Engine pad opinions

**chevyman0429** · #1 08-09-2024, 11:37 PM

Gentleman i have a lead on a late 68 JD 396 block and was wanting opinions on engine stamp ! Guy claims hes owned it since 1990 and its been on stand since. The motors 3 hours one way but i want your guys opinion on stamp before i make the trip. Its a 9-17-68 date code JD 4 bolt block. I know not the greatest picture but all i have. Thanks

daveg · #2 Yesterday, 01:46 AM

One for comparison.
Cast date on block is A 28 9

**tom406** · #3 Yesterday, 02:33 AM

I can’t tell much about the broach marks, but I like the stamp, especially compared to the other example. There are many similarities in font, spacing, alignment.

**Bill Pritchard** · #4 Yesterday, 07:33 PM

The stamp that dave posted, the two zeros are the same, whereas the stamp that chevyman posted the two zeros are slightly different. FWIW, 5 months difference between cast date and build date seems like a lot....in my experience with the 69 model year, the two dates were usually much closer together, like dave's example.

**WILMASBOYL78** · #5 Yesterday, 07:50 PM

It might help to know the game plan for the block if you buy it.

Do you just want/need a 4 bolt block?? Does the cast date or assembly date matter??

Photo is a little fuzzy to confirm originality...the anomaly with the 'zeros' might be something to take a closer look at.

Again, unless the date stamp is critical...??

-wilma

Rsconv68 · #6 Today, 01:27 AM

I’d like to see the VIN stamp to compare timelines.

**chevyman0429** · #7 Today, 02:28 AM

I just got home making the 6 1/2 hour round trip to look and buy the shortblock. It’s definitely a 69 L78 396 4 bolt main with the original steel crank. Cast date of I-17-8 Here are some more crappy pictures but it does have a kansas vin number on it. It has been bored .30 but cylinder walls are near perfect . I bought it for my 69 ss396 300 deluxe 4 speed post car project however if the original car is still out there it might be available to cars owner for something comparable (69 motor)in trade.

**Bill Pritchard** · #8 Today, 05:39 PM

CON VIN stamp looks good to me, and that's probably a good date match for an engine assembled February 7th.

**chevyman0429** · #9 Today, 07:42 PM

I have also put it in the orphan thread!

The Following User Says Thank You to daveg For This Useful Post:
chevyman0429 (Yesterday)

The Following User Says Thank You to tom406 For This Useful Post:
chevyman0429 (Yesterday)

The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to chevyman0429 For This Useful Post:
1967 4K (Today), 69M22Z (Today), PeteLeathersac (Today), scuncio (Today), tom406 (Today), Too Many Projects (Today)

The Following User Says Thank You to Bill Pritchard For This Useful Post:
chevyman0429 (Today)