Broach mark question/thoughts
 

Looking for some education on broach marks if that’s what these are. This is a pre restoration photo of the motor and not sure if this is something they used to clean the pad that left these marks or if this is normal from the factory. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

100% not factory broach marks. These are running 90 degrees from the crankshaft centerline and the factory broach mark run parallel to the crankshaft. The factory broach marks also do not stop under where the cylinder head bolts on.

That is not unlike a factory grind off. Errors were made and I have many original engine pad examples of a factory grind due to errors. They took a big grinder and hit that pad to remove a prior stamp. The marks went left to right on a factory grind. Look for a Tonawanda build with the same code built the same day and the letters and numbers will probably be identical.

These marks aren't a swirl pattern. Did they have an inline belt grinder to leave those long, straight gouges ?
It does seem too obvious for an attempted restamp.

Appreciate the comments so far. I don’t think restamp because why wouldn’t you deck the block etc first. This was before they rebuilt the motor too look at the piston. I didn’t think it was a broach mark because it’s only on the pad and not where the head would sit. I thought maybe someone used a file or something abrasive to maybe see the stamp better but the stamp still looks crisp. Def doesn’t make sense, but that’s why I’m asking here. Keep it coming guys

I'm also in the 'probably authentic' camp. Here is a post with a few such examples:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...indouts-2.html

See post #2 in above link.

I 100% agree with Tim. Have seen the same type of pads that were factory grind off and restamped.

so basically even thou its most likely real its still gonna be a point of contention if it ever came time to part with. Got it. Appreciate the feedback everyone.

In 2002-2003, a 1 family owner, 68 Camaro 327 4sp. 18,000 orig mi. blue/blue, had the vin or assembly gouged out. I knew it was 100% original, but the family had a hard time selling it because of the correction. At the time, they were asking $16,500.