Thinking about selling the c4 and getting a c3, I am looking at a low mileage 78.. It is supposed to have a L82 motor in it and the vin matches,,,,,,,, The number on the motor is 3970010 , can someone tell me how to decode the number so I will no if it is a numbers matching car are not ?? Thanks for your help...

 

The 010 is the block serial number which is appropriate. However, you need to look at the small machined flat pad that is found just in front of the passenger side head. This will inclide an assembly code, which includes a prefix telling you the factory, the month and day of assembly, and a suffix code, which in this case should be either CMR or CMS, depending on transmission.

On the same pad there should be a VIN derivative, a portion of your VIN which includes the production number of your car (the last 5 digits) which would "match" your VIN plate and title.

 

That is the cast code of the engine.. cast in the back of the engine behind the distributor. they made millions of them and yours is not necessarily the same one that came with the car.
also in the back is a date code x yy zz for month date and year the engine was cast, if it is close and not past your car build date then I may be the original engine. then look at the numbers and letter stamping on your front engine block pad and look for numbers that also have a date code and the last 6 or so numbers should match your VIN on your pillar post and title. then there is a greater chance the engine is original to you car..

also 'numbers matching car' is a vague term.. what does it mean to you.. does it mean original engine.. plus trans, plus rear end, plus all other original parts in a list of several hundred parts? or just a subset of the list?

if these issues are important to you and the car is presented to you that way, then you owe it to yourself to understand them in order to not overpay for the car.

post all the numbers you find and we can decipher for you...

 

This might help.

 

The last 5 digits of that partial VIN is the sequence that the car was built during that year. 00001 would be the first car for that year etc. They should match the last 5 digits of the VIN on the pillar post if it is a "numbers matching" car.

 

ok, the engine code is Vo2160MS, and the other number is 185423918 Thanks for any info ..

 

This is my 78 4spd L82



Built in Flint April 20th CMR

Yours looks like Feb 16th and could that o be a C? which means it is for an auto. Those the last 5 digits of your VIN? if so the engine matches.

 

Yes, I think it is a C and it is a auto. trans.. And the last five numbers match the vin. It has 41000 miles on it and is great inside and out, everything works power windows, locks even the clock.. Only thing I could find at all was the radiator or a hose might have a very small leak,, Asking price is 13,999 , I don't know if this is a little high, or since it is low mileage in very good condition it is a good price any suggestions ??

 

CMS is the correct suffix for a 78 L-82 with automatic transmission. Your second zero is likely to be an alpha C.

The 5 is an alpha S. 18S423918 would be correct.

The fifth character of the VIN will be a 4 for 1978 Corvettes with the optional L-82 engine.

 

The asking price is 13,999.00 Does anyone have any ideas if this is a good price or to high ?? It is very nice only 41000 miles ..