Re: 302 MO "MJL"

[Smokey]

Hi! I'm new to this so please go easy on me LOL. I can't find this info anywhere so here goes. I have a '68 302 block that has the letters "MJL" stamped on it under the "V0520MO". Any idea what this means? If you want a pic please feel free to private message me or something...THX

[buenymayor]

Previous owners initials or a rebuilders stamp? Can you post a picture?

[69Z28-RS]

I agree with Buenymayor...  probably owners initials stamped into it prior to undergoing machine or rebuild operations to identify his engine...

[bcmiller]

I asked for a pic via PM.

[Spooky]

Or maybe a junkyard stamp for warranty purposes?

Scott

[bcmiller]

Without seeing it, anything would be speculation.  Even then, can't be sure, but we can take a look to see if the stamp engine assembly stamp is genuine.

[Smokey]

I still can't figure out how to add an attachment. So I made the pic my avatar. Way easier. Thanks for any help.. ~Smokey
PS) Also, it has a "W" with what looks like a snowflake around it on the intake on the drivers side of the block. I have a pic of that as well. All I can get from the Internet is that it was made by "Winters Foundry". Were these common on '68 302's?

[bcmiller]

That avatar pic is way to small to see any detail.  I sent you an email.

[cook_dw]

Pad pic.  I would guess either the original owners initials or the initials of someone that rebuilt or machined the engine at one time or another.  Pad is legit IMHO.

[Smokey]

Darrell...again, thanks a million. The weirdest part is that the "MJL" looks factory to me for some reason. Or most stamping plates can be made/adjusted to look factory...don't know, this is new to me. I'm trying to re-size a couple of pics so I can attach them. Thanks for your input...it's helped a LOT. ~Smokey

[Smokey]

Seriously how filthy could one car get? 34 years of storage can/will do that to you. Yes i've started it since then. It purrs like a kitten. The car is going to be taken completely apart (or mostly) and I had originally planned on scrapping this engine for a 383 stroker until I scraped away the grime and saw the numbers. I'm keeping it, needless to say. Thanks for all the info everyone, seriously. I really appreciate it. Here's another pic of the pad..don't know if it's any better than the one Darrell posted for me but here goes. ~Smokey

[bcmiller]

MJL is not original. The rest seems legitimate but comparing it to some others now.

[Smokey]

Yeah, i'm thinking it's not original as well. Of all the "engine pad" pics of '68's (and '67's...I restricted my search to MO blocks) i've yet to see another block with any kind of letters underneath the "partial VIN" and engine code. It's definitely a '68 302 with a Winters aluminum intake and what looks to be a huge 800 Holley 4-barrel carb. I'm the 2nd owner and the original family I bought it off of swears they didn't touch the engine. Which I believe them as they had no reason to lie..I had already bought the car, had the title in my name in hand and lived out of State meaning....I wasn't ever going to see these people again. What their Son did to it or had done to it, i'll never know, he died in 'Nam. But he had the car a couple of years before he passed so who knows. I'm thinking he had *something* done to it and the shop either stamped his initials, or the shop worker's initials onto it. Just a hunch.

[bcmiller]

Did their last name start with the letter L ?

[Smokey]

I know, right? I've spent most of the weekend trying to remember the family's name. I can't remember as it was 30+ years ago (I couldn't tell you what I had for Dinner two nights ago). I'm trying to research the approximate address (rural VT..shouldn't be too difficult) where I got it from and work from there as it's a way better lead than my memory. I've had several people write me that were kind enough to ask me if it's okay if they re-print/re-post the pics. *Absolutely*. Just if you find something interesting, feel free to let me know. Hell...flood the 'net with them (pictures) as i'm dying to know anything about this. I was also thinking if I take the title and work backwards, that might work. The MA laws are always changing and for a while you didn't need the title if it was such and such years old but a "Bill Of Sale" would do. Which is what I did when I registered and drove it that one Summer in the mid to late 80's. I couldn't find the title at the time as I know I didn't need it. Now my insurance co. is telling me that if I can prove I registered/insured it previously, they can get the title, free. Otherwise it's a $50 "Title Application". I'll gladly pay the $50 at this point. But I most definitely previously registered and insured it through them.... Again, thanks everyone for your help....seriously. ~Smokey