C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

engine identification from door plate

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 25, 2009 | 02:45 PM
  #1  
gradys caars's Avatar
gradys caars
Thread Starter
7th Gear
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Default engine identification from door plate

This 74 rebuild is getting all consuming ... was looking at thread other day about VIN so went and looked at ours. Everything matched up but the code for the engine which shows "J" unlike what was posted the other day. Apparently built 9/73 as a 1974 model in St Louis. What kind of engine is a "J".
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2009 | 03:10 PM
  #2  
69Vett's Avatar
69Vett
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Default

J is not an engine, you cannot tell what type of engine from VIN TAG.
Only if it is the orginal matching the Vin#
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2009 | 03:27 PM
  #3  
Duke94's Avatar
Duke94
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Default

This will tell you what you have.

Gary



Reply
Old Jul 25, 2009 | 03:45 PM
  #4  
73 454 vette's Avatar
73 454 vette
Instructor
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 117
Likes: 1
From: poughkeepsie ny
Default

J is not an engine, you cannot tell what type of engine from VIN TAG.
Only if it is the orginal matching the Vin#
in the corvette vin i thought position 5 shows the engine size that was originally installed. letters were used and vary by year
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2009 | 04:30 PM
  #5  
Mike Ward's Avatar
Mike Ward
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Default

Originally Posted by gradys caars
This 74 rebuild is getting all consuming ... was looking at thread other day about VIN so went and looked at ours. Everything matched up but the code for the engine which shows "J" unlike what was posted the other day. Apparently built 9/73 as a 1974 model in St Louis. What kind of engine is a "J".
If you're getting the J from the trim tag on the drivers door pillar post near the hinge, that's the date it was built.

If you are looking at the VIN tag on the windshield frame, on a '74 the J is for an L48 (base) engine.

The engine type became part of the VIN in '72 MY.
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2009 | 04:43 PM
  #6  
ragtag74's Avatar
ragtag74
Racer
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
From: Palm Beach Gardens Florida
Default ragtag74

all of my plates were missing.The only plate I have is the vin on the windshield,I think the only original 1974 part on my car is the center grill. Ragtag
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2009 | 04:52 PM
  #7  
ragtag74's Avatar
ragtag74
Racer
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
From: Palm Beach Gardens Florida
Default ragtag74

Has any one noticed that there are many more 74's on the Forum this past year.When I first joined I felt like the red headed cousin,I seemed to be the only one.Glad to have more of you around.It was the last of some features and the beginning of many. John
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2009 | 05:02 PM
  #8  
gradys caars's Avatar
gradys caars
Thread Starter
7th Gear
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Default

Gary this is awesome thanks .... you realilze a monster is being created as now i have to go check all the numbers. I was told it is all number matching but now I can determine for myself ... thanks again. Gradys
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 25, 2009 | 06:34 PM
  #9  
Duke94's Avatar
Duke94
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Default

Originally Posted by gradys caars
Gary this is awesome thanks .... you realilze a monster is being created as now i have to go check all the numbers. I was told it is all number matching but now I can determine for myself ... thanks again. Gradys
That's the fun in owning an old car. Trying to figure out what you have. Here's another one so you can go check what axle and trannie you have.

Gary

Reply
Old Jul 25, 2009 | 08:45 PM
  #10  
69Vett's Avatar
69Vett
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Default

opps I meant the trim tag. :o 69VETT
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2009 | 01:23 PM
  #11  
glassman74's Avatar
glassman74
Racer
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 323
Likes: 0
From: CA
Default

Originally Posted by Duke94
This will tell you what you have.

Gary



Gary,
My 74 trim tag reads: Chev--- N30, trim 416, paint 80L.
Production #37456

What am I missing? glassman74

Last edited by glassman74; Jul 26, 2009 at 01:28 PM.
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2009 | 02:09 PM
  #12  
Mike Ward's Avatar
Mike Ward
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Default

Originally Posted by glassman74

What am I missing? glassman74
Accurate reference info. The page shown above is not correct. '74 production ended in late Sept.74, probably on the 30th. Your tag was attached on that day and is the 6th from last car built for the model year.

The body colour chart is also wrong as GM had shifted over to a 2 digit code from 3 digit. 80 is Orange Metallic, L is for lower. Two tone cars had L and U for lower and upper body paint.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To engine identification from door plate





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:42 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE