1970 LT-1 Backwards Engine Block Number

[Last84]

I'm considering buying a 1970 LT-1 Convertible. The body build date was March 2. The block number on the stamp pad reads KTC5160V. Assuming the number is backward, it would read V0615CTK which would be correct for a Flint engine plant LT-1 made on June 15 (3 months after the body build date, which is a little unusual). Has anyone heard of a backwards stamp pad number like this? Appreciate any feedback ASAP because the seller wants to complete the deal.

 

[early shark]

I believe the engine coding changed in the '70 model year due to power steering being available on the LT1, this necessited the different oil pan for clearance of the power steering ram, that wouldn't clear with the larger original pan.

 

[JohnZ]

I'm considering buying a 1970 LT-1 Convertible. The body build date was March 2. The block number on the stamp pad reads KTC5160V. Assuming the number is backward, it would read V0615CTK which would be correct for a Flint engine plant LT-1 made on June 15 (3 months after the body build date, which is a little unusual). Has anyone heard of a backwards stamp pad number like this? Appreciate any feedback ASAP because the seller wants to complete the deal.

Poorly-thought-out backyard re-stamp; Flint Engine didn't stamp engine codes backwards, and cars didn't get engines that were built three months after the car was shipped.
:nono

 

[JohnZ]

Internal engine defects found during roll-test resulted in an engine change prior to shipment; this seldom took more than a day (2 shifts), and the car was on its way to the dealer. There were plenty of engines available at the engine dress line (hundreds of them, with racks stacked to the ceiling); they just ran another one down the dress line, stamped the correct VIN derivative on it for the car waiting for it, and a hi-lo carried it down to final repair for installation.

In 1970-71, field warranty replacement engines didn't have the pad stamped with a code like factory-installed production engines; the 5/50 powertrain warranty was in effect in those days, and warranty replacement short blocks were stamped with "CE" followed by a six-number internal engine plant code.

This car wasn't "born" with that engine in it.

 

[JohnZ]

Most re-stamps are pretty obvious, especially if the block has been decked, which obliterates the original longitudinal factory broach marks and replaces them with curved cutter marks from the commonly-used 12"-18" rotary decking cutters machine shops use. Several places will set up an original factory gang-stamp holder with the numbers you want and rent it to you for $150 or so; even though the stamped characters look good, if the broach marks aren't there, it's pretty obvious. The ones done with individual character dies are REALLY obvious, and won't fool anybody.