"Factory" Grind out on Stamp Pad

[Patrick H.]

Re: "Factory" Grind out on Stamp Pad

Hi Louis,

I hate to admit this, but my computer skills are pretty bad, and I have absolutely no idea how to post photos on the tech board. I'm just glad I finally figured out how to post replies and questions.

Finally, I would be very happy to let ANYONE, and I mean ANYONE, take a look at my pad in person any time they want to, at my house, at a car show, at an NCRS event, ANYWHERE. When I was trying to find out more about my pad's authenticity and originality, I learned that information exists out there that could probably help me, and many others with similar questions like the one that started this series of posts. I this case, Rich G. had a very legitimate "grind out" question. Unfortunately, getting quality, educated, fact based answers to these questions can be potentially expensive$$$$$. I completely believe in free enterprise, and have no problem with guys trying to make an honest buck on their expertise. Doctors and lawyers, etc. do it all the time. I guess the Corvette hobby should be no different. If you can sell your knowledge, then why not do it? We can pay for the knowledge or try to acquire it in other ways. I choose not to pay for that knowledge. Consequently, I won't photograph my pad because I don't want it possibly included in any data base or library that is being used for profit.

That being said Louis, you or any other NCRS member are welcome at my home to look at my stamp pad any time. That offer comes with a free lunch and a cold beer. Happy driving.

Jim C.

Jim,

Any chance you can take a picture and e-mail it to one of us to post?

Patrick

[Loren L.]

Re: "Factory" Grind out on Stamp Pad

Jim, could I speculate and call out a serial # range of 1500 to 6000 where the VINs were individually stamped in 1960? If so, a question of the JM manual writers not catching up.

Another example of recurring grindouts is late year production of "less than normal" motor varieties, coupled with a casting # block change; ie,
1965 when changed from an '870' block to a "174".

First, I aware of two blocks in the last 50 or so of 1965 production that the order called out L79 & L76 motors in two CVs that were to be equipped with A/C & TI. TI motors had their own suffix codes and if the engine room did not have any such motors, a non-TI motor would be taken from the engine room, suffix ground out, proper changes in camshaft and distributor made, AND THE LINE WOULD CONTINUE TO MOVE.

To return to Jim's situation, at the National in MN, a number of us were called on to express an opinion on a '60's VIN stamp. The car was relatively close to the time when the VIN stamp was added, but the Flint assembler was not aware of that stamping when he assembly stamped in the MIDDLE of the pad. The VIN stamping appeared on both sides of the Assembly stamp in their indivdual letters.

Another stamping variation is that accorded to Factory sponsored/supplied race cars. As a general rule of thumb, these motors would be identified by a stamping of the Work Order # that CREATED the engine in the first place. Please see the stories on the Cunningham Le Mans Corvette engines that, upon return to CONUS, were removed from the cars and returned to Chevrolet. Please ignore the "crayon" marking stories.

Rich,

I'm no expert on the engine assembly stampings. Keep that in mind. However, I would be inclined to believe you've got factory rework there.

Here's why....

Stored away in my barn, out of sight, I've got what I think is a genuine '61 Corvette base engine block. The VIN derivative on this block looks like it was applied by a drunk. Each number was individually stamped. Each number exists on its own horizontal line. Each number has its own individual angle of tilt. It's a mess.

I've never offered it for sale or even tried to find the owner of the car for which this block is probably original. Why? Because it's a mess and convincing anyone that this is a factory screw up would require more effort than I'm willing to put forth.

Your engine sounds similar.... if perhaps slightly worse. And I believe that's factory rework you are seeing.

Jim

[Martin T.]

Re: "Factory" Grind out on Stamp Pad

I have a very early 65 fuelie. The more I research this car the more interesting items on this car become.
The engine pad was originally stamped with an RF only to be ground off and restamped with a HG. It is nasty. Further, the original VIN from my car is somewhat of a mess as well. Truly rough but correct.
Jim Gessner was good enough to supply me with photos of other examples of similar work. It seems the mind set was much different than today.

[Wayne W.]

Re: "Factory" Grind out on Stamp Pad

the "last stingray" did not have the original block as they pointed on the TV program the original block was dropped and broken. is a corvette with a replacement block more valuable than a corvette with the original block with no stamp pad ?

I dont think it had one even before that.