I was under the hood the other day. I was replacing the oil pan. I decided to toss the high quantity pan for a stock pan. I didn't like how low the pan was.

Anyway, I noticed a stamp on the bottom of the block when I scraped the old gasket away. The stamp read: "D.L. SMYTHE #2001".

Does anyone know anything about this? I'm about 98% certain that this is the original engine. The car has been in the family for 36 years and is almost all original.

 

I am sure someone will identify the markings as a factory stamp, but where did you buy the car?
There is a research engineer at the M.I.T. Observatory named D. L. Smythe
http://web.mit.edu/bin/cgicso?query=smythe

Maybe he owned the car, maybe his father worked in the plant. LOL

I shot him an email. What the heck, he'll just think I am looney.

 

Has the engine ever been rebuilt or machined? Odd...

 

The engine was blueprinted, ported and polished by Hunt Race Engines in 1994. They have since gone out of business. That's all I know.

 

sometimes machine shops will give you back another, comparable block if it's a common type... Maybe it isn't the original motor? Any replies from MIT? lol.

 

Nope, no response. The guy must think I am psychotic. "ummmmm Hi Mr. Smythe, I know you've been in my engine block... I know you're there"

Would be something if he does reply that his father was a machinist.