68 corvette Big Block Engine Stamp

[Grant W.]

Any comments on a 1968 Yellow Roadster this current owner just bought it last year. He is not an NCRS member.....yet
Late Nov 1967 build 26000 original miles.
I looked at the car. Fan clutch replaced, Original carb, Original Alt, Original spare, Original rear spare jack compartment tray. Original AIR system. Original Paint unhit car. It even has the Original exhaust system. Yup the embossed W on the muffler.
Original sloppy glue on the hood weather strip, Original lousy paint over spray on the hood hinges and sloppy over spray on the underside side of the hood. The yellow paint was somewhat dripping down the side of the hood.
But what concerned me was the stamp pad. The owner is wondering too. It doesn't seem like the engine was ever taken out.
I would have to ask him to wash down some of the oil remints to get a better look to see if any of the bolts were tampered with if the engine was taken out....maybe when the weather gets warmer!!

So can any one comment on the stamp on the engine pad. Any help is appreciated.

The other question is should there be some over spray paint orange on top of the fuel filter and the inside top edge of the alternator bracket.
This car was originally sold from Jack Carter in Calgary alberta. He is the 6th owner. One owner had it for 20 years.

He is trying to track the owners and ask about the car and the vin stamping if they know anything about it.

Thanks, Grant

[Gene M.]

Re: 68 corvette Big Block Engine Stamp

This car was not built in Nov 67, VIN is too high, gotta be Dec 67 if that is the number. Missing a couple stamping numbers?

[William P.]

Re: 68 corvette Big Block Engine Stamp

Not every pad has a perfect stamp, they were done by a guy on the line with a gang stamp and a hammer ! Check the stamp on the tranny as they were done by the same guy with the same stamp . They should have the same irregularity's .

Bill

[John H.]

Re: 68 corvette Big Block Engine Stamp

Grant -

Engine paint must have been touched-up by a previous owner - neither the fuel filter nor the alternator bracket was on the engine when it was painted originally.

[Dick W.]

Re: 68 corvette Big Block Engine Stamp

Broach marks

[Greg L.]

Re: 68 corvette Big Block Engine Stamp

Hi Grant

My first thought was it's probably real because if someone was going to restamp it why would they do an L36? It's kinda like counterfiting a bunch of $10s when you could be doing $100s! Same work but far less gain. I'd like to see a pic of the transmission stamp if you can get it because as you know it should "look" the same.

Dick, what is it about the broach marks that catch your eye?

[Dick W.]

Re: 68 corvette Big Block Engine Stamp

Hi Grant

My first thought was it's probably real because if someone was going to restamp it why would they do an L36? It's kinda like counterfiting a bunch of $10s when you could be doing $100s! Same work but far less gain. I'd like to see a pic of the transmission stamp if you can get it because as you know it should "look" the same.

Dick, what is it about the broach marks that catch your eye?

Unless the photo is deceiving me, I see continuous, unbroken lines, unlike what is generally accepted as TFP, lines with skips

[Grant W.]

Re: 68 corvette Big Block Engine Stamp

Hi Dick
The broach marks kind of got me wondering too. But then I kind of agree with Greg. Why would any body want to spend $$$$$ and restamp the block.
Gene I have to get the piller date and it could be a Dec build. I was taking a guess as to the build date. I will have to try and get under the car and take a look at the tranny stamp.

The car is so original I was busy taking pictures of other parts.
68 early wide sill plates, Early front bumper. The plastic shield screws ends were pointing down ward.
Maybe I need to view the pics again....continuous unbroken lines...not TFP.
Thanks for the orange paint question. I had a feeling they are not supposed to have orange paint on it.
But any more comments would be great.
This car is so original.....other than the vin stamp question.

Thanks, Grant

[Terry B.]

Re: 68 corvette Big Block Engine Stamp

My Dec. '67 build L-36 is 6412. Does it have the original '68 front grills? Are the inside door handles back side convex and smooth or ribbed. Hard to imagine with 26K miles and 44 years later that it would have the original exhaust system. Take lots of pictures and encourage the owner to join NCRS and have it Bowtie judged. Sounds like a time capsule.

Terry

[Dick W.]

Re: 68 corvette Big Block Engine Stamp

Hi Dick
The broach marks kind of got me wondering too. But then I kind of agree with Greg. Why would any body want to spend $$$$$ and restamp the block.

