Engine pad re-stamp???
 

I recently purchased a 1970 L78 Camaro project car. My first mistake was not looking at the car myself but allowing an acquantaince, with whom I had done business before, look at it. It was purported to be a RS/SS L78 NOM car that was in the process of restoration. As the car was in KY I could not go look at it but assumed my "agent" was knowledgeable and could decide if it was worth the $$. He called after looking at the car and said it was a real L78 car and the block, although not original, was a 3969854 casting with G319 cast date and T0807 CKO pad stamping. What he did not tell me was that the pad stamping was on the right side of the pad where the VIN usually is on post-1965 blocks! There is no VIN stamped on the block that I can find. My "agent" says that he has seen this before so thought nothing of it. He bought the car with my money, brought it home where I then learned that the trim tag had been removed and re-attached because "people in KY take them off because they get stolen". I now have a car with questionable trim tag, NOM, Non original trans, not sure of rear end yet, car that probably has a re-stamped engine. I am attempting to attach a pic of the pad so please feel free to give me you comments (except calling me stupid as I already know this). I trusted someone else that supposedly knew what they were doing and now must pay the price.

Re: Engine pad re-stamp???
 

Picture will not upload.

Re: Engine pad re-stamp???
 

Welcome & sorry to hear this.
Your attachment doesn't appear.
What's your rearend suffix and date?
Among other things,that Tonawanda engine assembly date of August 7th,is a RED flag to me from the start,seeing as the 1970 Camaro was delayed and didn't premiere until February/March 1970.

Re: Engine pad re-stamp???
 

[ QUOTE ]
Welcome.
Your attachment doesn't appear.
What's your rearend suffix and date?
Among other things,that Tonawanda engine assembly date of August 7th,is a RED flag to me from the start,seeing as the 1970 Camaro was delayed and didn't premiere until February 1970.

[/ QUOTE ]

If it was known as a non-original motor anyway, then the date probably would be out of line.

Re: Engine pad re-stamp???
 

I know the engine is not original to the car so the assembly date is not at issue. I question the location of the Tonowanda stamping location: on the right side of pad vs the left side. I was interested in getting a correct suffix code & cast# block (CKO) but am now questioning that. My pic won't upload even though it is 888KB. Not sure how to make any smaller.

Re: Engine pad re-stamp???
 

Is it at least a 4 bolt main block?...look for the external Oil cooler provision.
Email that picture to me & I will shrink & post.
[email protected]

Re: Engine pad re-stamp???
 

Would the CKO code be correct for a 1970 Camaro, Nova or Chevelle? If so, it might be a legit engine and stamping but it would be too early for a 1970 Camaro L78. It might be a Nova or Chevelle engine. I think you need to host the picture on a website to upload it.

Re: Engine pad re-stamp???
 

Yes..All three of those Models shared the CKO/L-78 engine suffix in 1970.
Here is the Pad Picture from JHS.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ers/PadPic.jpg

Re: Engine pad re-stamp???
 

My 70 L-78 Camaro, built 01C Norwood is THE earliest one I know of. It has CKO engine assembled in Nov, cast in Oct.
I would certainly think that a Aug assembled CKO would have been installed in L-78 Chevelle or Nova. I would bet under CLOSE inspection you could find a partial VIN # stamped on lower left bellhousing flange.....starting with 10(1 = Chev Motor Div 0 = 1970) and then a LETTER for car plant nad 6 digit VIN #.....

Chuck Sharin

Re: Engine pad re-stamp???
 

Does your pad have the assembly info/VIN info on the pad or is the VIN stamped by the oil filter/bell housing flange? I thought only a few BB's were stamped with the VIN by the oil filter and that was in early 1969? My trim tag indicates a 03C build date.

Re: Engine pad re-stamp???
 

Have you determined if this is at least a 4 bolt main block?
On Van Nuys assembled 1970 Chevelles,it's not uncommon to find the last 6 digits of the VIN# stamped into the boss next to the Oil Filter.
I know of a few that were built in March 70 that have it.
What stymies me is where your Tona date is stamped.
Never seen it that far right for this vintage.

Re: Engine pad re-stamp???
 

Below are a few misc pics to help with ID'ing 1970 Camaro's L-78 and otherwise. I show a CKO deck stamping from Tonawanda....where the number ONE looks like the LETTER I.
On the deck with CKO it also has a "L" Vin stamped which was common for Los Angeles........but Norwood 70 Camaros usually (I dont know so cant say always) had the VIN stamped on Bellhousing flange as did the pictured "W" Nova CKO.......
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ameMfgDate.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...0Misc/pad3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...0Misc/Tach.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...0Misc/Vin1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...0Misc/Vin2.jpg

Re: Engine pad re-stamp???
 

The VIN on my L78 and most of the other original 1970 L78’s is stamped at the rear of
the block by the oil filter. My car is a first week of June and it has a November dated
engine. Where at in Kentucky did you find this car? Mine was found in Morgantown
Kentucky after sitting in a barn for 24 years…
PS, Nice pictures Chuck, Looks like you getting better at this. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: Engine pad re-stamp???
 

It is a 4 bolt main block and no VIN can be seen at bellhousing flange, by me anyway. I know little about 1970 Camaro's and have not looked at rear axle yet. The trim tag indicates it is a Norwood car but not sure what should be stamped on flange (N, etc.). Trying to get the "warm and fuzzy" about what I have before pumping lots of $$ into resto as I am too anal to do it half-(you know).

Re: Engine pad re-stamp???
 

Yo...........70SS/RS-L78...I still got acorns on my shop floor from bringing Kentuckey Gold home!!! Damn squirrels.
Jeff https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gifx2

Re: Engine pad re-stamp???
 

Where was that 52270N2 code stamped??

Re: Engine pad re-stamp???
 

I was wondering the same thing Kurt. Looks like a subframe bushing right above it.
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

Re: Engine pad re-stamp???
 

I apoligize for not resizing at least the frame picture and maybe others......the largest pic above shows a 70 Camaro subframe with mfg date.....

Chuck Sharin

Re: Engine pad re-stamp???
 

Then I don't think that's the correct decode for that stamp.
Norwood didn't build that frame, hence wouldn't have stamped a date on it. The supplier would have stamped it.
To approach it the other way, ever see an LA car with a L code on subrame?

Re: Engine pad re-stamp???
 

stamp could have been done at the factory, not at the subframe builder, which is more likely the case anyhow, how else would you keep straight what subframe/engine assy goes with what body assy?

Re: Engine pad re-stamp???
 

Never saw a subframe date stamped into the metal frame. Citrus Z, there is no VIN on the frame, just a date code, not sure how that would beep the body, engine and frame together. Also why stamp the plant assuming the N= Norwood. A new mystery...

Re: Engine pad re-stamp???
 

My dumb. Some times I type faster than I think....