VIN Analysis
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Pro
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 504
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From: NW Michigan
VIN Analysis
I generally consider myself a decent internet researcher, but I've given up and hope someone with greater knowledge can help me figure out what's under the hood of my 'Vette...
The VIN on my 4-speed '80 is: 1Z878AS428930
The engine#/partial VIN is: 15J217257
The engine code is: V04I7CMJ
The # on the block near the bell housing, driver side is: 3970010
Obviously my ride is not "numbers matching"...
Does the engine # say a Chevy built in 1975 in Janesville, and the code say either a 1974 350 or a 1980 305 built April 17 in Flint, and the casting number say a 1969-79 350 Vette???
I know it's a Chevy SB350, but is the engine just a hodge-podge? Nothing seems to match up... Or am I overthinking this?
The VIN on my 4-speed '80 is: 1Z878AS428930
The engine#/partial VIN is: 15J217257
The engine code is: V04I7CMJ
The # on the block near the bell housing, driver side is: 3970010
Obviously my ride is not "numbers matching"...
Does the engine # say a Chevy built in 1975 in Janesville, and the code say either a 1974 350 or a 1980 305 built April 17 in Flint, and the casting number say a 1969-79 350 Vette???
I know it's a Chevy SB350, but is the engine just a hodge-podge? Nothing seems to match up... Or am I overthinking this?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
CMJ indicates a base engine 350 for Camaro or Monte Carlo. Plant code of J identifies Janesville, Wisconsin. The 5 in the VIN derivative is almost certainly model year 1975. I'd say your engine is out of a 1975 Monte Carlo. If memory serves, Camaros were not built at Janesville.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,496
Likes: 1,313
From: Huntsville AL
I generally consider myself a decent internet researcher, but I've given up and hope someone with greater knowledge can help me figure out what's under the hood of my 'Vette...
The VIN on my 4-speed '80 is: 1Z878AS428930
The engine#/partial VIN is: 15J217257
The engine code is: V04I7CMJ
The # on the block near the bell housing, driver side is: 3970010
The VIN on my 4-speed '80 is: 1Z878AS428930
The engine#/partial VIN is: 15J217257
The engine code is: V04I7CMJ
The # on the block near the bell housing, driver side is: 3970010
The second digit in the VIN derivative (5) tells us the model year of the engine, and the CMJ tells us the rest.
This info came from the 4th edition of The Lime Book.
Last edited by emccomas; May 26, 2016 at 07:38 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,651
Likes: 3,110
From: Shamong, NJ
The "010" block's usuage was not limited to the Corvette. The 010 was used across all Chevrolet lines for 350 engines. It is probably the most common small block Chevrolet block casting.
