Well here are all my #'s, got the basics....just trying to see if all matching???? Low Body #? Block stamp 1 car off? Any help would be really appreciated...thanks in advance Ericb634ae51-99af-4d76-b7d1-f13e79c4abb0_zpsaa2e9e9e.jpg?1415332265998&1415332266815Filler_zps8073dd3d.jpg?1415332266016&1415332266838Vin_zpsc6331160.jpg?1415332266011&1415332266833cowl_zps639b3f66.jpeg?1415332266002&1415332266820At1_zps5924c6ea.jpg?1415332266026&1415332266849Trans2_zps199c9f7c.jpg?1415332266031&1415332266854AtDist_zps9cf9cad8.jpg?1415332968663&1415332969108Trans_zps5c82f0f5.jpg?1415332968678&1415332969126

 

I see:
VIN = 102375
block stamp = 1072374

Block stamp has too many numbers?

 

Block stamp makes me wonder if it has been machined and re-stamped. The numbers in the block stamp wander up and down instead of being in a straight line.




Randy C.

 

It's been restamped (or just stamped, in the case of a replacement block). Those are not factory-stamped numbers on the block.

 

I would have never guessed that it was a re stamp, but nothing surprises me any more. If you are still using this engine, I am going to be dismantling a 70 engine soon that is stuck. I will have all the parts you need for yours.

 

Yes....block is almost done at machine shop......just confused why someone would bother to try and restamp an olds 350.....maybe dealer did? Car was wrecked pretty early on drivers side...fender was replaced with 71 and was painted original gold nugget off car( gold over spray, over factory black inside) Any way is it normal to also be one digit off on the block stamp seq # to vin #?
And yes Kevin...planning on motor assembly around Christmas......bolts, bolts and more bolts.....I'll e-mail you a list
Thanks
Eric

 

While not impossible, it is about the farthest thing from "normal". Keep in mind that the VIN derivative stamps on the block, trans, and frame were federally required as part of an attempt to curb auto theft and chop shops (yeah... how did THAT work for them?). The format was defined. These stamps were done by humans, and humans do make mistakes, but the far more likely scenario is that this is a dealer replacement engine and the mechanic screwed up on the restamp (twice, actually - first by stamping the "7" after the "0" and then by stamping a "4" instead of a "5" in the final position). Also, the factory stamp was typically done all at once, whereas these stamps look to have been done one character at a time - again the sign of a dealership stamp.

On the other hand...

The build date of the car is the third week of Sept, and the date on the block (246th day of the year) would be a Sept 3 casting date, which is consistent with that build date. Of course, there were likely a LOT of 350 blocks cast in early Sept, including replacement blocks, but that's an interesting coincidence.

 

Thanks Everyone for your input Especially Joe, it sounds like u know ur sh Like Kevin said, we both would have assumed that it was an original motor, somebody yrs ago went to great efforts to strip all accessories and paint motor to match car(maroon) also there have been several signs that she may only have 69k original miles? Last registered 1988 in home state of Cali, all original red a/c Delco HD shocks, minimal wear on brake pedal, all front suspension cotter pins were folded back perfectly, no wear on what appeared to be original gold carpet....maybe not though, just got trans back and he said it was rebuilt at some point? ..............not that it really makes a difference, when I'm done she will have 0 miles....just enjoying the investigation Thanks again for your thoughts Eric

 

Again:
VIN = 102375
block stamp = 1072374

So this is not "one number off", it is 969,999 off.

 

As I said, I suspect the first "7" was the first mistake, and the "4" instead of a "5" was the second mistake. Given the date code, it's not out of the question that this was an assembly line mistake.

Likely an early Monday or late Friday car...