VIN # on front frame member

[waltklatt]

Anyone know how they stamped the numbers into the front frame rail under the intake manifold?  And when in the assembly process they were applied?
Merely want to figure out how I can replicate the stamping on my 220SL.  
Currently has nothing there as the frame there has been replaced.  
Also can someone steer me to a source for these number punch kits?
Walter
1967 220SL-diesel

[Tom230sl]

ok i'll say what everyone is thinking...

it is not a good idea to do that. Leave it be. Re-stamping would be dishonest akin to remanufacturing data plates, re-stamping the aluminum numbers, creating a original invoice or rolling back the mileage.
Only original once.
IMHO

[al_lieffring]

Walter

The number stamps I have seen are quite a bit smaller than the numbers on the frame rail. They are available at machine tool supply houses.

Do you still have the old frame rail? You could cut the numbers from the old rail, about 3 inches bigger than the stamped area and weld it to the new rail, grind it smooth and bondo it up to cover the welds.

Al

66 230sl
113-042-10-014715
904/396 blue, Ivory Tex
condition: not-as-rusty-as-before-bucket

[Shvegel]

Tom,
Just had to respond to your post.
Were you referring to Walt's "Original" 220SL Diesel?
Isn't restoring something about trying to make it appear as it did on the day that it left the factory?
Thank god we have finally gotten past the "numbers matching" phase in muscle cars. You are now allowed to stamp a matching number as long as the block is the same casting as original.

Walt,
Most of those numbers are usually a special size and or font to discourage exactly what you are trying to do(keeps the thieves at bay). Short of custom stamps I would leave it the way it is.

[rwmastel]

What number would you use?  It's no longer any of these:

113.042
113.043
113.044

I guess my point is why would you worry about this at all on a customized car?

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420