Engine Stamp Pad

[Bob S.]

I have a 72 Coupe (base engine / 4-speed )with an engine assembly sequence number as follows: V041ICKW
Car production date is: 4-28-72
My question: was it common to substitute the "I" for a numerical 1 when stamping the engine pad ?
I've put in several hours of searching but cannot find an answer to this question. Since the date is April 11, makes sense that someone didnt have two "1" characters so an "I" was dropped into the stamp. All numbers on the car are correct, broaching looks good, just this one character difference.

[Kenneth H.]

Re: Engine Stamp Pad

Bob, yes I believe that it was a common occurence to interchange "I"s and "1"s. My Feburary pad shows VOI20CTU. Note that the "1" is actually an "I" and one of the "0"s is actually the letter "O".

Thanks.

[Joe R.]

Re: Engine Stamp Pad

I have a 72 Coupe (base engine / 4-speed )with an engine assembly sequence number as follows: V041ICKW
Car production date is: 4-28-72
My question: was it common to substitute the "I" for a numerical 1 when stamping the engine pad ?
I've put in several hours of searching but cannot find an answer to this question. Since the date is April 11, makes sense that someone didnt have two "1" characters so an "I" was dropped into the stamp. All numbers on the car are correct, broaching looks good, just this one character difference.

Bob,

How 'bout a picture?

Joe

[Terry M.]

Re: Engine Stamp Pad

Yes, Bob, as Ken told you this mixing of letters & numbers is quite common for both Flint and Tonawanda.

I'm with Joe too. Us picture collectors say: "Show us the money (shot)"

[Joe R.]

Re: Engine Stamp Pad

I'm with Joe too. Us picture collectors say: "Show us the money (shot)"

Terry,

You haven't changed topics on us, now have you???

Joe

[Terry M.]

Re: Engine Stamp Pad

Terry,

You haven't changed topics on us, now have you???

Joe

Topics? ... NO. Occupation? ... I wish!

[John H.]

Re: Engine Stamp Pad

Chevrolet Engineering gave direction to the engine plants in 1957 (the first year of the "standard format" for machine code) to use the "I" character in place of the "1" character; compliance varied occasionally.

[Randy C.]

Re: Engine Stamp Pad

I tried to take a picture of mine but the lighting is horrible and I can't seem to get a good shot. But mine appears as "VI2O1 CJK" for my '71 base engine automatic with a build date of E14. The "I" is definitely and "I" and not a "1". The "O" looks fatter than a "0" so I'm pretty sure it's an "O".

Randy C.

[Mike F.]

Re: Engine Stamp Pad

IIRC there was an article about the "1" vs "I" in the Restorer around 1995 or 96.

[Bob S.]

Re: Engine Stamp Pad

Due to some technical troubles, I wasnt able to download the numbers on my engine stamp pad....thanks to the Forum Helpdesk, my tech troubles have been resolved, so, attached are the "money shots" as requested.
The pic quality isnt the best, but the characters can be seen. It's nice to have this forum to resolve thoes vette related questions that come up from time to time.....b