[68gtoMN]

Originally Posted by 70RAlll

Guys... if you look closely at the YY Z stamping, to the right of the Z you can see the remenants of a MUN last digit being an 0. Chris sent me directly pictures and when blown up to a full screen, it is there.
Secondly... the factory used a stamp holder that could hold up to 10 characters,they would interchange the numbers as needed. Being a July 1969 Dated block, this is not a SR block. The stampings,due to being all in a single stamp(you can still buy these stamps, I have one) all of the numbers will be on the same axis plane,not all over the place.
Sorry guys.. the dealers never did,and still do not, care about numbers as much as we all do. Not at all. I recall my alternator on my 2001 truck went out under warranty with in 6 months of purchase( I got the car in October 2000, so we were still in the middle of the 2001 model year), it was replaced. I had written down the number on the alternator, the new one was a complete new number. Asked them what the deal was... they looked at me like I had 4 ears... "numbers"... it is the same model alternator, works ...what is your concern now Mr. Oxley?? I was told.. Felt sort of stupid,considering it was a 2001 Truck.. But still... the same response would have been given back then. Dealerships sent warranty requests in for an engine, if it did recieve a VIN stamp, it was done in the engine shop who approved the warranty replacement. Plus, July 69 is the 1st run of 70 model 400 engines.. Seriously doubt that was a SR block. Also, I may be wrong on this, but I thought the SR stamop was ground down near the block's 9799914 casting number and hand stamped,sort of like the "5" was on RAIV engines. I could be wrong on this one, but still don;t think I am..

Thirdly.. the concentric lines on the timeing cover pad.They are way too close and almost look straight. The ones I have seen have as much as 1-3mm spacing, not right next to each other and are in a large swirling pattern. The entire front face was cut with a single grinding stone, so the lines would be enough apart to include both sides of the timing cover. I bet the opposite side is higher off the face of the block and have different lines. . This was an attempt to make the stampings look original. This idiot knew what he had. There is a reason it did not have the correct alternator, distributor,carb and a Grand Prix TH400. What are the odds the alternator, carb and distributor all were bad also?? Ibet if Chris will list the numbers of the alternator, distributor and carb that come with teh engine...we will find they were assigned originally to a GP..I be tthe engine came from a GP..

I am sure this comment will make some enemies,but who on earth believes the dealers took the time to stamp an engine from a warranty relacement?? No, they sent the request in, when the new one was delivered...they installed the short blaock that GM sent them and that was it. I have said this before, GM wasn't building watches,and still don't. Numbers are important at time of production,and to distinguish varying spec's inside a componant, but the line guys and dealers could care less about the numbers.

THIS IS A POORLY DONE RESTAMP.. The PQ TH400 tags have been floating around for some time. Actually I think Parts place had some made,they come with mounting tabs and all. So the tranny could have been done better, the stampings are still available. The stamp is expensive(>$500) but they are available. The font on the numbers are exact same size, shape etc.. I have never restamped an engine,and don;t plan on it...but I know I could have done a better job than this idiot..

Chris needs to look at the hidden vin number on this car. Somuch is wrong, i susoect it never was a true RAlll Formula car..

See link in post #10 above... Also, see picture above. That number does not appear to be a ZERO, instead either a 5, 6 or 8. I'd lean toward 8.