69 L-78 JL 9Nxx3691

[BLee67]

I have this shortblock. The block had been sitting in a Houston area machine shop for almost 50 years.
It’s probably a long shot but maybe the car is still around. I have only seen 2 JL code L-78s. Pad is stamped T0212JL

[bcmiller]

It’s ok to listen the full VIN. Without it, the chance of it getting back to the car is near zero.

Is it 9N603691 ?

If so the VIN would be 124379N603691 or 124679N603691

If you would rather not have the full VIN listed, please let us know.

[BLee67]

Unfortunately that's all that I can make out.  In all likelihood it is a March or April car, not sure what the first 2 would be.

[bcmiller]

Sometimes you can try wiping off with degreaser. Then rub chalk on the area and see if more numbers show up.

[x66 714]

Sometimes you can take a picture with a flash from an angle. The shadows will appear in the numbers & letters....Joe

[BLee67]

I looked at JM’s book on p.199, VIN range from March to May 69 began with 61 and ended with 64.  The VIN in all probability starts with one of those 2 digits, maybe even a 65. I looked on an L-78 registry but didn’t see a car listed with those possible VIN combos. The car may even be long gone or not on any registry.

I’ll try the tips mentioned to try and see the missing digits. I tried to post a picture of the stamp but it was too large.

[bcmiller]

Can't really tell much more than 9Nxx3691 from this pic.

Can try rubbing it with chalk then brushing off lightly.

[z28z11]

Going to be hard to tell no matter what - the gang stamp was angled due to the gate or riser where the "9N" started on; the first two in the sequential VIN couldn't quite stretch far enough to contact the block. If you get a better shot of them, please post it -

Steve

[bergy]

That bump is from a core screen :-)

[BLee67]

I had an interesting conversation with a gentleman who now owns a L-78/auto coupe that has a VIN that is 42 cars before the VIN on the block I have.  The VIN on his car is 603649.  So mystery solved. 

[KurtS]

Likely to be 9N603691, but there's no reason it can't be 9N613691.

[DuWayne Ladner]

If it is 603 only 884 cars from mine, which starts 604, and my car is 02D built, 4th week of February. X66. Thanks.

[Kelley W King]

If the other (1of2) JL block you mentioned it might be mine December 68.

[MO]

FWIW, it looks like a 2 before the 3 to me.

[DuWayne Ladner]

BLee67, if it’s by chance 603, would it be for sale? But I’m like MO, I think it’s a 2 instead of zero. Thanks.