block stamping

[TimG]

I had lots of theories. I understood that there was a strike at the foundry and they pumped out lots of blocks that sat in inventory in 1968. This was a very, very late car built the last week of production. It would make sense that they were trying to deplete the supply of '68 blocks as the part number was being changed for 1969. A longer than usual spread is noted in the NCRS 1968 judging manual, they allow a wider spread for 1968 427 blocks between casting and assembly. Noland Adams looked at the car in the 90's when I owned it and felt that the motor could have been damaged in some way and sat in the repair holding area until repaired and built. The car has been owned by some well known Corvette folks including '68 to '72 team leader, Chuck Berge. The block was cast J177 (10-17-67) and built TO717IR (07-17-68). That's nine months to the day.