pad stamp?

[1968z28]

is there a way for a rookie to verify a genuine 302 pad stamp?  how do you know if it's real?  is it the letter size, style, or what?  what sizes are the engine code and vin?  do you just measure the letter height?

[ko-lek-tor]

To answer the 1st question (which largely will answer the other ?'s): In a word - NO. That is why there are terms like rookie, newbie...etc, because average Joes cannot tell. And that is good, why? If everyone knew, then there would not be "rookies", everyone would be a Pro and everyone would know what to do to perfect the fake world we live in. So, leave it to the Pros on here and post a pic and they will give an honest evaluation to help avoid the fake trap.

[william]

Can't speak for '68s but '69 DZ block stamps had several subtle changes over the 14 month production run. That means there are overlapping dates for August, September, October. And guess what? A DZ block stamped in '68 won't necessarily match the same date in '69. DZ engines weren't built every day and there are 3 block casting numbers to deal with. Tonawanda blocks are not identical to Flint even for the same casting number. For the most part all blocks built on the same day have the same stamp.

We are amassing a library of stampings for comparative purposes. Anyone that wants to help out, send a clear photo of your block stamp to Kurt or myself.

[1968z28]

i'm anxious to see the MO examples.  could someone include a scale next to both size letters so i can at least see the right size?  also what letter spacing?  did they use the same size stamps on muncie transmissions?
if a 68DZ used different stamps than 69DZs, sounds like there was more than 1 set of stamps used.  is that only true for DZs or any engine during that period?

[x66 714]

is there a way for a rookie to verify a genuine 302 pad stamp?  how do you know if it's real?  is it the letter size, style, or what?  what sizes are the engine code and vin?  do you just measure the letter height?

If you want to know if it's real, post a picture...Joe

[1968z28]

i don't have a picture.  i'm trying to buy one and don't want to get burned.  is this some secret code or something?  seems there could be a few clues explained?

[cook_dw]

My $0.02

Main reason is because the fakers or restampers of the world are getting better and better by the day.  This is the main reason for the "secrecy".  Unfortunately or fortunately it takes time and experience researching to get to the point that several here have achieved.  This is a passion and a hobby.  


I just wanted to add that you do not want to rush into a purchase.  You will need to research every car you look at to make sure you are getting what you want.  It will be somewhat of a long process especially for the novice.

[z28z11]

i don't have a picture.  i'm trying to buy one and don't want to get burned.  is this some secret code or something?  seems there could be a few clues explained?

Post a pic. I've got a known original MO stamped block to compare it to, plus a good rule of thumb is to look at the block deck surface - milling feed lines from decking or surfacing that run at a tangent to the stamping are usually a dead giveaway that it's probably restamped. Too clean a surface is also an obvious. After that, font size and character shapes are clues that "sumting wong" -

[bcmiller]

The fonts of MO stamped engines did not remain the same through the 1968 model year. Like DZ stamps in 1969, there were subtle changes.

If you find a car you are interested in buying, get a picture of the engine stamp and post it here if you want to know if it is genuine or not.

[1968z28]

it looks like the date code is made with gang stamp and vin was stamped individually because they're out of line.  is that right?

[dannystarr]

That's starting to look good. Now DO NOT use a screwdriver or any chisel type tool to finish cleaning the pad area. Not even a hard bristle brush.Use carb cleaner or brakleen and a rag and get the rest of the paint off. ALL od the paint. Then take close-up pictures, as close as you can get that are CLEAR, showing the actual original broaching of the block surface. Like my stamp below. And soon you will have your answer... Danny

[69Z28-RS]

I totally agree with Danny; what we can see doesn't look bad, but too much paint and not sufficient resolution/detail to ascertain...
If I see factory broach marks, and the stamping is good and consistent with factory marks, then there would not be anything in the stamping to raise issue (but I still want to know *everything* I can find out about the block.. it's cast date, cast no, the heads and other parts on it, if it's running does it 'run correctly' per the app code, etc).. before I'd make a 'buying determination'...

[cook_dw]

Can you post the VIN please?

[69 Zee]

1968z28,  First and foremost welcome to CRG     You come to the perfect place for answers.

I (Very new here also) gotta agree with all the others here.  We are HOBBYIST here and without sounding harsh and taking this the wrong way I think you'll understand and appreciate why your not exactly going to get pics showing any measurements of font style and spacing.

1)  There were several font styles used and they could vary day-to-day... ex "I" was used as "1" in some setups.  CRG has a large data bank of REAL VIN stamps and dates to compare any pics you can get.  If it was stamped on the same day and location then it'll look the same as one in the data bank.
2)  If we (The hobbyist) posted pics showing measurement, then we'd be shooting ourselves in the foot.  We'd be teaching/showing those who want to do nothing but merely profit from new guys like you/me by selling a fake Re-stamp.  And that's not what we wanna do.  Heck there are guys out there that would stamp their mothers backside if they thought they could sell her off as "Rare one of a kind"   

On my journey I searched high and low.. I even bored these guys     for several months on end with Trim tags and engine stamps.  I got my answers right away.  What I'm saying is.. be patient if your looking for something in particular.  Post as many pics and as close up as possible.  Some of these guys here can tell in a split second just looking for broach marks, decking, an old stamp or fresh looking stamp made to look old, they've seen it all.

and last.. if someone gets offended because you want to take a pic and have it checked out... then run and run fast !

Good luck,  and welcome again
 

[z28z11]

it looks like the date code is made with gang stamp and vin was stamped individually because they're out of line.  is that right?

Correct. VIN and engine code are stamped separately. Note the positioning and fonts in the following pic -