Steps to replicate. 1. Evaluate the following:
(setq org-time-stamp-custom-formats '("<%B %e, %Y>" . "<%B %e, %Y>")) 2. Use the following sample org file. --8<---------------cut here---------------start------------->8--- #+DATE: [2014-07-30 Wed 22:05] * Headline [2014-07-30 Wed 22:05] --8<---------------cut here---------------end--------------->8--- 3. M-x org-toggle-time-stamp-overlays The buffer should look like this: --8<---------------cut here---------------start------------->8--- #+DATE: [2014-07-30 Wed] * Headline [2014-07-30 Wed] --8<---------------cut here---------------end--------------->8--- 4. M-x org-toggle-time-stamp-overlays The buffer now looks like this: --8<---------------cut here---------------start------------->8--- #+DATE: [2014-07-30 Wed 22:05] * Headline [2014-07-30 Wed 22:05] --8<---------------cut here---------------end--------------->8--- ...thus preventing any easy editing of the timestamp in the #+DATE line. Best, Matt