CRG Discussion Forum

Camaro Research Group Discussion => Decoding/Numbers => Topic started by: detfox on January 17, 2008, 02:59:21 AM

Title: DZ motor VIN stamp
Post by: detfox on January 17, 2008, 02:59:21 AM
Okay I’ve got a good one for you guys. I have a Van Nuys built 69 Z28 without the matching DZ motor.  The motor is marked V0318DZ and the casting number is 3956618, which according to JM is correct for 1969.  Here’s the problem: The VIN has been severely altered in an attempt to match the chassis.   I believe the VIN was as follows:     1 L539977. Besides the fact that some fool tried to re-stamp over the original VIN, the number between the 1 and L is missing.  Has anyone seen the year digit missing from the VIN stamp?  I hope I explained this clearly.
Title: Re: DZ motor VIN stamp
Post by: KurtS on January 17, 2008, 05:33:46 AM
Do you have a good picture of the pad?
Title: Re: DZ motor VIN stamp
Post by: detfox on January 17, 2008, 05:46:57 AM
I have photos that were given to me when I bought the car.  I will scan them and post the photo's.  Thanks for the response.
Title: Re: DZ motor VIN stamp
Post by: detfox on January 17, 2008, 05:23:26 PM
Here's the photo
Title: Re: DZ motor VIN stamp
Post by: jl8dale on January 17, 2008, 07:21:21 PM
I have a 529 LA Z that is a V0407DZ so it would not be plausible that your earlier date would have a higher vin number.
Title: Re: DZ motor VIN stamp
Post by: 69 Z11 on January 17, 2008, 11:17:56 PM
Hmmm.  Engine was built on my birthday (I ain't saying which one though  ;D).

VIN can't be L539977, the highest known VIN is L531163.  The L53XXXX cars began in 4D (also see previous post) so I don't see how the second digit could be a 3.  L51XXXX cars pre-date your engine so the second digit can't be a 1.

Assuming the DZ stamp is legit, I would think the VIN should have been somewhere between L527000 and L529000. But that doesn't make sense, if the original VIN was L52XXXX they wouldn't have needed to overstamp the second digit with a "2".


Title: Re: DZ motor VIN stamp
Post by: detfox on January 17, 2008, 11:41:57 PM
Thanks for the input.  I emailed this to Jerry and he indicated that the DZ stamp looks legit.  Since my car has an 04B build code and the VIN is 9L529276, it could possibly be that the factory tried to re-stamp over an error.  Also, it is very hard to be sure exactly what the numbers are under the larger font.  The numbers I indicated were suggested by the previous owner (probably best guess). Besides that, as you can see there is an extra digit.  There is still the question of the missing 9 between the '1' and the 'L'
Title: Re: DZ motor VIN stamp
Post by: jl8dale on January 17, 2008, 11:49:27 PM
I also have a LA Pace Car with a motor date of TO0327HB and VIN 528929 so a 0318 date would have to be a 528 series I would surmise. Maybe 528226?
Title: Re: DZ motor VIN stamp
Post by: jl8dale on January 18, 2008, 12:16:48 AM
So Jerry is suggesting that you do have the original motor?
Title: Re: DZ motor VIN stamp
Post by: detfox on January 18, 2008, 02:40:10 AM
Quote
So Jerry is suggesting that you do have the original motor?
Unfortunately it was inconclusive.  I am in the process of tracking down the previous owners in hopes of shedding some light.
Title: Re: DZ motor VIN stamp
Post by: jl8dale on January 18, 2008, 03:02:53 AM
As I look at your engine stamp again, I see 276 over 276. It is very possible that you have the same VIN stamped twice. My LA Z/28 is stamped twice on the trans case, but one stamp next to the other. Evidently they weren't such a good shot with the hammer and gang stamp in LA back in 1969!
Title: Re: DZ motor VIN stamp
Post by: 69 Z11 on January 18, 2008, 09:06:27 PM
Thanks for the input.  I emailed this to Jerry and he indicated that the DZ stamp looks legit.  Since my car has an 04B build code and the VIN is 9L529276, it could possibly be that the factory tried to re-stamp over an error.  Also, it is very hard to be sure exactly what the numbers are under the larger font.  The numbers I indicated were suggested by the previous owner (probably best guess). Besides that, as you can see there is an extra digit.  There is still the question of the missing 9 between the '1' and the 'L'

Is an 04B car with a 0318 engine possible? (I don't know, I'm asking).  Seems like a long time for an engine to be sitting around.

