[TimG]

NCRS has not encouraged the restamping of engines and components. Owners make the decision to restamp engines and components to garnish the maximum points and values from their cars. There is no judging process more through or severe than NCRS as far as judging engine stamps goes. If an engine smells of a restamp from the standpoint of letters, numbers, or broach, it will be penalized points. They look for restamps and call them out (and really upset some owners).
Restamping has helped to dilute the value of the term "matching numbers". Before good restamps, "matching numbers" was interpreted as original engine. With the advent of good restamps, "matching numbers" no longer can be interpreted as original engine.
I've had many cars Flight Judged and never presented a restamped engine for judging, but there are many restamps present at NCRS events. They are severely scrutinized, especially at the Waco Regional where stamp judges attend in abundance.
Many an owner leaves disappointed with the decision the judges made about their stampings.
Actually, the judging process allows points for no VIN, no build derivatives or an engine from another car. You can easily Top Flight if you have a car with absolutely no build or VIN derivative. NCRS initiated this philosophy to specifically deter stamping an engine that is "correct" for a car. There is no "boxing" a car (no Gold if anything is non typical factory production on the pad) like you see at Bloomington. NCRS will welcome a car with absolutely nothing but a broach on a pad and will reward it with a Top Flight if the remainder of the car is Flight worthy.