[CWrdy]

I was wondering if anyone knows of a chemical agent to make the partial vin numbers by the oil filter stand out so they can be seen.The front pad only reads VO822DZ I can faintly see something if the light is on it just right but can't be sure.The casting is rough and I've been told this can be tricky.Thanks for your help.

[z28doug]

I'm not familiar with a chemical agent that works but I just took a little grease on my finger and wiped it across the numbers and it worked fairly well. Was able to read all but one. Reading all the numbers above the oil filter is not always possible.
Doug

[hawkeye10]

I would think that you could use a metel etching soultion. We use it to check welds,it kinda changes the cloor of the metel. But I dont know if it would work on a casting that had been scraped off Because there isn't two different metels there. I will check and get back with ya.

[hawkeye10]

Sorry CWrdy, I cant find out anything on the metal etching soultion. If the #'s havent been scratched of you may be able to spray them white and then lightly run a dirty finger over them to get them to stand out.

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hawk's 67 SS 350
http://photos.yahoo.com/firefly_40440

[CWrdy]

I tried both of and they worked sort of.I can read a 86 there are other characters but still can't make them out.So far it looks pretty good because the last numbers of the VIN is 1886.

[Jeff H]

I've used white paint and then wiped it off with a rag and the white will fill in the stamped depressions and make it easier to read. Sounds like you've got the original motor.

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Jeff H - Hugger Orange 69 Z28, original factory JL8 brakes, cross-ram & GM fiberglass hood, TI setup, heater and radio delete, Stahl headers, Minilite wheels - being restored - 87 Toyota 4Runner SR5 Turbo

[HawaiianCamaro]

white blackboard chaulk works great also

[Dave Birdwell]

If this is an early car, why is the VIN not stamped on the pad???
I was under the presumption that they didn't change the stamp to the oil filter area until Jan of '69...

[Jonesy]

If your VIN is 124379n501886, then the partial VIN will be stamped on the pad behind the alternator, not down by the oil filter.

[z28doug]

CWrdy,
Is your car an Aug./Sept 68 build or an Aug./Sept. 69 build? Norwood or Van Nuys assembly plant. Just wondering...........
Doug

[CWrdy]

It is a Aug. 68 date code on the build date it is a pre X code car and I did find the rest of the numbers by the oil filter.The only thing that was stamped on the front pad was V0822DZ.Thanks for all of your help.It is a Norwood car with the VIN of 124379N501886

[This message has been edited by CWrdy (edited 01-12-2003).]

[Unreal]

What is the casting date on the back of the engine? Something's not ringing true, here.

[CWrdy]

I will get the casting date asap the car is at my buddies house, I can tell you that the casting number of the block is 3932386.

[This message has been edited by CWrdy (edited 01-12-2003).]

[CWrdy]

The casting date reads H 16 8.

[merch120]

I uncovered my VIN on the engine block by using a combination of 220 grit sandpaper, white spray paint, and a very sharp thin pick to "pick" out all the layers of paint, dirt,rust, etc out of the VIN numbers. When I pulled the motor, I could only see 2 numbers faintly on the block...after some work..I have all my VIN completely visible and easily readable even without highlighting with the white paint.