Engine Pad Stampings - Restamps or Original

[Jonathan S.]

All,

I know this is a hot button topic, but I am considering purchasing a couple of cars and have some concerns about the engine pad stampings. One seller says that the car has the orginal engine and another says he does not know (I am already walking the other direction on this one). When it comes to looking at engine pad stampings I know enough to be dangerous. Any thoughts on the two engine pad stampings below would be much appreciated.

Trying to learn as much as I can before making a purchase.

[Michael J.]

Re: Engine Pad Stampings - Restamps or Original

I can see the broach marks on the second pic (one on the right), looks legit. I can't see any on the first one (one on the left), in fact could be swirl marks, a bad sign. You would have to get real close or do a rubbing on that one.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Engine Pad Stampings - Restamps or Original

I can see the broach marks on the second pic (one on the right), looks legit. I can't see any on the first one (one on the left), in fact could be swirl marks, a bad sign. You would have to get real close or do a rubbing on that one.

Broach marks on the second one are probably fakes. They're not parallel lines - and this isn't even on my good monitor at home.

[Michael W.]

Re: Engine Pad Stampings - Restamps or Original

Trying to learn as much as I can before making a purchase.

Best advice is don't attempt to judge a pad from a photo other than to eliminate the obvious non-starters. If you're going to buy a high dollar car and pay a premium for original engine status, hire a pro to make the call.

NCRS judging of pads is challenging enough to do 'live in person', and that judging does not determine if an engine is the original or not. Trying to do it over algore's internet is not a wise move.

Either of the pictured pads might be real. Or not.

[Michael J.]

Re: Engine Pad Stampings - Restamps or Original

Broach marks on the second one are probably fakes. They're not parallel lines - and this isn't even on my good monitor at home.

I have a 26" monitor and they look parallel to me, but I agree you can fake most anything these days so even an expert onsite opinion is going to be qualified, caveat emptor.

[Joe R.]

Re: Engine Pad Stampings - Restamps or Original

Is it just me or does the engine id code look fishy on the first one?

Joe

[Michael J.]

Re: Engine Pad Stampings - Restamps or Original

Is it just me or does the engine id code look fishy on the first one?

Joe

You mean the stamps of "IF" code or the date "0513"? A '65 396 should be "IF", but the font and size of the letters and numbers are a different matter.

[Steve B.]

Re: Engine Pad Stampings - Restamps or Original

As others have said, it is very tough to judge a pad via a picture. My 2 cents is the first may or may not be real and the second is not. Hire a pro to know for sure.

[Jody B.]

Re: Engine Pad Stampings - Restamps or Original

The cylinder head appears to be incorrect in the 2nd picture and that doesn't have anything to do with the stamp, but...........

[William P.]

Re: Engine Pad Stampings - Restamps or Original

Contact Al Grenning before you buy . It will be the best advice you can get. If the owner is selling a legit big block and wants what it is worth he should be happy to pay for Als service . It will only increase the value of his car .
Bill Purdy

[John D.]

Re: Engine Pad Stampings - Restamps or Original

As mentioned the 1st pad on the left shows no signs of broach marks. Looks suspicious.

Now Old JD only has 17" diagonal poc monitor but the broach marks do look parallel on 2nd pic. But the stamping is not typical.
Not that long ago Al Grenning was kind enough do put on seminar for the Pittsburgh chapter. I believe his seminar was on pads, etc that were not typical of what you are used to see. But they were real.

I

[Donald L.]

Re: Engine Pad Stampings - Restamps or Original

On photo #1 look at the water pump boss and gasket it is higher then the pad!!

[Dick W.]

Re: Engine Pad Stampings - Restamps or Original

I won't comment either way as to correctness, but #2 has some things that I like to see when I am looking at a pad. Won't tell all my secrets though

[Brian K.]

Re: Engine Pad Stampings - Restamps or Original

I hate to sound stupid but what exactly are "broach" marks? Is that the lines created when the deck is milled at the foundry?

[William P.]

Re: Engine Pad Stampings - Restamps or Original

You are correct Brian .
Bill Purdy