Re: Opinions on Stampings
 

----The VIN stampings by the oil filter were gang stamped so "yes" they would generally line up. I think that sometimes the gang holder as well as the individual letters would become worn and allow for a small amount of misallignment, but not much. All bets are off if there is a factory restamp done, although thats not the case here.
----Is and 1s did appear to be interchangeable to some degree.....Bill S

Re: Opinions on Stampings
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: David C.</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This is an L78 we just purchased and sold recently. The engine is being rebuilt, I can get a vin picture when it gets back here.
rusty l78 engine code </div></div>

David,

This is most certainly a restamp - it is missing all the patina that an original non-rebuilt motor should have. By the way, I am being very sarcastic - that is a good example of what a stamping should look like. I would really like to see the vin pad and compare them.

Re: Opinions on Stampings
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: talwell</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: David C.</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This is an L78 we just purchased and sold recently. The engine is being rebuilt, I can get a vin picture when it gets back here.
rusty l78 engine code </div></div>

David,

This is most certainly a restamp - it is missing all the patina that an original non-rebuilt motor should have. By the way, I am being very sarcastic - that is a good example of what a stamping should look like. I would really like to see the vin pad and compare them. </div></div>

I am surprised by the misalignment of the letters on this block...not that I have not seen that before..but not too often... or is it the angle of the pic maybe?? or just my old age and vision failing me??

Re: Opinions on Stampings
 

Todd..for what it is worth..I like your stamping better than David,s....the pitting and aging on your deck looks very similar to my MO 302 block..and also reminds me of the pic of the COPO block that was posted here a while back..it was the car that had people arriving with trailers trying to buy it out from underneath the agreed upon purchaser...I believe it was missing the rear and trans..and then apparently reunited with the original car later.....anyone have that pic of that deck?

Re: Opinions on Stampings
 

Here's the VIN stamp by the oil filter on my 02D-built L78:

http://67z28.net/L78/images/IMG_3754-1.jpg

http://67z28.net/L78/images/IMG_3754-2.jpg

Re: Opinions on Stampings
 

The VIN in question is very different from the picture I have of one although 50k cars in between them. One thing I notice is that the numbers are much farther apart than the picture below and it's upside down but that may be common?

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...VIN-1-Copy.jpg

Re: Opinions on Stampings
 

The rusty L78 I posted a picture of had been sitting outside in Rochester NY since 1975. It was by far one of the worse condition cars I have ever seen. However... The vin stamp next to the oil filter was clear as day, even the paint held up quite well on it. Most we see are like what others have mentioned, very light. Unfortunately Bob took a photo of it and has probably tossed it by now. When the motor comes back from the machine shop I can get better photos of both stampings for you.

Was your engine rebuilt at all? Usually the bellousing would have some orange overspray on it from the factory. Don't take my word for it though as I am not very certain. The car I have posted about lost it's original tranny long ago.

Re: Opinions on Stampings
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 69 Post Sedan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The VIN in question is very different from the picture I have of one although 50k cars in between them. One thing I notice is that the numbers are much farther apart than the picture below and it's upside down but that may be common?

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...VIN-1-Copy.jpg </div></div>

Another &quot;for what it is worth&quot;...although I do not recall seeing a 69 Camaro as such, my 70 Z that I sold just a few years ago had the characters spaced apart very similar to your block.. I will search for a pic and post it when I get home.

Re: Opinions on Stampings
 

Got a better pic of the trim tag?

Re: Opinions on Stampings
 

On this same car - would it have been normal to have a rear axle that is coded &quot;bs&quot;? The date range is correct being an 0204 but was not sure if the 3:31 locker would have been the axle that is expected to be in this car.