Engine pad re-stamp???

[JHS]

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.

[JHS]

Picture will not upload.

[Mr70]

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.

[Allen]

[ 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.

[JHS]

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.

[Mr70]

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]

[Jeff H]

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.

[Mr70]

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

[CamarosRus]

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

[JHS]

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.