1968 V0103 MO stamped block with no VIN

[Hot Rod Todd]

This guy is saying that this block has no VIN stamping and that they did not start this until sometime in 1968. Is this true? Or, could this be an over the counter block?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1968-Chevrolet-302-Short-Block-Z-28-Camaro-READ-THIS_W0QQitemZ290297136135QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item290297136135&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A10|39%3A1|240%3A1318

[dannystarr]

Hey Hot Rod Todd, did you notice that the block you are asking about has the same exact assembly date as another you mentioned. A few days ago you were wondering about the Corvette Bronze 68' Z/28. It has VOIO3MO also. What are the odds, the same day. BUT, it has a VIN stamped on it and has never been decked. I have seen probably 50 of the early MO blocks and they ALL had a VIN stamped on them. Real curious what Jerry, and the guys are going to say.....Danny

[Hot Rod Todd]

Thanks Danny, that is why I posted it. My car has a build date of 12D so I would not need a VIN stamped block if this seller is correct. However, I think he is mistaken. Mass production makes all kinds of errors and probably misses a stamp now and then. Jerry will know for sure.

Hey Hot Rod Todd, did you notice that the block you are asking about has the same exact assembly date as another you mentioned. A few days ago you were wondering about the Corvette Bronze 68' Z/28. It has VOIO3MO also. What are the odds, the same day. BUT, it has a VIN stamped on it and has never been decked. I have seen probably 50 of the early MO blocks and they ALL had a VIN stamped on them. Real curious what Jerry, and the guys are going to say.....Danny

[samanatoo]

Should be a partial vin on front pad.

[Hot Rod Todd]

Scary stuff. When there is money on the line, the counterfeits are rampant.

[Jerry@CHP]

Here's some data that is important.  All original '68 Z28s that I've seen have the vin stamped on the deck no matter what the BD was.  When Ben Wenzel won the NHRA US Nationals in Sept, 1967, he was given a brand new 302 engine block from Chevrolet for the win.  It has an MO code on the block and no vin.  The sides of the block still have 302 written in paint.  Still owns it and it's still in the crate that GM supplied.

Jerry

[william]

Back in the days I was chasing ZL-1 stuff no VIN engines were common. Chevy built 80 ME code engines 2 of which were installed in Corvettes. I have seen several of them. They also built 14 MG code [auto] none of which were ever assembled in cars. Vintage Berger and Nickey catalogs listed complete 302 or 425/427 engines as available.

[KurtS]

Those ZL1's were built with a suffix (and an intent), but then turned into service parts.

Most crate motors that I've seen did not have production suffixes on them.