Can someone help me out with these numbers. I'm starting to suspect I was sold a non-numbers matching car as a numbers matching car. :mad :mad

They're a little hard to read so I'll put them all up :

V0883 TFT 097105268

Any clues???


[Modified by tshort, 6:33 AM 2/5/2002]

 

is there a big number on the back top part of the block on the drivers side near the distibutor behind that head i can tell you what that number means.

 

Like Jester69 has stated, you need to get the # from the location he stated. There are 4 possible numbers that would match a 69 with a 350/350. They include: 3932386, 3932388, 3956618, 3970010

The block could be any of these above #'s. In order for it to be an original 350/350, you would need a cylinder head casting number of 3927186
http://www.mortec.com can help identify block and head casting numbers.

 

I believe the TFT code was only used in 1979.

 

V interprets as the Flint, MI plant in which the motor was assembled.

0883....'08' is the month of August and the last two numerals is the day of the month. Since there are not 83 days in August, I would venture this is a 0 or another number.

TFT is the engine code designating a '79 350/165hp 4b,AT that originated in a truck.

No matter the dates or other numbers...if you have the TFT correct...it is not the original motor for your Vette.

 

topless68 is correct. TFT would not be a vette engine. Also the other number, 097105268, is the VIN derivitive. The last 5 or 6 digits match the last of the VIN of the car/truck it was originaly installed in. The number on a 69 Vette would have been something like 1Z9S499999.

tom...


[Modified by Tom73, 7:21 AM 2/5/2002]

 

I'm so pissed!!! :mad :mad :mad
Have any of you guys run into this problem and if so what did you do?
Sue? Baseball bat?

I think I can locate the original ad which listed the car as a numbers matching car. I was just out of college and was a trusting young lad. The guy seemed really nice and gave me all kinds of receipts and old parts. I didn't know enough at the time about how to check if the engine was original.

I would seriously like to know what some of you guys have done if you've been in this situation.
You can also email me at travisshort@hotmail.com

Thanks

 

Travis, I doubt you can do anything now, depending on how long ago this happened. Also, by the time you went out and hired a lawyer, paid his fees, it probably still would'nt be worth it. The main thing is to just enjoy the car for what it is and not "worry" about the "originality" of the engine. For years this "numbers-matching" bit has gone too far. Look at all these LT-1, 427, and fuelie cars advertised today that exclaim "numbers-matching". I'd bet a good deal of them are "restamped" engines. I found a ten year old Hemming's last year and paged through it and read ad after ad for older Corvettes that said, "new engine, new engine..." I wonder how many of those cars are "today" numbers-matching. To your past owner, he replaced a 350ci with a 350ci, so to him it was "numbers matching". Or, the person he purchased it from told him the same story. I've been saying this on this board for years now, anybody wishing to purchase a Corvette and don't know what you're looking at, ask here!!! Most people here will gladly look at a Corvette with another person looking to buy one. I've done it more times than I can remember. I'd just forget about it, maintain and enjoy your car. As you're driving your Corvette down the road and people are looking, I doubt they're thinking "wonder if that Vette has the original motor in it?".

 

There is probably little you can do now. Last December, I purchased a '79 "L82" 4speed. It had the L82 emblems on the hood, but nothing else, and I was too stupid and trusting to check :eek: . The seller was a nice guy and seemed like a good Christian family man. Did he lie to me, or was he ignorant? Who knows. Fortunately, the price was low enough for me to live with it.

 

Paul,
Honestly, I agree with most of what you said. When I was looking for the car, I wasn't worried too much about numbers matching. But the car I found was in the condition I was looking for and for a decent price. If I had known it was not the original engine I would have offered less for the car. My point is that I was lied to and in most buyers minds the value of the car is less without the original engine. And I am trying to sell the car now. If I was keeping the car it wouldn't bother me too much. Just bothers me that there are people like that out there!

 

Travis, there is people who "probably" make a living buying and selling Corvettes, some cars they sell may be legit, some not legit. Main thing is if you sell the car, I'd be honest about what you now know-yeah, people will come out and check that engine pad and all and tell you something you now already know. I would'nt be dishonest about it, alot of people looking at a nice cruise Corvette to drive really don't care about the "originality" of the engine. Some will, but alot won't. Good luck! :yesnod:

 

don't you hate it when that happens??