1973 BB engine re-stamped?

Chris-in-Alberta · 03-30-2005, 12:29 AM

Have been looking at a 73 bb coupe needing restoration, engine stamp agrees with pillar numbers and black book, however some of the numbers on the block are sized differently...the prefix group larger than the last numbers. Is that unusual?

RHD '68 L89 · 03-30-2005, 02:28 AM

The different size numbers sound normal to me.
The way to tell if it is a restamp is by the broach marks made by the machining. Hopefully someone will pipe in about those.

wacked · 03-30-2005, 05:41 AM

Good luck, hope it works out for you. Just hope you dont need to find a Flywheel.

Mike Ward · 03-30-2005, 09:17 AM

What do you mean by the 'prefix' group? If it's 'T' followed by 3 or 4 digits followed by three letters, then this is the engine plant stamp. The other stamp would be the VIN derivitive and is usually smaller in size.

Can you post a picture?

JohnZ · 03-30-2005, 02:59 PM

All the engine plant-stamped characters (like T0309IP, for example) are EXACTLY the same height (1/4"), and all the assembly plant-stamped characters (the VIN derivative) are EXACTLY the same height (3/16"). If either stamp has mixed character heights, chances are 99.9% it's a re-stamp.

Chris-in-Alberta · 03-30-2005, 05:06 PM

I took a picture of the block stamp, alas too close for focus on the digital. I read the following on the block TU223 CWR (Large type) and 13Sxxxxxx smaller type

The xxxxxx matched the window pillar numbers.

Mike Ward · 03-30-2005, 09:56 PM

Is it possible that the U is actually an 0? If so, then it's a 454/275 for a non-California Turbo 400 car, built Feb 23.

What date is on the trim tag on the drivers side door jam?

Chris-in-Alberta · 03-31-2005, 12:46 AM

The O could well be a U, as for the the Trim plate ...976 which I believe is red and a 425 which is a mystery to me. Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Mike Ward · 03-31-2005, 08:53 AM

425 is dark red vinyl interior. Can you get the date code from the upper right hand corner? Should be a letter followed by two digits.

BUGGSY1970 · 04-02-2005, 10:44 AM

Here are some pictures from the 70 Corvette registry that show different fonts and broach marks:
http://corvetteforum.net/c3/1970regi..._enginepad.jpg

Easy Mike · 05-18-2005, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnZ

All the engine plant-stamped characters (like T0309IP, for example) are EXACTLY the same height (1/4"), and all the assembly plant-stamped characters (the VIN derivative) are EXACTLY the same height (3/16"). If either stamp has mixed character heights, chances are 99.9% it's a re-stamp.

The pad should contain two stampings but the characters in each should be the same size.