[BurgundyJudge]

Looking at the part number they look a little crooked and not uniformly spaced. I haven't seen many part numbers on Pontiac Q-jets but the ones I have seen were uniformly spaced . Am I being too picky since I assume the numbers were stamped by hand at the factory? I welcome any comments from those more knowledgeable.

[John Milner]

To my untrained eye, that looks like a restamp. Agree that the spacing doesn't look right.

[Kenth]

Clearly re-stamped.
Pictures of all numbers on the float bowl, airhorn and throttle plate will reveal it.

[BurgundyJudge]

Thanks guys. I'm learning a lot about 7040273 carbs here. This really is the best place I've found on the internet for info on the 7040273 carb.

[unruhjonny]

I too call foul - I looked at the image before seeing the replies.

For these RA applications, you really need to be cautious - if it seems off, go with your gut.

If you're looing for a '0273 this might be the priciest one out there... possibly in line with the likes of a 7028277.

[Tellyshavilli]

That’s a mess

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Originally Posted by BurgundyJudge

Looking at the part number they look a little crooked and not uniformly spaced. I haven't seen many part numbers on Pontiac Q-jets but the ones I have seen were uniformly spaced . Am I being too picky since I assume the numbers were stamped by hand at the factory? I welcome any comments from those more knowledgeable.

They used a roll stamper. Spacing and alignment will always be uniform.
Start studying basic Qjets on eBay1968-1972 that are Rochester brand (< important factoid)
People are not replicating the xxxx262 , xxxx268 variants.
Those virgins will give you better examples to get acquainted with proper stamps.
Depths can have variants , you'll see as you go.

90-95% of 7040273 carbs on the market are restamps.
75-85% of the genuine factory stamped bodies on the market are franken-carbs with various mismatched attributes.

It's high stakes gambling

[unruhjonny]

I would hope that those percentages are somewhat skewed in a cynical angle…
I agree that a great deal are restamps;
i agree that many have been through rebuilders.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

That's the long and short of what I've seen on eBay in the past 15 years.
And specimens offered for scrutiny on this forum.

Genuine bodies are quite rare compared to restamps.

Completely authentic top to bottom are ultra rare.
Upper echelon vendors have moved the cost of a fully authentic 7040273 to $7000+