VIN Stamp Missing DZ302?

[Repsol93]

I know the engine stamping moved from the front pad to the pad by the oil filter after December 1968.

If I am not seeing the stamping by the oil filter on a 302 block that was assembled in April 1969, is it possible Norwood forgot to stamp the pad? The paint has not been stripped off yet, but it doesn't even appear to be in the spot. Is it possible that they forgot to stamp it, or they stamped it elsewhere?

[Repsol93]

Also forgot to mention the VIN is stamped on the transmission which makes it strange to me that it wouldn't be on the engine. The  block number was stamped on the engine.

[rare396bronze]

It is hard to see the vin on the side of the block because it is stamped in the ruff part of the cast not like the smooth pad on front. Will need to get paint off and may half to use a magnifying glass to see it! That was the only way I could see the vin on my302dz motor

[bcmiller]

Yes you may need to use paint remover and a medium bristle brush. Don't use a wire brush. Clean it well and you MAY be able to see a partial VIN. No guarantees though.

[Repsol93]

Okay thanks fellas. I'll have to see what happens once we get to stripping the paint off.

[6667ss138]

As stated by the others, they can be very hard to see especially if the engine is still in the car. I had to strip the paint, practically stand on my head, use a magnifying glass and a very bright light and then finally I could barely make out the last few numbers of the VIN on my 69 Z.

[FortLangleyBC]

Likewise with mine - can only make out X3563X. The casting is very rough.

[x66 714]

I used a good digital camera with a flash to see one by the oil filter. You could only see it in pictures. Even was hard to see with the engine on the stand.
The flash creates shadows...Joe

[firstgenaddict]

There are quite a few April DZ's with NO vin stamps... My old V0409DZ had none anywhere and since then I have talked to multiple people with early April DZ's without VIN stamps ANYWHERE.

[Dusk Blue Z]

James,

Does the "no stamp anywhere" mean the transmission too?

It was my understanding that the gang stamp was made up and engine and trans was stamped at the same time, so the stamps should be exactly the same. With the aluminum trans cases being softer they took the stamp better. So if an engine VIN was missed I might expect the transmission to be too. I don't know if I have ever seen this documented, but I would think the VIN stamps would be added after the engine and transmission was installed in the subframe to make sure they will line up with the correct car.

Mike

[Repsol93]

Thanks so much for the info/help guys. After the paint was stripped off, it still took getting the right lighting to pick up the VIN stamp numbers. Didn't realize how difficult it would be to actually see the stamping.

[Repsol93]

There are quite a few April DZ's with NO vin stamps... My old V0409DZ had none anywhere and since then I have talked to multiple people with early April DZ's without VIN stamps ANYWHERE.

Out of curiosity, are the DZ's missing VIN stamps from a particular date range, or is it all over the place?

[KurtS]

I don't see it in any particular date range. Most of the time it's just what you found - really hard to see the VIN.