Tech Editor's Desk Projects, papers, writings, thoughts, musings of our technical editor Joe Padavano. To begin with, he will be making threads and can approve posts to it if he wishes. This can be changed in the future if it does not work out well.

Engine date code lead time to Trim plate date

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old August 17th, 2013, 07:41 AM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
1320dragmonza's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 36
Engine date code lead time to Trim plate date

What would one expect for normal lead time of a date code of 295 on the block to install in a chassis. My 72 Cutlass Supreme conv. has a Trim plate with 3rd week in Dec. build date.

Also of note the heads have different date codes of 303 and 306, I assume that would be within normal resonability of building an engine, correct?

And lastly what would be the most days between head date codes, I have a set of Ga heads with 101 days between the cast dates? Both came off of a what seems unmolested engine.


Thanks
1320dragmonza is offline  
Old August 17th, 2013, 07:55 AM
  #2  
Just an Olds Guy
 
Allan R's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
If it's not the original engine from the car, I wouldn't be concerned about the date code issues in the slightest. The original engine will have Div/yr/factory and last 6 of VIN stamped on the stamping pad of the engine.
Allan R is offline  
Old August 17th, 2013, 12:11 PM
  #3  
Registered User
 
stevengerard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Chi-town
Posts: 4,511
those dates seem to correlate fine with your car. The one set of heads does seem like a big gap - 101 days but who knows. I've seen lots of cars with heads from a few days to a few weeks difference.
stevengerard is offline  
Old August 17th, 2013, 01:51 PM
  #4  
Old(s) Fart
 
joe_padavano's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 47,311
Originally Posted by Allan R
If it's not the original engine from the car, I wouldn't be concerned about the date code issues in the slightest. The original engine will have Div/yr/factory and last 6 of VIN stamped on the stamping pad of the engine.
^^^ This.

The VIN derivative stamp will tell you if the block is correct. The date code is irrelevant if it's not original. As for the heads and other parts not VIN-stamped, 30 days prior to the build date is typical, 90 days is about the accepted limit.
joe_padavano is offline  
Old August 17th, 2013, 04:44 PM
  #5  
Trying to remember member
 
wmachine's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 4,112
Originally Posted by Allan R
If it's not the original engine from the car, I wouldn't be concerned about the date code issues in the slightest. The original engine will have Div/yr/factory and last 6 of VIN stamped on the stamping pad of the engine.
Originally Posted by joe_padavano
^^^ This.

The VIN derivative stamp will tell you if the block is correct. The date code is irrelevant if it's not original. As for the heads and other parts not VIN-stamped, 30 days prior to the build date is typical, 90 days is about the accepted limit.
X3. Way too much has been made about trying to "match" a date to a replacement part. It is borderline absurd. A date in itself is not something that makes a part any more correct. It is either original or not. If it is not original, it is either correct or not. If the part number is correct (with correct internals), it is the correct part. Period. That is what part number are for.
wmachine is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Boiler_81
442
55
September 22nd, 2020 02:05 AM
GEARMAN69
General Discussion
1
May 22nd, 2015 10:58 AM
SX71olds
General Discussion
6
July 25th, 2014 08:17 AM
gmsteve455
General Discussion
11
March 25th, 2014 07:02 PM
Boldsmobile
Parts For Sale
3
November 2nd, 2011 06:02 PM



Quick Reply: Engine date code lead time to Trim plate date



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:10 PM.