Engine Dates

[Eugene V.]

Hello again,

Here is another question about engine stamp pad numbers. The TMJG states that the assembly date of the engine and the block casting date should be within in 6 months of each other. The date that appear on the block are July 7, 1970 for assembly and December 8, 1969 for casting. These are from an LS-5. Is an exception to the TMJG possible in a case such as this? Below are photos of the two dates.

Thanks,

Gene Ventura

Build Date.jpgCasting Date.jpg

[Paul D.]

Re: Engine Dates

Eugene, I once owned a 70 corvette built mid July-70...had a late December '69 dated coded 010 block in it....engine assembly was first week in July 70,also heads were dated july 70. I know it was the original engine as the car was wrecked in the early '80s...I bought the car from 2nd owner around '85 with about 40k true miles on it...I never could get the car past the judges on the block dates.....It was a L46 350/350 super loaded Blue coupe...tried to run car thru flight judging at 2 regionals in the late 90's.....Kinda wish I had that car today.....Good luck......P..

[Patrick B.]

Re: Engine Dates

The casting date may be L-28-9, and the stamping and grain are perfect. I don't think there is any doubt about originality. I would hope a knowledgeable judge would recognize its orginality and not worry that it exceeds a good rule of thumb by little more than a week.

[Eugene V.]

Re: Engine Dates

Paul,
Thank you for your reply. I will draw encouragement from it.

Patrick,
I looked through an e-mail from the previous owner and it states that the date is December 13, 1969. I will have to take a closer look when I get home in a few days. I don't know if that will make any difference. I was speaking to a Master Judge at our chapter event last Sunday and he did not offer much encouragement. I will see when the time comes. Thanks for your reply,

Gene Ventura

[Mike E.]

Re: Engine Dates

There is always an exception to every rule. Common sense needs to rule. As I've written in an article, some late 71 LT-1 cars have TI distributors more than 6 months out, because they were using them up. (no TI in 72). If you're going to have a car judged, and you have an anomaly, it behoove you to talk with the team leader in anticipation of your car being judged.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Engine Dates

The casting date may be L-28-9, and the stamping and grain are perfect. I don't think there is any doubt about originality. I would hope a knowledgeable judge would recognize its orginality and not worry that it exceeds a good rule of thumb by little more than a week.

I don't think the date is the 28th. The 8 is in the middle of the tag. The 8 would have been over to the right if the 2 came off or was missing.

[Mike E.]

Re: Engine Dates

Paul,
Thank you for your reply. I will draw encouragement from it.

Patrick,
I looked through an e-mail from the previous owner and it states that the date is December 13, 1969. I will have to take a closer look when I get home in a few days. I don't know if that will make any difference. I was speaking to a Master Judge at our chapter event last Sunday and he did not offer much encouragement. I will see when the time comes. Thanks for your reply,

Gene Ventura

How does the previous owner know that's December 13, 1969?

[Eugene V.]

Re: Engine Dates

Mike,
i do not know how the previous owner came to the conclusion that the date was the 13th. That is what was in the e-mail. I am on the road now and if the weather cooperates when I return on Sunday I am going to take a better look at the casting date. I hope that you are correct about the reasonable application of common sense to the judging process. I will take your advice and speak to the team leader. I am planning to have the car judged at this time next year at our chapter event, if all goes well.

Thanks for your reply,
Gene