The block was cast on September 12, 1968 (I 12
, and assembled on September 18th. The "I" character in the pad stamping was almost always used instead of the "1" number character.
Block casting date:
I = September
12 = day of the month
8 = 1968
Pad Stamping:
V = Flint V-8 Engine plant
09 = September
18 = day of the month
DZ = Usage suffix (Z/28 302)