This is interesting, I love a good mystery.
Title: Re: DZ motor VIN stamp
Post by: KurtS on January 18, 2008, 10:16:25 PM
99% sure that's the original motor and the original stamp. With a better pic, could get rid of that 1%. ;)
Title: Re: DZ motor VIN stamp
Post by: detfox on January 18, 2008, 10:31:19 PM
99% sure that's the original motor and the original stamp. With a better pic, could get rid of that 1%. ;)
WOW!! I have the photo on two formats.  A jpeg, which was scaned from the original photo, and on a word doc.  I would gladly send either one if you want to suggest a method. 
Title: Re: DZ motor VIN stamp
Post by: KurtS on January 19, 2008, 06:28:35 AM
You can try sending me a hi-resolution jpg of it.
Title: Re: DZ motor VIN stamp
Post by: 70lt1z28 on January 29, 2008, 12:23:52 PM
its surely possible to have an 04B car with an 0318 engine.  why not. as far as the double stamping I have seen it one other time. a friend has a 70 LT1 corvette with the vin double stamped like that with the same number. it is documented original with the pop plate etc...
Title: Re: DZ motor VIN stamp
Post by: william on January 29, 2008, 07:47:54 PM
My DZ engine db has 2 04B cars with that date.
Title: Re: DZ motor VIN stamp
Post by: 69 Z11 on January 30, 2008, 12:10:13 AM
My DZ engine db has 2 04B cars with that date.

Detfox, you may be a winner!

That's awesome, I would have looked at that stamping and said "no way"!
Title: Re: DZ motor VIN stamp
Post by: vtfb68 on January 30, 2008, 02:01:56 AM
 What does the pink slip or the registration have as the VIN #? Other VIN # spots?
                                                                                           Good luck,
                                                                                              Victor
Title: Re: DZ motor VIN stamp
Post by: detfox on January 30, 2008, 08:28:00 PM
My DZ engine db has 2 04B cars with that date.
I'm sorry sir, I'm not sure what you're trying to convay.  [to 69z11] Yeah, I was pretty happy at the thought it may be the original motor, especially because the person I bought it from did not think it was correct.  The VIN on the title matches with everything else on the car
Title: Re: DZ motor VIN stamp
Post by: 69 Z11 on January 30, 2008, 09:22:51 PM
My DZ engine db has 2 04B cars with that date.
I'm sorry sir, I'm not sure what you're trying to convay. 

I had asked earlier if it was possible that a car built in the 2nd week of April (04B) could have an engine with an assembly date of March 18 (0318).  William is stating that there are 2 cars in his database that have the same dates indicating that not only is it possible, it's fairly common.  From what Kurt is saying, I would guess that yours is going to be the third.  Did you get some Hi-Res pictures of the engine pad sent to him?
Title: Re: DZ motor VIN stamp
Post by: detfox on February 01, 2008, 12:47:48 AM

  Did you get some Hi-Res pictures of the engine pad sent to him?
[/quote]
No not yet.  The picture I have was taken by the previous owner, printed on a color printer, and then I scanned it in order to post it.  I plan to take digital photo and send it to Kurt.  So far, I'm pretty happy about what's been posted!  I really appreciate this forum.
Title: Re: DZ motor VIN stamp
Post by: melav8r on February 03, 2008, 06:59:12 PM
Detfox, did you recently purchase that car from a gentleman named Ralph in San Dimas?  Stamp looks familiar, 4B build date seems familiar.
Title: Re: DZ motor VIN stamp
Post by: detfox on February 06, 2008, 03:43:20 AM
Detfox, did you recently purchase that car from a gentleman named Ralph in San Dimas?  Stamp looks familiar, 4B build date seems familiar.

Yes I did.  Do you have some information (positive I hope)?
Title: Re: DZ motor VIN stamp
Post by: melav8r on February 06, 2008, 04:20:55 PM
Not necessarily, just that he is my neighbor 2 doors away from me, I had seen this car a very limited number of times over the last 2 years, he kept it stored away from home and didn't take it out too often. I know Ralph was under the impression someone had done a poor job of trying to restamp the vin on the block so it's good to hear it may well be the original block. I do know the intake on that car is for a 67-68 Z28 and not a 69 since it had a aftermarket dual quad setup on it when he acquired it. Otherwise a very nice car, glad to hear it stayed local.
Mel
Title: Re: DZ motor VIN stamp
Post by: detfox on February 06, 2008, 07:25:53 PM
Thanks for the info. That explains the current intake set up.  I have been getting parts (correct manifold, alt brackets etc) in an effort to make it original.  Would you mind emailing me offline?  Just some quick questions. You can go to my profile for my personal email.