Author Topic: 69 boss 302 engine vin stamping  (Read 3933 times)

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69 boss 302 engine vin stamping
« on: October 05, 2017, 07:20:57 PM »
Did all 69 302's have a vin stamped at the rear of the block ?
8F02R218047-  July 18 1968   Dearborn

Offline 7Lscjracer

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Re: 69 boss 302 engine vin stamping
« Reply #1 on: October 05, 2017, 09:13:23 PM »
Yes, the car's six digit consecutive unit number was hand stamped number by number on the assembly line, so you won't find
it on service blocks of course.
69 Mach 1 San Jose Nov. 68 build
Bought May '81, sold Sept '20

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Re: 69 boss 302 engine vin stamping
« Reply #2 on: October 05, 2017, 10:07:09 PM »
Could a C8-B block with a 9D date be a service block ?
8F02R218047-  July 18 1968   Dearborn

Offline 7Lscjracer

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Re: 69 boss 302 engine vin stamping
« Reply #3 on: October 05, 2017, 11:26:30 PM »
http://www.boss302.com/block.htm

It's stated in the article that C8FE-B castings were used as production and service blocks, therefore a 9D code could be for either block I would say since service blocks had to be available while production blocks were going into vehicles.
Do you not have a stamping on your block then?
69 Mach 1 San Jose Nov. 68 build
Bought May '81, sold Sept '20

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Re: 69 boss 302 engine vin stamping
« Reply #4 on: October 06, 2017, 01:54:07 PM »
It has a C stamped as some others have on that pad but no serial number.  It also has a build date stamp that fits the block time line.
8F02R218047-  July 18 1968   Dearborn

Offline Mike_B_SVT

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Re: 69 boss 302 engine vin stamping
« Reply #5 on: October 07, 2017, 03:50:33 PM »
It has a C stamped as some others have on that pad but no serial number.  It also has a build date stamp that fits the block time line.

Huh...  Did you try looking on the other typical VIN locations?  Maybe the stamper was confused and put it on the back of the driver's side instead?
Mike B.

2003 Mustang Cobra Convertible
1 of 354 in Sonic Blue

1970 Cougar Eliminator (Competition Gold / Black Decor Interior), 428SCJ, Ram-Air, 4-speed w/ Hurst shifter
Built: Dearborn, Oct 6th, 1969
Cat Bites Man!

Offline J_Speegle

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Re: 69 boss 302 engine vin stamping
« Reply #6 on: October 14, 2017, 06:17:49 PM »
Did all 69 302's have a vin stamped at the rear of the block ?

As always there were likely mistakes that might have gotten past the inspectors or as you stated it could be a replacement/service especially considering the high failure rate of these engines though I'm pretty sure the piston problem would not have been know in April, since the assembly of the cars started in the last weeks of April) there still would have been so engines needed in case there was a need similar to that in other engines

The plants had been stamping all engines for over a year so its not likely that the number of missed (if that is the case) was very high but the determination of it were a replacement/service item would come down to comparing casting, machining, and assembly dates on all the parts compared to the cars real build date.  If any of these dates are after the car was built then you have the most likely answer

An interesting but likely impossible task would be to collect all know service block dates since these engine may have been purpose built at specific time period and put into the supply system. Of course if the engine plant  just added to the normal build process a few engines every day or week for the supply system this effort would not be useful. Just a thought.

I do have a similar non-VIN block cast 9C for a 9D car that I believe is original to the car
Jeff Speegle

Anything worth doing is worth doing concours ;)

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Re: 69 boss 302 engine vin stamping
« Reply #7 on: October 16, 2017, 12:32:03 AM »
Can a determination between assembly line or replacement be made from these pics.
8F02R218047-  July 18 1968   Dearborn

Offline Bob Gaines

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Re: 69 boss 302 engine vin stamping
« Reply #8 on: October 16, 2017, 01:23:29 AM »
Can a determination between assembly line or replacement be made from these pics.
You forgot to include the back of the engine where the VIN is typically stamped.
Bob Gaines,Shelby enthusiast, Shelby collector , Shelby concours judge SAAC,MCA,Mid America Shelby

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Re: 69 boss 302 engine vin stamping
« Reply #9 on: October 16, 2017, 03:03:27 PM »
Bob, I didn't because as best I can tell there is not a vin stamping. Just the letter C.
8F02R218047-  July 18 1968   Dearborn

Offline J_Speegle

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Re: 69 boss 302 engine vin stamping
« Reply #10 on: October 16, 2017, 04:35:37 PM »
Can a determination between assembly line or replacement be made from these pics.

No. The stampings and features are the same on assembly line and early service blocks
Jeff Speegle

Anything worth doing is worth doing concours ;)

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Re: 69 boss 302 engine vin stamping
« Reply #11 on: October 16, 2017, 10:25:29 PM »
Thanks Jeff. Could the build date be interpreted as 9E14 ?
8F02R218047-  July 18 1968   Dearborn

Offline J_Speegle

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Re: 69 boss 302 engine vin stamping
« Reply #12 on: October 16, 2017, 11:02:46 PM »
Thanks Jeff. Could the build date be interpreted as 9E14 ?

That or 9F14. Bottom of the stamping is not clear on my screen
Jeff Speegle

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Re: 69 boss 302 engine vin stamping
« Reply #13 on: October 17, 2017, 12:14:27 AM »
Thanks, its not your screen its the stamping.
8F02R218047-  July 18 1968   Dearborn