I just purchase a 71 Vette and though it had a number matching engine since the vin # matched the partial vin# on the front engine pad. When I got the car home, I noted that the suffix on the engin pad had CKX which indicates that the engin is a 72 block.

Does anyone know if the CKX block is an exception in 1971 or did I purchase a car with a re-stamp vin# on the engine pad?

 

Check for the casting date on the block, if it's after your car was built then the engine is not the original.

 

Here's all the specs-

http://www.71corvette.com/engine.html

Richard

 

The VIN # matches the stamp pad? Has the pad been re-stamped or something?

 

What is the assembly date before the suffix?

What is the casting date? (and in what format?)

 

The engin assembly date is V0202CKX.

I'm having a hard time finding the casting date. I'm looking at the rear of the engine block passanger's side, right of the ditributor, but still can't find the casting date.

 

V0202CKX means that your engine was assembled on February 2 in the Flint MI engine plant.

February 2nd is about halfway through the model year of a Corvette, so it's impossible for it to find it's way into a previous year car.

You're sure your car is not actually a '72?

What's the complete VIN?

What's on the trim data plate on the door post?

 

The stamp pad serial number format was different for 71 and 72. All but very early 71's should be C11S1XXXXX. 72's should be 12S5XXXXX. What does your's say?

 

The vin# is 194671S111226 and the stamp on the pad is 11S111226.

 

The trim plate is 404 and paint code 972. The interior of the car is black with leather seats and the exterior is white.

 

That vin is for a 1971 vert, the vins for '71 ran 194371S100001 thru 194371S121801. The 6 in the forth digit says its a convertible. The CKX suffix signifies a 1972 option, 350ci, 200 hp, automatic.

I am afraid that a '72 engine would have a very hard time getting into a '71 car at the factory. It would be best to also have the casting date.

The car I assume is a vert?....is it auto or standard?

 

The vette is a convertible and it has an automatic transmission.

 

Your car is right in the middle of production, number wise. You are missing a crucial first digit on your front engine pad vin stamping. The capital letter C should precede the rest of your vin stamping.

 

Look from the drivers side.

 

Your VIN Report:

Division (1): Chevrolet
Car Line (9467): Corvette Convertible
Model Year (1): 1971
Plant (S): St. Louis, MO
Sequence Number: 111226

Approximate birthday 194371S111226: March 4, 1971

1971 Engine Identification Codes:
Engine Code Cubic Inches Order Code H.P. Applicable Equipment
CJL 350 Base 270 Rochester Q-jet & 4-Speed
CGT 350 Base 270 Rochester Q-jet & Turbo Hydra-Matic
CJK* 350 Base 270 Rochester Q-jet & Turbo Hydra-Matic
CGZ 350 LT1 330 Holley 1x4BC, Mechanical Lifters, & 4-Speed
CGY 350 ZR1 330 Performance Package, LT1 Engine & M22 4-Speed
CPH 454 LS5 365 Rochester Q-jet, Hydraulic Lifters & 4-Speed
CPJ 454 LS5 365 Rochester Q-jet, Hydraulic Lifters & THM
CPW 454 LS6 425 Holley 1x4BC, Mech. Lifters, Alum. Heads & 4-Spd
CPX 454 LS6 425 Holley 1x4BC, Mech. Lifters, Alum. Heads & THM



1972 Engine Identification Codes:
Engine Code Cubic Inches Order Code H.P. Applicable Equipment
CKW 350 Base 200 Rochester Q-jet & 4-Speed
CDH 350 Base 200 Rochester Q-jet, NB2 & 4-Speed
CKX 350 Base 200 Rochester Q-jet & Turbo Hydra-Matic
CDJ 350 Base 200 Rochester Q-jet, NB2 & Turbo Hydra-Matic
CKY 350 LT1 255 Holley 1x4BC, Mechanical Lifters, & 4-Speed
CRT 350 LT1 255 Holley 1x4BC, Mechanical Lifters, K19 & 4-Speed
CKZ 350 ZR1 255 Performance Package, LT1 Engine & M22 4-Speed
CPH 454 LS5 270 Rochester Q-jet, Hydraulic Lifters & 4-Speed
CPJ 454 LS5 270 Rochester Q-jet, Hydraulic Lifters & THM
CSR 454 LS5 270 Rochester Q-jet, Hyd. Lifters, K19 & 4-Speed
CSS 454 LS5 270 Rochester Q-jet, Hyd. Lifters, K19 & THM


Looks like its a 72 engine.

 

The casting date will reveal a lot here.

Whats the date code on the trim tag?