Opinions on Stampings

talwell · #1 03-09-2011, 02:55 PM

I located and purchased a 1969 Camaro 396/375hp car that is supposed to have the original born with engine and trans.

The trim tag shows the car as a 02D - 4th week of February car. The engine is stamped T0210JH - Feb 10th 396/375hp Manual Special High Performance and the vin is stamped by the oil filter. I have not gotten a chance to get the trans or rear stampings yet but will have them in a few days.

What are your opinions on the pad and vin stampings? I am attaching the trim tag as well showing it as a X22 garnet red w. 711 base interior. The tag appears to have good rivets and does not appear to have been removed.

**iluv69s** · #2 03-09-2011, 03:52 PM

I´m sure the experts here will chime in, but I would get ahold of Kurt S from CRG...or maybe he will chime in here...

I will say that the pad stamp sure looks well aged...and also that is the clearest vin stamp I have seen...most that I have seen are barely legible...

but I am no expert on these stampings...

sounds like a cool car if it turns out to be real!! good luck !!

David C. · #3 03-09-2011, 03:57 PM

I have a picture of an original L78 motor stamped seven days past this one. A Norwood car as well. On the one I have, the head must have been in place for them to stamp as you can see the angle it was stamped at.

**olredalert** · #4 03-09-2011, 04:02 PM

-----A picture of the pad with just a bit of cleaning so as to try to judge the broach marks would help. Nothing too abrasive. Id have to say that things look OK so far, though......Bill S

talwell · #5 03-09-2011, 04:13 PM

I will see if I can clean up the pad or even get the head off and take a few more pics. The pad I feel pretty confident about - the vin stamping does look rather deep to me. I does show the typical varying depth where the lower portion the stamping is not as deep as the top but I am still suspect that it appears too deep.

**olredalert** · #6 03-09-2011, 04:21 PM

----The depth isnt an issue with me, but I guess someone else may disagree.....Bill S

talwell · #7 03-09-2011, 04:32 PM

On the VIN stampings by the filter - is it common for them to be so straight - meaning that all the charactors line up so well? Also, was it ever seen where they would use an "I" instead of the "1" like they would do with other stampings? I have reviewed a few other vin stampings and the one thing that I see that is consistant is that the are all inconsistant [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]

**iluv69s** · #8 03-09-2011, 04:51 PM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: talwell</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I have reviewed a few other vin stampings and the one thing that I see that is consistant is that the are all inconsistant [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img] </div></div>

I agree...you should try to compare to other blocks within the same time frame..there seems to be "somewhat" more consistency with motors stamped within a few days.

also the trans VIN stamp should have been stamped with the same fonts/characters...(I am not sure if that is so on 100% of the cars)...if they are different, I would be suspicious...

**iluv69s** · #9 03-09-2011, 04:51 PM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: David C.</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a picture of an original L78 motor stamped seven days past this one. A Norwood car as well. On the one I have, the head must have been in place for them to stamp as you can see the angle it was stamped at. </div></div>

How about posting a pic?

David C. · #10 03-09-2011, 04:56 PM

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