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Engine Suffix ID Location

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Old Jun 11, 2007 | 05:20 PM
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Default Engine Suffix ID Location

I found a 71 Corvette that I'm really interested in, but I'm having trouble finding all the info that I want from the VIN and Engine Code. The VIN is 194371S106269.
But the problem is that the plate on the front of the engine is illegible. The PO claims that the engine was rebuilt and since most of the numbers are missing from that plate, I'm guessing that he's probably telling the truth. However, there were enough numbers for me to make out that its the 3970010 block. But I'm missing the Engine Suffix ID. Is there anything that can be done to confirm that this is infact the original engine or is the information just gone?
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Old Jun 11, 2007 | 07:27 PM
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I think you might be out of luck. If the VIN number is gone from the block stamp pad there is no way of knowing if it's original or not. The number 3970010 is the block casting number and was used from 69 to 79 in both 2 and 4 bolt mains. What is the plate you are referring to? The numbers are stamped on a boss at the right front corner of the block and a plate.
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Old Jun 11, 2007 | 07:46 PM
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Here is the picture of the area that I'm talking about. As you can see there is some crap on the area that has the numbers on it, so some of the numbers are missing. But is there another area on the engine that may have the Engine Suffix ID that I'm looking for? Or what exactly is the number that I'm looking for to see if its the original motor or not?

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Old Jun 11, 2007 | 08:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Patrick7899
Here is the picture of the area that I'm talking about. As you can see there is some crap on the area that has the numbers on it, so some of the numbers are missing. But is there another area on the engine that may have the Engine Suffix ID that I'm looking for? Or what exactly is the number that I'm looking for to see if its the original motor or not?

that's where you need to look..........what #s are there? also, there should be a date code cast on the block.check to see if it is close to the build date of the car. This doesn't mean it's the right block, but it's a good indicator. good luck, john
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Old Jun 11, 2007 | 08:37 PM
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That is where I was looking. That is where I found the 3970010. Or actually i found the 01007, i can't see anything else on that area. Actually the numbers that are visible are barely because they are sanded off.
I put the VIN in at a website and it gave me a Jan. 12, 1971 date. And then on the Plate inside the Driver's door is the code F12 does that play any part with the birth date of the car?
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Old Jun 11, 2007 | 09:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Patrick7899
That is where I was looking. That is where I found the 3970010. Or actually i found the 01007, i can't see anything else on that area. Actually the numbers that are visible are barely because they are sanded off.
I put the VIN in at a website and it gave me a Jan. 12, 1971 date. And then on the Plate inside the Driver's door is the code F12 does that play any part with the birth date of the car?
ok....I brought my "Corvette By The Numbers" book with me on vacation at the beach.......and my wife says I'd never use it!!!!! The code for "F' in 1971 is January, which would match the vin,,,,so your plate is right, so now look on the block for a date code cast into it. for example, my 68 has a cast date of "D 16 8", which is april 16th, 68.look for something like that, should end in either "1" or more likely, "0" , since its a january car, let me know, john (in Avalon NJ, with the kids)
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Old Jun 11, 2007 | 09:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Patrick7899
That is where I was looking. That is where I found the 3970010. Or actually i found the 01007, i can't see anything else on that area. Actually the numbers that are visible are barely because they are sanded off.
I put the VIN in at a website and it gave me a Jan. 12, 1971 date. And then on the Plate inside the Driver's door is the code F12 does that play any part with the birth date of the car?
The F12 is January 12, 1971 so it agrees with the VIN.
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Old Jun 11, 2007 | 09:11 PM
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Originally Posted by avalonjohn
ok....I brought my "Corvette By The Numbers" book with me on vacation at the beach.......and my wife says I'd never use it!!!!! The code for "F' in 1971 is January, which would match the vin,,,,so your plate is right, so now look on the block for a date code cast into it. for example, my 68 has a cast date of "D 16 8", which is april 16th, 68.look for something like that, should end in either "1" or more likely, "0" , since its a january car, let me know, john (in Avalon NJ, with the kids)
also,the cast date is on the other end of the block, i think its near the bellhousing ont he drivers side.
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Old Jun 11, 2007 | 09:16 PM
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Originally Posted by avalonjohn
ok....I brought my "Corvette By The Numbers" book with me on vacation at the beach.......and my wife says I'd never use it!!!!! The code for "F' in 1971 is January, which would match the vin,,,,so your plate is right, so now look on the block for a date code cast into it. for example, my 68 has a cast date of "D 16 8", which is april 16th, 68.look for something like that, should end in either "1" or more likely, "0" , since its a january car, let me know, john (in Avalon NJ, with the kids)
Ok Great! Thanks for the info. I'll try and call the Owners tomorrow and see if they can locate the Date code on the block. Any help with where it might be located. I'm sure they aren't going to know where to look so any suggestions for them might aid in me getting a quicker response.
Thanks,
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Old Jun 11, 2007 | 09:17 PM
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Originally Posted by avalonjohn
also,the cast date is on the other end of the block, i think its near the bellhousing ont he drivers side.
Thanks, I was in the middle of asking this exact question when you were answering it.

Thanks!
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Old Jun 12, 2007 | 09:28 AM
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Originally Posted by Patrick7899
...Actually the numbers that are visible are barely because they are sanded off...


75 shown, others smiliar. There should be two stamped numbers on the engine pad. If the numbers are not there, the block has been decked.

...Plate inside the Driver's door is the code F12 does that play any part with the birth date of the car?
F12 is the time/build date if the car and the closest you will get to an actual birth date. F12 stands for January 12th and means the car passed the station on the assembly line where the trim tag was attached to the body on January 12th. The car would not have been finished at this point and would have required another day to day and a half on the line to have been completed. There are exceptions, but she probably rolled off the line January 13th or 14th. A copy of the dealer invoice will tell you the date the car was shipped from St. Louis.


Last edited by Easy Mike; Jun 12, 2007 at 09:32 AM.
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