shota

Hi Everyone,
A long time lurker and Vette dreamer, I finally got my first car! It's a 1980 black C3. Something that's been puzzling me though is the serialization.

The VIN is: 1Z878AS401774
Which I interpret as: Chevrolet Corvette Coupe L48 engine produced 1980 in St Louis

The Engine Serial: T0214CKW
Which can be:
Tonawanda, February 14 1976 180hp manual transmission, or
Tonawanda, February 14 1972 200hp 4sp transmission

Obviously the engine doesn't match the VIN production year, so it may be the replacement. But, how do I determine if the engine is actually 1976 or 1972 version?

Thanks,
Shota

Easy Mike

Correct. #1774 was assembled early in production, September 1979.

Correct. Both are 350CID. Neither is a Corvette engine. All Corvette smallblocks were assembled at the Flint, Michigan engine facility.

Check the casting date on the block.

Congrats on your '80.

Mike Ward

The only CKW I can find that was NOT used in a Corvette and might have been built in Tonawanda was for 1973, low perf. 145HP engine for F or X body with auto transmission.

shota

Woot, no "Thank You" button?

Thanks Mike!

Looks like the engine is dated '76. In itself it's fine. It is now obvious that the transmission is converted too. Would it be recommendable to keep the automatic transy on this engine or switch back to the manual? How much would I be looking at for such reversal?

shota

That is correct. So I ruled out that engine.

Mike Ward

Don't thank me yet. What's the casting date on the block?

shota

I don't know exactly as the car is still at the seller's, but he says he checked and it's 1976. Oh, I also got partial VIN that is on the engine: 141738, it definitely doesn't match the car's VIN, but don't really know what to make of it other than this...