C3 Engine Pad question

[Joseph U.]

Attached is a photo of an engine pad for what is being described as a 1971 LT-1.
Why does the pad seem to have "BAKER" stamped into the pad. Is this common for a C3 - I have never seen this on a C1 or C2 but then what do I know.
Just asking and trying to become educated.
Thanks,
Joe
10211094_27.jpg

[Mike E.]

Re: C3 Engine Pad question

Best guess is that when the engine was rebuilt, the rebuilder stamped in the engine owner's last name. Most rebuilders will stamp something in a spot you don't want it unless you are VERY specific about them not doing that.

[Michael W.]

Re: C3 Engine Pad question

Name of the last guy or shop that had the head off, maybe for an overhaul?

[Joseph U.]

Re: C3 Engine Pad question

So what is the effect on Judging?
Joe

[Joseph U.]

Re: C3 Engine Pad question

Not only with judging - but might this be a "re-stamp" and not the OM?
I guess that is a more important question.
joe

[Michael W.]

Re: C3 Engine Pad question

So what is the effect on Judging?
Joe

Your pic is not that clear and the pad is dirty/corroded. On the presumption that the original stampings and broached surface are otherwise untouched, no effect on judging.

[Joseph U.]

Re: C3 Engine Pad question

Your pic is not that clear and the pad is dirty/corroded. On the presumption that the original stampings and broached surface are otherwise untouched, no effect on judging.

Thanks Michael,
What I am trying to learn is how to evaluate a car as a possible restoration candidate. It would appear that it costs just as much and takes just as much effort to restore a NOM car as an OM car - but the value of the end product is much different. Now I know that should one want a totally restored car - the most economical way to get one is to buy one. But what fun is that. So in the absence of "documentation" you need some knowledge to make sure you get the right start (not that anyone selling a car would mis-represent it, I am not saying that since I know all sellers are totally honest and pictures are never "photoshopped") but it is still comforting to be informed. So should a pad such as this dissuade me and suggest that I continue the search.
Just asking and I realize that advice is rarely worth more than you pay for it. Attached is another photo of the pad.
thanks
Joe

[Jack H.]

Re: C3 Engine Pad question

Your pic is not that clear and the pad is dirty/corroded. On the presumption that the original stampings and broached surface are otherwise untouched, no effect on judging.

Interesting. I would have assumed that extraneous stampings/markings on the pad would result in some deduction for "not typical of production".

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 Engine Pad question

Attached is a photo of an engine pad for what is being described as a 1971 LT-1.
Why does the pad seem to have "BAKER" stamped into the pad. Is this common for a C3 - I have never seen this on a C1 or C2 but then what do I know.
Just asking and trying to become educated.
Thanks,
Joe
[ATTACH=CONFIG]45923[/ATTACH]

Joe------


The picture is not clear enough or close-up enough for me to see very much of the pad stamping. However, if the word "BAKER" is stamped somewhere on the pad, that happened after the car left St. Louis. Sometimes, engine rebuilders will stamp something on an engine to identify an engine they have rebuilt.

As I say, I can't see the pad well enough to comment on anything else.

[Don L.]

Re: C3 Engine Pad question

Interesting. I would have assumed that extraneous stampings/markings on the pad would result in some deduction for "not typical of production".

+1 (presuming that the "BAKER 188(0?)" stamp has not been seen on another known-original engine)

[Edward J.]

Re: C3 Engine Pad question

Joe. Do you know the area the cars from? or any history?

[Joseph U.]

Re: C3 Engine Pad question

Sorry Ed,
No history or documentation. I asked.
BTW - clicked on the link for your 1972 coupe. Looks like a beautiful car. I am jealous.
joe

[Michael W.]

Re: C3 Engine Pad question

Interesting. I would have assumed that extraneous stampings/markings on the pad would result in some deduction for "not typical of production".

The rules for judging the pad are unique. Being that each of the three features (engine machine code, VIN derivative and pad surface) are all-or-nothing decisions and there's probably no such thing as a 'perfect' pad, the judge would have no choice to give every pad a complete deduct. The rules say that at least some of the original pad surface must be intact to not garner a deduct. I presumed that aside from the added characters, the remainder of the original surface is intact.

That's how I understand it.

[Edward J.]

Re: C3 Engine Pad question

I googled Baker engines , There was a few Baker engine rebuilders listed, generally that the company or rebuilders last name stamped. I have seen this before by a local machine shop. it use to be common, but may not so much anymore.

Thanks for the compliment on the 72

[Mike E.]

Re: C3 Engine Pad question

I wouldn't forget the car just because of the Baker stamping on it. That car (#2395) was one of the first off the line after the September-November 1970 strike. For the engine to be assembled on August 25th would be very probable. The assembly stamp and vin stamp look very good on the admittedly small picture. Broach marks are visible but not too deep, and in the proper orientation. I see three possible scenarios for that stamp pad:
1) It's original and the Baker was added during a rebuild.
2) It's a restamp and someone added the Baker to take the focus off the restamp.
3) It's a restamp and someone was really dumb about not taking the Baker off when it was restamped.
My assessment would be that it is (1).
Don't give up on the car, but use the Baker stamp as a negotiating tool, and subsequently leave the pad unmolested. Trying somehow to removed the Baker would be harmful to the judging evaluation of the pad.
Regards,
Mike
If you pursue the car, you'll find most components should be dated July-mid September, even though it's a late November car. The trim tag on the car would be either D24 or D25.

Thanks Michael,
What I am trying to learn is how to evaluate a car as a possible restoration candidate. It would appear that it costs just as much and takes just as much effort to restore a NOM car as an OM car - but the value of the end product is much different. Now I know that should one want a totally restored car - the most economical way to get one is to buy one. But what fun is that. So in the absence of "documentation" you need some knowledge to make sure you get the right start (not that anyone selling a car would mis-represent it, I am not saying that since I know all sellers are totally honest and pictures are never "photoshopped") but it is still comforting to be informed. So should a pad such as this dissuade me and suggest that I continue the search.
Just asking and I realize that advice is rarely worth more than you pay for it. Attached is another photo of the pad.
thanks
Joe