The 396 pad in my 66 has the body vin #'s and another set of numbers that match or duplicate a set of stamped numbers on the heads. have not seen this again. Is it unusual? Thanks.

Can you post the numbers?. This would make it easier to answer your question.


ALbert

Sorry for the wait. The front pad on the 396 has the following info:

TOI20EKH G1216xx (the "xx" are for my security)

In addition it has the following stamped info that is on both the block pad and on a front side of the head pad that is perpendicular to the block pad.

SS RE 178


John

T=Tonawanda engine plant
01=Janurary
20=day of month
EKH=325hp with a powerglide
G=Framingham plant
and the last 6 should match your VIN.


Rocky

Thanks Rock, that info I am familiar with. Its the last stamping on both the front block pad and valve head pad on front edge of head. Its the same stamping on both spots with these digits:

SS RE 178


Thanks

I don't have any idea what these mean but suspect it may have been done by someone doing work on the engine, maybe a machine shop from a rebuild. To ID thier work etc.

That didn't happen as I have the car since 1973 bought from the nephew of the original owner. Car had 42,000 original miles then. I since rebuilt the motor in 1985 and it was untouched.

John :confused:

Are you saying, that without a doubt you know the engine was never worked on? Then who stamped those on there as it was not a regular assembly plant thing?

There is also the possibility the engine had problems before it left the assembly line and they made repairs. Those things did happen.

I still think the engine was worked on, could have been by a dealer under warranty, who would know without all the original paperwork. Often sellers will hide the fact that something went wrong with the engine, might lose the sale.

Would be nice to see some photo's of those marks along with the other stamped codes to compare the font's.

I sure it was possible that some repair was done at the factory. In essence those stamping which are on the front pad and each of the heads, tie those heads to the block. Unfortunately,when I bought the car in '73 I paid $800 for it and the whole idea of pursuing paperwork or checking "matching numbers" did not come along for many years later. The idea of the previous owner hiding info that may prevent a sale did come into play in 1973. I was looking for a little better that average transportation and the price was right and with 42,000 miles ran great. When that aspect of the hobby first came about is when I first checked the front pad and found the three sets of numbers. One thing for sure is those stampings, especially on the end of the heads, would have to be done outside the engine compartment. The passenger side head stamping as attached to the block is right above the block pad and the drivers side stamping is facing the firewall. I suppose if you switched heads during a rebuild, you still end up with the same location. I don't have a digital camera but I will see what I can do.
The old statement, "if I knew then what I knew now" comes into play. In 1971, a friend of mine bought a 1967 SS vert and I liked the car alot. I thought in a nicer style than the gto's, roadrunners, mustangs etc... When I bought mine I only new of a 396 as one hp engine and had no idea that it came in three configuration (325,360 and 375) Most cars at that time were being sold for an average of $1000. I would have searched out a 375 hp.

Thanks.

If the same numbers are stamped on each head as well as the block, that would be a good indication that engine was torn down. They stamped those codes there to get the parts matched back up. Seems to indicate a rebuild of the engine. Engine rebuilders always do that, mark the engine components to ease reassembly.

Even with a low mileage car, the engine may have been bad from the get go or it was hammered. I know a guy with a 2002 Camaro SS with LS1 that was using a lot of oil. The GM dealer rebuilt the engine at 15,000 miles. His oil consumption had disappeared since.