1970 L46 pad stamp

[D S.]

A person here in Texas recently purchased his first C-3. He has previously owned C-1s and C-2s. The car is a 1970 350/350 convertible with AC which is a CTJ broadcast code. He says the J is stamped backwards. Has anyone seen this or heard of other reports of this?

Thanks,
Scott Sims
Texas Chapter

[Michael W.]

Re: 1970 L46 pad stamp

It's probably CTL and not CTJ. If so, it's a base engine car and not an L46.

Got a pic?

[D S.]

Re: 1970 L46 pad stamp

There wasn't a CTL for a 1970 Corvette. Passenger car? Truck?

[Michael W.]

Re: 1970 L46 pad stamp

According to my NCRS pocket book and other sources, CTL= 1970 base engine w 4 speed and qjet.

[D S.]

Re: 1970 L46 pad stamp

I refer you to the 1970-1972 Corvette TIM&JG, 4th Edition, page 54 read the paragraph below the broadcast codes. I found only one Internet reference to a 1970 Corvette CTL but the 1970-1972 Corvete TIM&JG takes precedence until other evidence surfaces in the 5th Edition.

[Mike F.]

Re: 1970 L46 pad stamp

Does the tach redline at 6k?

[D S.]

Re: 1970 L46 pad stamp

Thank you! I was going to ask what notably differentiates 350/300 from 350/350 besides the distributor band (if still there) and vacuum advance if not replaced. The carburetor was replaced with a 7040502. That's for a 350/300 CE TH400, right? The car is a 4-speed.

[Mike F.]

Re: 1970 L46 pad stamp

Yes, 0502 is for a 350/300 auto. The carbs with "5" in it are for the Evaporative Control System (NA9 - California cars). They'll have an extra vacuum port on the front side.

FYI- I've yet to run across an L46 car with a/c even though it was available.

[Bill W.]

Re: 1970 L46 pad stamp

Mike , I am second owner of a 1970 L46 350/350 4 speed with power steering ,power brakes, & AC. # 2650 built 2/5/70 engine code CTJ .

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1970 L46 pad stamp

Yes, 0502 is for a 350/300 auto. The carbs with "5" in it are for the Evaporative Control System (NA9 - California cars). They'll have an extra vacuum port on the front side.

FYI- I've yet to run across an L46 car with a/c even though it was available.

I know of one that's a convertible, second owner car.

[Michael W.]

Re: 1970 L46 pad stamp

Mike , I am second owner of a 1970 L46 350/350 4 speed with power steering ,power brakes, & AC. # 2650 built 2/5/70 engine code CTJ .

Not doubting that in the least. CTJ shows up as one of two possible '70 codes for L46 with 4 speed and AC, with CTO being the other. Maybe it's CTO and the O was only partially stamped?

In thinking about how engine stamps are done, I cannot imagine a 'J' stamp being manufactured backwards in the first place, never mind a backwards stamp making it all the way to the Flint production line and being used without someone noticing.

The 'backwards J' actually being an 'L' and CTL being a valid code (according to many references including NCRS) or a poorly stamped CTO seems to be a much simpler explanation . The car not having it's original carb does not help the case.

A pic of the pad would probably reveal all.

[William C.]

Re: 1970 L46 pad stamp

The characters in the holder are retained by a rod thru a slot in the edge of ONE side of the character. Nearly impossible to get one backwards unless stamped without the holder.

[Michael W.]

Re: 1970 L46 pad stamp

The characters in the holder are retained by a rod thru a slot in the edge of ONE side of the character. Nearly impossible to get one backwards unless stamped without the holder.

That would make it upside down, but not backward.

[D S.]

Re: 1970 L46 pad stamp

Not doubting that in the least. CTJ shows up as one of two possible '70 codes for L46 with 4 speed and AC, with CTO being the other. Maybe it's CTO and the O was only partially stamped?

In thinking about how engine stamps are done, I cannot imagine a 'J' stamp being manufactured backwards in the first place, never mind a backwards stamp making it all the way to the Flint production line and being used without someone noticing.

The 'backwards J' actually being an 'L' and CTL being a valid code (according to many references including NCRS) or a poorly stamped CTO seems to be a much simpler explanation . The car not having it's original carb does not help the case.

A pic of the pad would probably reveal all.

I agree, Michael. I have never seen or heard of a backward suffix code letter stamping but I don't have the broader view of Corvettes that the NCRS judges do. I sent an email to the owner asking for clear photos of the suffix code lettering, distributor tag number, vacuum advance number, and tachometer redline as suggested from a responder here. When I get replies from the owner I will reply to this post with his answers. Might have to edit the answers if he discovers he bought a 350/300 rather than a misrepresented 350/350.
Thanks for your input.

[William C.]

Re: 1970 L46 pad stamp

Any chance of a crisp sharp picture?