Engine stamping question

[Richard Cranium]

My '69 440 has the following numbers on the boss

Top line: E440 with a maltese cross
Middle line: An upside down C then the numbers 122141718
Bottom line: 4 28 HP

I assume the Maltese cross on the top line signifies .001 undersized bearings and the 4 28 on the bottom line signifies the build date & HP engine, but what's the middle line signify?

Thanks! 

[Tilar]

The upside down "C" means they were smoking dope when this engine was built. The bottom line means that since this engine was built while they were stoned, it is capable of putting out the same horse power as 4 28hp engines. No idea what the maltese cross means.

Then again I could be full of and have no idea what any of that means.   

[tan top]

 

not sure ,  

whats does it say on the machined pad above the oil pan rail ,

see yellow arrow  

[Musicman]

An upside down "C" is still a "C"

[Richard Cranium]

not sure ,  

whats does it say on the machined pad above the oil pan rail ,

see yellow arrow  

That has the correct body VIN #, which is not the same as the numbers on the boss.

[tan top]

not sure , 

whats does it say on the machined pad above the oil pan rail ,

see yellow arrow 

That has the correct body VIN #, which is not the same as the numbers on the boss.

perhaps the motor was rebuilt sometime ago, & that was the number asigned to it , ! by the guy /shop who rebuilt it ?!  for warrenty . invoice numbering  possibly
do the numbers look sort of like factory stampings ??
have you a picture RC ??

[resq302]

I think the maltese cross had something to do with a high performance engine.

[Musicman]

The cross by itself stood for .001 undersized crank... a cross with an "X" stood for .010 undersized.

[69CoronetRT]

not sure ,  

whats does it say on the machined pad above the oil pan rail ,

see yellow arrow  

That has the correct body VIN #, which is not the same as the numbers on the boss.

Since this is a 69 assembly, I presume it says nothing and the VIN is samped on a pad on the passenger's side of the block.

[Richard Cranium]

not sure ,  

whats does it say on the machined pad above the oil pan rail ,

see yellow arrow  

That has the correct body VIN #, which is not the same as the numbers on the boss.

Since this is a 69 assembly, I presume it says nothing and the VIN is samped on a pad on the passenger's side of the block.

Yes

[Richard Cranium]

Here's the picture of the pad I'm wondering if the" funny numbers" were stamped on by a previous machine shop to designate a job number. 

Thoughts....

[69CoronetRT]

Thoughts....

I agree with your assessment. Those are probably not factory markings.