Picture is not good but this is what I have as a pad photo from a 1969 396 car that was listed for sale recently. This is being represented as a original untouched pad. I have never seen a rounded 3 in the Tonawanda number, always seen flat top 3's. What is your opinion? ....If you have a photo of an original known pad with the rounded 3 can you please post it.http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg102/hihorse69/IMG_0619.jpg

Stamp is in the wrong location on the deck, it should be below the big plug in the end of the head, this alone is usually a indication of a restamp becuase the plug was in the way. JMO.

I've a pic of a good pad with one 3 of each style in the stamp. So that's not enough to say it's bad.

Sure looks in the wrong place for a BB stamp. Oops.

Stamp is in the wrong location on the deck.
good catch missed that one!
With the VIN deriative not being stamped on the deck would it matter?

good catch missed that one!
With the VIN deriative not being stamped on the deck would it matter?

Not sure what you mean by " would it matter" but The engine assembly plant ( Tonawanda in this case ) would put the assembly stamp on 396/427 at the lower location beneath the plug. I think that Tonawanda stamped 396/427 before the heads were installed.
If I was personaly looking at this engine, just the location of this particular stamp in question would make my first thoughts be - It is probably a Restamp.

Even on my 66 427 the stamp is under the plug.

Except for very early '65 396's, all BB engine plant stamps are on the outboard end of the pad, below the plug in the head; BB's were stamped before the heads went on, for that reason.

:beers:

Like this

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/ChevyThunder/68RSSS/DSC00765-1.jpg