M Code on Fan Shroud Reproduction Suggestions

[tasb]

My 1957 Kombi has a fan shroud with the M code 178 stamped on it. On the factory floor in 1957 it designated the engine as a special order item. When I first received the fan shroud it looked like this:

Now after years of use and periodic cleaning the stamp is wearing out and I would like to replace it with something as close to original as possible.

I am assuming that the original marking method was a rubber stamp but don't know for sure. Any suggestions on how to get a stamp made? There are stamps on the back of the shroud, front and both sides.

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Roads Scholar &
1957 Kombi low mileage 36 hp governor equipped M 178 Slow Drag Winner 2014, 2015, 2018

1965 hardtop Deluxe Microbus owned since 1990 M 620 factory 12 v 1500cc

1961 (October)Single Cab- Road Trip Workhorse

[thom]

That's a good question. My 1959 ambulance had them, but after one good engine wash, they were gone
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-Thom
1956 Single Cab
1957 Porsche 356A Sunroof
1957 23-Window Deluxe
1957 Mercedes Westfalia single cab
1963 Unimog 404
1965 E-Type

[tasb]

I don't think the markings were ever intended to last past the factory floor but since the stamps are still there...

I've been carefull when engine cleaning to stay away from the stamp for upwards of ten years now.
_________________
Roads Scholar &
1957 Kombi low mileage 36 hp governor equipped M 178 Slow Drag Winner 2014, 2015, 2018

1965 hardtop Deluxe Microbus owned since 1990 M 620 factory 12 v 1500cc

1961 (October)Single Cab- Road Trip Workhorse

[busdaddy]

Its been 10+ years since I've had a rubber stamp made but at one time any office supply store could do it, you supply the camera ready graphics and wait a week for it to arrive, surely somebody still makes stamps.

Another option would be the thin dense foam sheet from the $ store or a craft supply store and cut your own, then glue it to a wood block. I don't know how long it would last once you wet it with paint but it would likely hold together for a few stampings.
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[lightice]

We could get these made at the office supply shop, they send to a stamp 'carver', which we could also go direct.

If you can manage to get a 1:1 photocopy or picture of the stamp, they could make one out for you.

[BarryL]

[lightice]

[quote="BarryL"]

[tasb]

[campingbox]

Have you thought about carving one out of a potato and dipping it in paint?

[busdaddy]

[lightice]