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Old Nov 12, 2006 | 11:30 PM
  #1  
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Default Block #'s

i tried getting my block #'s to see what i got in my vette because it doesnt feel stock, but who knows?
this is what i found, i dont know which way they were supposed to be read from, but i found this:

M090L9VP

can someone help me find out what i have please? thanks in advance!
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 12:02 AM
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What year Corvette? Where did you see those numbers? If you fill out your profile it will help us help you better.

Thanks!
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 07:13 AM
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You need the casting number that is on the pad drivers side behind the distributor. A casting date would also be helpful. Also the engine code in the front passenger side above the water pump, next to the S/N would be helpful.
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 10:57 AM
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...M090L9VP...
Not sure what you've got there, but it isn't a Corvette number.

You will find two stampings on the pad at the front of the right head. You may have to clean off some road gook to see them, but they should be there. One is the engine identification stamp and the other contains the VIN derivative of the vehicle this engine was originally installed in. Jot down both and post them here.

All Corvette small blocks were assembled at Flint, Michigan and are coded V; big blocks were assembled at Tonawanda, New York and are coded T.

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Old Nov 14, 2006 | 01:34 AM
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1979 corvette A/T, 350 c.i.d red....lol i dont think color matters now that i think of it, but red seems to make it go faster. the #'s came from the Passenger side on that pad on the front of the block. ill try to grab the other #'s next to the Distributor...didnt know there were some behind there. some of the #'s i got off the block seemed like they werent really deep when they stamped them, but to the best of my ability they are correct. are they split up maybe into 2 #'s? do these #'s tell anything about what kinda hp i have or anything, im really new at this.
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Old Nov 14, 2006 | 09:39 AM
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http://www.nastyz28.com/bbcmenu.html

May help once you get the right numbers.
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Old Nov 14, 2006 | 11:51 AM
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Originally Posted by EVIL_GRIM
1979 corvette ...the #'s came from the Passenger side on that pad on the front of the block....
Read the pad again. There should be two numbers there. First one should start with a V, not an M. Check it. You might actually have a V and could be looking at broach marks which make it appear to be an M. The last three characters of that number is the engine identification suffix and should be ZA_ or ZB_. The final character will also be a letter. Example: V0901ZAA V indicates the Flint, Michigan engine assembly plant. All Corvette smallblocks were assembled at Flint; 0901 is the calendar date the engine was assembled (September 1); ZAA is the engine code for the L-48 base engine with 4 speed.

Second stamping will have smaller characters than the engine stamp and will be 19S4xxxxx with the Xs standing for the consecutive unit number of the VIN. Example: 19S412345 1 for Corvette, 9 for model year (79), S for the St. Louis plant code, 4 for the car line series for 1979 (Corvette) and 12345 for the VIN.

Your sample of M090L9VP has the correct number of characters, but they aren't Corvette codes.

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Old Nov 14, 2006 | 11:53 AM
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so is it possible that the motor isnt the correct one for my vette and it might be from something else? if so how can i tell with the #'s i pulled? i looked real hard a second time and thats all the #'s i have in the front of the block, ill try the distributor next. thanks for your help guys.
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Old Nov 14, 2006 | 12:41 PM
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Most engines that start with an 'M' came from GM's plant in Mexico. Yours is probably a target master crate engine.
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Old Nov 14, 2006 | 12:50 PM
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Originally Posted by EVIL_GRIM
so is it possible that the motor isnt the correct one for my vette and it might be from something else?...
Correct. M090L9VP is not a Corvette code. I'm not sure what it is. My Chevrolet small block engine code book does not list M as an assembly plant and does not list 9VP as an engine suffix.

.. if so how can i tell with the #'s i pulled?...
You may not be able to tell without further information. Can you contact the previous owner to see what he/she knows about this engine?

...ill try the distributor next...
The distributor code won't tell you much about the original engine. You're almost certainly looking at a 75-up GM HEI unit. Literally millions of those around.

What's the VIN for your car?

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Old Nov 14, 2006 | 12:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike Ward
Most engines that start with an 'M' came from GM's plant in Mexico. Yours is probably a target master crate engine.

Aha! Mexico! M090L9VP is beginning to make a little sense.
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Old Nov 14, 2006 | 04:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Easy Mike
Aha! Mexico! M090L9VP is beginning to make a little sense.
Say It Aint So! here is my VIN#

1Z8789S444914
hope this helps
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Old Nov 14, 2006 | 05:39 PM
  #13  
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M090L9VP

Can you check this number one more time ... ???
M = Mexico

the next 4 digits should be all numbers,
like maybe 0909 ... ???
these numbers denote 2 digit month and 2 digit day

VP = there is no VP .. could it be UP ??
If yes, it's a truck engine:
1969 307 Truck 200hp RPO L-14
Manual Trans 2-Brl Carb 4-WD

That 090L is throwing everything off ... if you're not sure,
can you post a picture of the pad ???
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Old Nov 14, 2006 | 10:52 PM
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Default Mathing #s

I have a 1980. motor matches car. My current ouestion is the rear end. the only # I could find was 10 5 79. Which productionwise would match an 80. Is there more #s ;or is that all. Thanks guys.
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Old Nov 14, 2006 | 10:59 PM
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Default sorry I made a mistake

I posted on your thread.
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Old Nov 14, 2006 | 11:25 PM
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i can try to post a pic but the fuel line running up the block is covering it somewhat. anyone have any software to sharpen up fuzzy pics if i can get the #'s to show in the pic?
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