I was gonna say...GM stuff considered, if you need to replace the engine, (and want a Corvette exclusively) just buy one from a street rodder. (every one that's a Chevy is a Corvette!)
Standard 17 numbers Vins started in 1981 but model As had the same number stamped on the engine and frame that was on the ***le.
I have a 50 shoebox vert. It's in need of total rebuild but it's very complete. Regardless the number on the block matches the ***le and the "VIN plate" rivited to the firewall.
Mark, after seeing the pics of the pad....you know there's a story there you probably don't wanna know . Grind it clean and fill the pad with some JB weld or bondo or something and just make it smooth and paint over it. Odds are no one will ever question it(an authority with a badge, I mean)
Those are beyond "ground off" , they are gouged out below acid raising capabilities. Rough grind that part of the pad flat, file it smooth and stamp it. It will be down 1/8? But so what. Give it a new story The only time I had block numbers checked was thru customs when I brought a old Harley back from Canada
My thoughts exactly. After a layer of grease and dust builds up there (ever seen a SBC that you didn't have to clean that pad to read the ID & codes on?), no cop (even one who KNOWS where to look) is gonna bother unless youre doing something REALLY wrong.
I think the story is "Welcome to Oakland ". There was a old car club plaque in the car that read "Oakland Knights". I talked to an old Oakland Dukes club member and He had never heard of the Knights. Law Enforcement uses acid to bring up filed off numbers (I learned that from a pretty rough scooter tramp that I was working with) and they splash it on pretty heavy to do as much damage as possible. I have to take the vehicle to the DMV to have it verified as being a real car before I can register it (it has been off the books for 30 years). I will have another engine in the car, I don't need any "bumps" in that process A GM Performance crate engine is the best bet. I am not worried if the engine is the "correct" one for the car, it came with two engines setting on the ground. A 283 that lost the timing chain and that 327 with the numbers problem. If in the future I want to get closer to the correct engine block I will get one from a shop in Michigan and build a 327. I will have a receipt for that engine block I was pretty sure that I did not want to use that 327. I was just trying to find out if it was what I thought it was. It is. That makes it the same as s**** to me Mark.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-and-c2-corvettes/2533613-checking-the-pad-with-acid.html This is worth a look now and to keep for further reference
I've seen a couple SBC engines with numbers ground off, and both times in Corvettes. I would guess it was simply because they were donors from other Chevy models and someone didn't want an Impala, Chevelle, or truck motor ID on a SBC in a Corvette. I doubt it was to conceal some stolen motor.
There is so much drama with Corvettes on the numbers and originality that I am sure the grind on the number was to hide what car the engine came out of. It did have the last part of a Vehicle number that was destroyed, but they left the "F" for Flint and half of the engine code on it. Casting number and date of casting is close. Way too much B.S. for me. It is just an old car to me. It is also the first Corvette I have owned. The kids I went to school with in Orange County who had those cars had actor or some other professional type for parents (that was over 47 years ago). I had a '56 Ford wagon handed down from my dad. He had just picked up a 59 Ford Ranchero (sp.?) as his new work car and I got his old one. The Corvettes were "Rich Kids" rides. I would like to thank everyone for all this information I received from the members of THE H.A.M.B. I will use a GM Performance crate engine to get this old sport coupe back on the road and enjoy the process of bringing it back to life. Let the person who I sell it to worry about the numbers B.S. Mark
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