Camaro Block Stamping

[Jeff H]

From what I understand, the engine and trans should have been stamped with the same gang stamp and they should almost look identical. The stamping on the trans does not match the stamping on the block. The middle of the VIN has the "1" drop down on the trans and then the "33" raise up, but not so on the block. The "MQ" just doesn't look right on the block for some reason. I'm not a stamping expert so I'll let some other people chime in on this one.

[Astock]

68SSCAMARO,
I have a early Los '69 Camaro with the vin # stamped on the top of the Muncie, along with a little heart.

[Rick H]

[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif[/img] There is nothing wrong with the TI212MQ stamp on the block. It is straight and correct. The blowup of the stamp is distorted and shows a curve which is NOT on the stamping of the block. If you read the next string about Engine VIN's by Mr. T you will notice he posted an engine code of V08I4FL. Notice the "I". The "I" was substituted for a "1" a lot. Matter of fact my original 1967 RS has an engine stamp of V0I26ME (no "1") with build date of 03D and my 1966 Chevelle has a stamping of T0I2IOE. All "I's" in that one.
I see a lot of these stampings. If Supergas990 had asked me about the stamp when he called me for the trim tag information, I could have saved him the trouble of posting.
BTW, I took the original picture.

Rick H
1967 Camaro RS
1970 Malibu Convertible
1966 Chevelle

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

I just got a chance to look at the pics, I think it looks normal - to me. I have seen the 'I' and '1' interchanged on a lot of blocks, so this one didn't really seem abnormal.

That could be a really nice car when it's done, especially if it was repainted back to Grecian Green!

[Chevy454]

Here's a '68 L-78 stamp, courtesy of Kim Howie:

[Supergas990]

Thanks to everyone for the input. I'm still kinda new to this whole numbers matching thing, so all of your expertise is appreciated.

Now, I just have to watch the auction and decide what I could part with to put this car in my garage.

Thanks again.

[68SSCamaro]

Here is a 68 L78 Camaro, image off ebay.

[Verne_Frantz]

Supergas,
I have a large library of original Tonawanda block stampings between '58 and '65. It has been my experience that they never stamped the numeral "1" in the date stamp. The letter "I" was always used instead. I've never seen a "1" through those years.
And at the final assembly plant, it was the same person's job to stamp the VIN derivitive on both the block and trans.
Just telling you my experience - not taking sides or pointing fingers. And as I said, my reference stops at '65.
Verne.

[Belair62]

The "Q" is very distinctive....the slash in it looks staright on the original post albeit a fuzzy image...the slash on the one I have seen in person on a 68 L78 is for lack of better description..."squiggly" ! The last pic which is a bit clearer looks squiggly too.

[Steve Shauger]

I have an survivor L78 69 pace car with a engine stamping TO31IJH. At least in this instance they indeed used both number 1 and letter I.