Hello, I would like to know if someone out there knows where I may be able to get a set of stamps made for restamping my 64 Electra block. The original engine had a meltdown, and I had to get another block (luckily a replacement block with no VIN). I want to stamp it with the correct VIN and use the correct font of letters, and I have a good set of rubbings off the original motor to use as patterns. If anyone knows of anyone that makes these, please let me know. Thanks, Matt.

[53and61]

I hope I'm not offending anyone, but I have my doubts about whether the procedure that Matt is considering is quite copacetic. Isn't the VIN unique to the block? If the block is gone, isn't the VIN gone too, at least as far as the engine is concerned?

Not offending me, but this is my car, and I have no plans on selling it. I just want the VIN back on my motor. It is a VINless block, so I do not really see a problem putting the VIN on it. And lets face it, with a 64 Electra, it really will not do anything for the value if the motor is stamped or not like it would with a Corvette or some other high dolllar car. It is a four thousand dollar car and will always be a four thousand dollar car, I just want a VIN on it for my sake. Thanks, Kid 4 Speed Matt.

My guess is 3/16" Gothic Normal....

Try here:

http://www.numberall.com/products/hand/handstamps.htm

http://www.youngbrosstampworks.com/produ...Q2Az4wsbR3wPepH

By the way, the block that you have now without any stamping would indicate that it was a service replacement or had the block milled.

Cheers,
John

[John Chapman]

Matt,

Above post was mine... silly system lost my sign in for some reason.

JMC

John, you are right, it is a factory replacement block. I looked at the websites with those stamps. Close, but for some reason, the numbers are not gothic normal. They are some other font, and the six is a different one all together, looking more like a lower case 'o' on the bottom of an upper case 'L'. Thank you for the info, though, it is greatly appreciated. Kid 4 Speed Matt.

[John Chapman]

Matt,

You're probably right... and it probably is the combo of two letters. The marking on my block, both the right deck and the front look like a dyslexic dexterity challenged third grader did it. I don't think they won points for neatness.

JMC

[66400]

Lots of dealership mechanics would stamp the car's data #'s back on the replacment engine/block. Henry

[53and61]

Henry--thanks for this info. I didn't realize that re-stamping was standard practice.

[NTX5467]

Maybe I'm missing something here . . . if you're not going top sell the vehicle, what difference does it make if it has the correct number on it? I also don't recall those vehicles carrying a value premium for being "matching numbers". Plus, who's going to be looking for correct engine numbers anyway?

As for restamping blocks, you need to check with your local state vehicle registration people before you do that. It could be illegal, even if you don't plan to sell it.

A key point is "how the vehicle is defined" for registration purposes. If it is defined by the Body Number, then what's on the engine might not be terribly significant. BUT if the vehicle is defined by the Engine Number, then altering that could carry some legal consequences. In those cases, an engine change would require some papers to be filed with the state to that effect and then the state could issue their own number for registration purposes.

You can probably make a general inquiry with the vehicle registration people as a "What if?" situation or get a copy of their registration statutes. If they suspect something, it could open a can or worms, even if things are on the 'up and up'.

You can do as you desire, but please do your homework first (other than for the correct font of stamp) with respect to the legallity of what you propose to do.
Just because some dealership people might have done it doesn't always mean it was right or that the dealership could have been reprimanded for it later.

Just some thoughts . . .
NTX5467