trying to fake engine and VIN stamps that they wouldn’t be so sloppy. I’m planning to go look at the car in the coming days. I’ll verify the engine casting number and casting date to verify it lines up with the November 27, 1971 production date. If anyone has any opinions or seen a similar occurrence of these overlapping stampings, I’d appreciate your comments.

[Mark F.]

To my eye, the left side of the pad looks like there's some sort of black coating on it.
Looks like whatever it is is chipped down to the cast iron (see yellow circle)...
Does it look like that to you ?


image.png

[Rick H.]

To my eye, the left side of the pad looks like there's some sort of black coating on it.
Looks like whatever it is is chipped down to the cast iron (see yellow circle)...
Does it look like that to you ?


image.png

Yes it does look like there are a couple layers of paint on the pad. They apparently were applied when the engine was rebuilt. That makes the broach marks nearly impossible to see. I'm going to look at the car on Monday. At this point I think the best I can hope to learn is if there are other known examples where the VIN is stamped over the engine number.

[Steve B.]

Agree that this pad has had been stripped or cleaned or something.

Double hits happened. Here's the pad from a late 1972 I used to own. 31k miles and 4-star bowtie in 2019. VIN derivative hit twice with the 2nd one on top of the date code.

[Rick H.]

Thanks to all that replied. Your opinions were very helpful.