Re: Weird LA engine # stamp
[Re: topside]
#3220296
03/13/24 09:59 PM
03/13/24 09:59 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,644 Freeport IL USA
poorboy
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,644
Freeport IL USA
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Any of that era LA motor (as compared to the later model Magnum small blocks, or the earlier "A" motors) has the size of the motor cast into the block on the left side of the block near where the starter was located, (*318* ,* 340* , or* 360*) in raised numbers. Its pretty easy to identify the block by the raised cast in numbers. Some of those raised cast in numbers are pretty hard to read as well, but its pretty easy to determine the difference between an 18, a 40 or a 60. The numbers stamped on the pad were numbers stamped at the completion of the machining process, and many of those were really low quality stampings (particle numbers, weak nearly impossible to read stampings) are not unheard of. If the block has been cut, some or most of that stamping may be gone. With this many years gone by, its possible the motor is not the original to the car, it could be a different motor from the same time frame, or it could have even been a replacement block someone stamped themselves at some point. I'd be pretty suspect about a motor that old with that much shiny paint, unless the rest of the car is also pristine original.
Edit: As I read the casting date, I see a casting date of 11 of 71 on the 2nd shift. Should have been a 72 motor.
Last edited by poorboy; 03/13/24 10:02 PM.
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Re: Weird LA engine # stamp
[Re: poorboy]
#3220302
03/13/24 10:32 PM
03/13/24 10:32 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,527 Omaha Ne
TJP
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,527
Omaha Ne
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Any of that era LA motor (as compared to the later model Magnum small blocks, or the earlier "A" motors) has the size of the motor cast into the block on the left side of the block near where the starter was located, (*318* ,* 340* , or* 360*) in raised numbers. Its pretty easy to identify the block by the raised cast in numbers. Some of those raised cast in numbers are pretty hard to read as well, but its pretty easy to determine the difference between an 18, a 40 or a 60. The numbers stamped on the pad were numbers stamped at the completion of the machining process, and many of those were really low quality stampings (particle numbers, weak nearly impossible to read stampings) are not unheard of. If the block has been cut, some or most of that stamping may be gone. With this many years gone by, its possible the motor is not the original to the car, it could be a different motor from the same time frame, or it could have even been a replacement block someone stamped themselves at some point. I'd be pretty suspect about a motor that old with that much shiny paint, unless the rest of the car is also pristine original.
Edit: As I read the casting date, I see a casting date of 11 of 71 on the 2nd shift. Should have been a 72 motor. Looks like a 2 preceding the 11 which would be 2-11-71. that would make it a 71 or later motor. I 've seen some cast 2 years ahead of use
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Re: Weird LA engine # stamp
[Re: topside]
#3220346
03/14/24 08:28 AM
03/14/24 08:28 AM
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Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,326 nowhere
Sniper
master
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master
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,326
nowhere
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Haha, TJP, hopefully we're Great Minds Agree on casting vs actual build/usage dates. Had a 413 in my 64 300. Cast, built and stamped as a 63 motor, with the T (for 63) overstamped with a V (for 64). Original motor? I dunno, remember no VIN stamp back then. But it wasn't an anything special car with a need for numbers matching, I bought it in 88 before all the numbers matching craze hit. My theory is they built more 413's for 63 cars than they needed so they restamped the left overs to put into 64 cars. It definitely was not a 64 motor, 4 bolt valve covers, rocker arm pedestals. etc.
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