Have you ever noticed that in most engine pics its like people go out of their way to NOT show the drivers front part of the head or the spot next to the oil filler tube so you can't tell if its a big or small block or what heads are on the engine.
They will go to great lengths to maneuver the cameras behind the engine next to the distributor but two easy shot on the front is non- existent!

 

Yes, I have noticed that in the past. Although the ad will say numbers matching.

 

Nope, I never noticed that.

 

some folks don't realize those figures matter.

Some folks are perhaps devious.

At first, I thought you meant physically obscuring the casting ID's so as to make it harder to discern what is there.

I once made a Cutlass have a badass "350" by changing the casting ID's to that correct for the car's original 350 engine. 'Twas a 425 in 350 clothing. Only the 14" wide intake tipped it off. Rib near oil fil tube was gone.

 

"a 425 in 350 clothing "

 

No wonder that guy wanted you "Dead of Alive."

- Eric

 

People realize that they can hide things with a picture, but they fail to realize everyone else knows that. It works in realty. I spent a long time looking for a house. Any time someone DIDN'T show a picture of one side of the lot, it meant a dump or a water tower or something was there.

Car parts? If they don't say it, or show details of all, it's broken or dented at the point that doesn't have a close up.

My favorite is wrong parts or a bad taste in aftermarket. There's a beautiful 67 442 on ebay, black and looks great. The dash is 100% beige carpet, bezel, pad, and everything. My one show car is so original I get asked to open up the trunk and such so restorers can look at the proper clip locations, so maybe I'm biased.

 

Anybody who wants a number matching car is going to know what to look for

 

I think the photo problem is more out of ignorance than deviousness. On the other hand, every "442" at a car show usually has their ID card covering the VIN tag.