Remember the famous "Fonawanda" block? Defecation occurs

[Joe L.]

Re: 68 corvette Big Block Engine Stamp

Any comments on a 1968 Yellow Roadster this current owner just bought it last year. He is not an NCRS member.....yet
Late Nov 1967 build 26000 original miles.
I looked at the car. Fan clutch replaced, Original carb, Original Alt, Original spare, Original rear spare jack compartment tray. Original AIR system. Original Paint unhit car. It even has the Original exhaust system. Yup the embossed W on the muffler.
Original sloppy glue on the hood weather strip, Original lousy paint over spray on the hood hinges and sloppy over spray on the underside side of the hood. The yellow paint was somewhat dripping down the side of the hood.
But what concerned me was the stamp pad. The owner is wondering too. It doesn't seem like the engine was ever taken out.
I would have to ask him to wash down some of the oil remints to get a better look to see if any of the bolts were tampered with if the engine was taken out....maybe when the weather gets warmer!!

So can any one comment on the stamp on the engine pad. Any help is appreciated.

The other question is should there be some over spray paint orange on top of the fuel filter and the inside top edge of the alternator bracket.
This car was originally sold from Jack Carter in Calgary alberta. He is the 6th owner. One owner had it for 20 years.

He is trying to track the owners and ask about the car and the vin stamping if they know anything about it.

Thanks, Grant

Grant------


I don't think this stamping is original. First of all, I accept the fact that all stampings were not perfect. However, I do not see how a gang stamp such as the type used in St. Louis could have produced an irregularity such as seen here. Second, the engine code stamping just does not look right to me. It's hard to put my finger on just why, but it does not look right.

[Grant W.]

Re: 68 corvette Big Block Engine Stamp

Hi Terry
Yes it has the 68 original front grills. I was only at his place for an hour and not enough time. I did noticed the storage tray latch clip was rivoted on and not screwed on like later 68's.
I will have to go to his place again and check about the inside door handles.
I also notice the original carpeting with the IMCO logo.
He also had the long oval seat belt grommets and when I lifted the carpet flap the passenger side bolt had some yellow paint on it. The drivers side did not.
He had the extra brace at the front U bracket. Also under the headlight housing was a lot of yellow over spray under neath.
Both Headlight pod nibs pointed to the left.

As for Joe's comments I had the same feeling too. I just don't want to believe it has been restamped and if so they or whom ever did a lousy job.
But more comments the better so I can pass the information to the owner.
Can it still be Bowtie judged????
As for the exhaust system.....Yes it is the real deal. Flat squished pipes at near the rear end area. I looked for that. Embossed W on the mufflers. He does have a muffler leak at the end of the muffler, Maybe someone can tig it for him. The exhaust tips are original 68's but I forgot to look at the clamps.
When I see him next week I will try and take good digital pics of the entire car.
Rocker panel screws to the front ones. I took pics with my cell phone and they are not the best.

I didn't know he had a low mileage car and when I saw it I kind of got all excited.
Oh yea...Original air cleaner and the wing nut too!!.

Thanks and keep them comments coming.

Grant

[Dick W.]

Re: 68 corvette Big Block Engine Stamp

Can it still be Bowtie judged????


Grant

It can be Bowtie judged, but if the engine has been stamped, my guess there will be other indications that things have been changed. It will be up to the judges, but my guess it will not pass that Star. If it does not, it will become a One, Two, Three, or no Star award car, depending on the how it scores. To obtain a Bowtie, it must achieve all four stars

[Terry M.]

Re: 68 corvette Big Block Engine Stamp

Look at some basics:

Engine assembly stamp says December 5
That means it better not be a November "D" date stamp on the trim tag. If it is D the game is over.
If that serial number is 6839 the trim tag will be E14 or E15 = December 14 or 15

Check the casting date, alternator date and some other easy to get to dates.

I don't trust Internet pictures to pass judgement on any pad or stamp. Too low resolution, and too difficult to photograph without the right equipment.

Grant you have been at this long enough to know what the orange paint on the fuel filter and alternator brace mean.

[Michael W.]

Re: 68 corvette Big Block Engine Stamp

This car was originally sold from Jack Carter in Calgary alberta. He is the 6th owner. One owner had it for 20 years.

Has the owner contacted GM Canada to verify which options the car had as delivered?

http://www.gm.ca/gm/english/shopping/parts/vintage