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Old Nov 14, 2010 | 03:42 PM
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Default Strange vin #

the vin# on my 76 engine has a vin# with the last digit is a 9 the rest of the vin# is the same also the correct vin# is stamped in the block but beside this # V0729CKX. Maybe this was a Friday/Monday car. The complete vin is 1Z37L6S5445126 same on the frame. I have owned HER since 1985 no swap outs. Any info about car would help. On driver door tag same vin # with build date 8/76
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Old Nov 14, 2010 | 05:26 PM
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So, you're saying that the actual car VIN ends with 6 and the VIN derivative on the engine stamp pad ends with a 9?
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Old Nov 14, 2010 | 09:18 PM
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yea,also the correct vin# in also on the block. strange to have both is this ever happen to others?
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Old Nov 14, 2010 | 09:28 PM
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So now you're saying there's TWO VIN stamps on the block?

Never seen one myself. Usually when an error was made it got ground out and the new info stamped over top.
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Old Nov 14, 2010 | 09:38 PM
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that what it looks like to me what up with this other set of #s V0729CKX on the block mean anything?
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Old Nov 14, 2010 | 10:12 PM
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I am not sure of the question.

The VIN as stated, 1Z37L6S5445126, shows it was the 45,126th one built.

The V0729CKX shows that the engine was assembled at the Flit plant on July 29th.

You state that the build date was 8/76 which would match with a july build engine.

and....what was the question again?


Edit: okay now I see, vin ends in 6, vin stamp on engine ends in 9. Does the VIN match the title?
I would have to guess that who ever was doing the stamping that day just got the 6 upside down in the stamp gang. What about the transmission, does it have the same mistake?

tom...

Last edited by Tom73; Nov 15, 2010 at 07:01 AM.
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Old Nov 15, 2010 | 11:11 AM
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Originally Posted by SMD 1976
...V0729CKX on the block mean anything?...
That's the assembly date and identification suffix for your engine.

V plant code for Flint, Michigan engine assembly plant
0729 date the engine was assembled at Flint (July 29th)
CKX suffix for an L-48 with auto transmission

V0729CKX was stamped on the engine at Flint before the engine was shipped to St. Louis.

The VIN derivitive on the pad next to V0729CKX was stamped on the engine at St. Louis. It should match the VIN on the driver's windshield post, but for you it looks like the numeral 6 may have been put in the tool upside down resulting in a 9 being stamped.

Check your transmission. The same stamping tool was used to stamp the transmission. It's possible the tranny will show the same mistake.




Last edited by Easy Mike; Nov 15, 2010 at 11:14 AM.
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Old Nov 15, 2010 | 12:38 PM
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what area on the transmission
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Old Nov 15, 2010 | 12:51 PM
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Originally Posted by SMD 1976
what area on the transmission
It could vary from year to year. Probably passenger's side, but check the assembly instruction manual (AIM) for the exact location.

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Old Nov 15, 2010 | 07:09 PM
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i have taken a pic of the block to show what i was saying in my op. try to figure out how to insert in my post. the info that has been sent helps me to better understand my car. will make my restro a lot more interesting.
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Old Nov 16, 2010 | 08:44 AM
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On my 78 it is on the driver's side. You can read the number from top to bottom, in this pic you can see the last 3 digits are 725 :

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Old Nov 16, 2010 | 07:15 PM
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this is a pic with two vin#'s on the block. has anybody seen this before. the vin # ending with 6 is what matches the car vin #. thanks for the help on the trans vin # locate need to do some cleaning to find.



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Old Nov 16, 2010 | 11:48 PM
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Whale Oil Beef Hooked! Never seen one that like that before. Mind if I ask around?
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Old Nov 17, 2010 | 12:34 AM
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That certainly looks like the 'stamp guy' inserted the last digit upside-down and stamped the block...then tried to correct the error by stamping the correct number on it also. That operator would not have had any equipment to grind off the 'bad' number. Odds are the unit did not get tagged for rework and just got shipped 'as is'. Never seen one like that before, but you can tell that the same gang stamp made both number impressions (except for the corrected number). IMO, you have a bonafide 'oddball' engine block stamp that came that way from the factory. {either that, or the engine has a split-personality...}
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Old Nov 17, 2010 | 12:29 PM
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when i do the engine rebuild hope block doesn't to be decked. have several sb setting in shop from racing days. will try to post some pics of pulling body off. a lot a great info here on CF only thing i forgot to remove was wire to brake valve didn't break it might be a tad longer. my build sheet looked like a scrap piece of paper just my luck.
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Old Nov 17, 2010 | 01:17 PM
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Originally Posted by 7T1vette
...That certainly looks like the 'stamp guy' inserted the last digit upside-down and stamped the block...then tried to correct the error by stamping the correct number on it also...

The six got put in upsidedown and was stamped as a nine. When he saw the mistake, he put the six in correctly and stamped it again. The question remains: did he see the mistake and make the change before he stamped the tranny?

Unique to say the least.

Thanks for the pic.

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Old Nov 17, 2010 | 02:03 PM
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Originally Posted by SMD 1976
when i do the engine rebuild hope block doesn't to be decked.
99.999999% of undamaged engines do NOT need to be decked. What you see and measure at overhaul (and look horrible) is the way the engine was machined at GM. It lasted 100K miles with no issues, why farque with it now?
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Old Nov 17, 2010 | 02:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Easy Mike

The six got put in upsidedown and was stamped as a nine.

I'm not sure. I believe the stamps only fit one way into the holder. Possibly a 9 got mixed in with the 6's- easy enough to do I would think.
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Old Nov 17, 2010 | 03:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike Ward
...Possibly a 9 got mixed in with the 6's- easy enough to do I would think.
I agree. Easy to goof.

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Old Nov 17, 2010 | 07:01 PM
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just took pic of trans, looks like the "stamp guy" tried to fix problem. look at the last #. going back stock you are right shouldn't need decking. just standard on my other engines thanks again for the input.



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