Hello I just a bought a 79 vette L82 4 speed car. Im trying to find the
stamped code on the block. The casting number at the rear is
14016379 .The casting number on the intake is 14007378.
They only stamped number I can find is stamped on the pad on the passenger side of the block at the front it reads 67234. Should there not be as zba suffix stamped somewhere?
Thanks Jamie

 

You should see two sets of numbers. If it is a matching number 1979 car one set of the numbers should be stamped on the block, 19S4XXXXX where the "X" is the last 5 digits of your VIN. If you don't see that on the pad at the passenger side front of the block then you've probably got some other motor there and it is not matching numbers. How did you know it was an L82? Did you check the VIN?

 

The vin number is correct for an l82. Its an orginal car, has the correct intake,harmonic balancer ie 8"etc etc.Car shows 60,000km.I think the casting number is correct from what I read but the stamped # is 67234?

 

There should be two sets of numbers. One of them 100% should read 19S4XXXXX where the X's are the last five of you VIN number. If that number is not on the block then you have a non-matching block and therefore is probably not an L82 motor - while the VIN may say it was an L82 the block sounds like it is not. The stamped number you mention above may say "something" about the block but it does not indicate that it is in fact a '79 original motor. Did the seller warranty that it was a matching number car?? If he did I would be checking with him right away.

 

Your VIN tag, the 5th number is your engine. If it's an 8 it's a L-48. But if the number is a 4, it's a L-82. Your block number 3970010 was the number for all engines. A number 14016379 means it's a late model production engine.

 

If the seller told you it was a matching number original L82 motor, based on what information you have provided, he was incorrect.

 

The cars vin is # 1Z87495424511. What are the chances of having the the casting # 14016379 and it not being the correct block?
I wondering why there only one number on the pad?

 

Because it is probably a late model aftermarket block put in as a replacement. You would not have a VIN number stamped on the block as it was probably sold as a new replacement block rather than out of another car so stamping the VIN number on it would be not needed.

As a side note, your car is #24,511 of 53,807 made in Saint Louis - almost mid-way through total production - based on you VIN number it does indicate it is a L82 model - but the block is not.

I would say the entire motor is a replacement...and not a matching number car as the seller claimed.

 

Im confused The casting number 14016379 is a late 1979casting number so how could be a "late" model replacement block?

 

Late model meaning late model GM - meaning a 1979 block which may be "right" for your car - just not a matching number block.

 

Don't get too hung up on 'Matching Numbers'. A matching numbers 79 & $1 will get you a cup of coffee. They're drivers not investments. Don't be offended, I drive a 79.

 

The point is, if he was told when he bought the car that it was a matching number car then it probably should have been. If the seller knowingly deceived him, regardless of "our" opinion on what it is worth or not worth, he ought to go back and call him on it. Just my $.02

As a side note I disagree with your coffee analogy - if a car is matching numbers, all original and clean versus hacked and bubba'ed I would expect the original matching number car might be worth a bit more when put up against the other one. Then again, I guess it is all about what you like...

To say a '79 is a "driver" and not "investment", is all in what you pay for it versus what you get. If you are implying the value will go down versus up I think the true "survivor" cars, the matching number, un-hacked ones will only go UP in value over time - then again, I did not aquire my '79 as an investment - but knowing it is 100% stock original, one owner, matching #'s, etc, means something to me and I guess in the end that is what really matters.

By the way, don't let your '79 hear you talk about her that way - she might strand you in the middle of no where just out of spite for calling her a "driver"! Later dude...

 

Not trying to be contrary, but it is possible that this is the original block. The casting number quoted was used in the latter part of 1979 production run for both L48 and L82.

Knowing the casting would help confirm this possibility. It would have to be dated before the assembly date of the car.

On the other side, it sounds like the stamp pad has been played with. Without that, the engine's originality can never be conformed.

There again, why worry about it.

 

This matching numbers thing will drive you insane. Drive your cars, I think thats why you bought it. For most of us we will never see the value reach what we have spent in money & time. I for one could give a rats a** about matching, and I'm lucky to have 4 Vettes, 2 chrome bumpers (matching) and 2 not. (71-72-76-79). I for one would yank out the matching motor if anything should happen and install a crate motor in a flash. I own them, repair them and paid for them, and will enjoy them the way I want. I really could care less about the next owner and what they like, I guess they just have to look else where if they are into this matching thing, mine aren't trailer queens

 

First of all let me say I didnt buy this car because it was matching # car
I bought it because it was a mint low mileage,loaded, unmolested vette.
The engine stampings are sort of a fun to pursue. If this car was a 1970
big block car [big dollar] I would have been checking a little closer before I bought.
I found the date code casting on the block C 02 9. That number tranlates into march 2 79. So now I have the correct block casting #14016379 and a casting date that predates the car build time by two or three months[vin #]. It seems unlikely to me that if this was a replacement block the casting numbers would be as they are.I guess
its possible the block was replaced early in life [under warranty]. Anyways the car is going next week for new dual ehaust and tune up. It still has all orginal belts and hoses plug wires etc. When the car is up the hoist we will root around to see if theres any other clues as to the numbers issues. Thanks to all you guys who responded I will post more info when I get it.

 

beaumont66, enjoy your car to the fullest, thats what counts.

 

Most probably the original block then.

 

...Houston, we have a problem...

...first of all his VIN # is 24511. The last '79 built in February was VIN #25115, so he has a late February car. His block date is C 02 9, which is March 2, 1979. Problem solved.

 

Ooops, why did I think this was a May car?

 

Thanks again for all the interest. I wonder because this motor has no
suffix stamping on the pad[#67234 only] and the casting date of block if this was a warranty replacement engine. I guess if the motor was in another car it would have suffix stampings. Anyone have info on this type of stamping with no suffix?