Engine code help
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 489
Likes: 1
From: Suffolk Virginia
Engine code help
Hey Guys,
I was looking for engine codes on my 76, I found 197000 on the left rear near the bell housing, H205 in the right side.
Is the H205 the date code (July 20, 1975)? If so, would a motor built in 75 go in a 76? Are there numbers stamped somewhere else that would be more helpful?
thanks!
- Jay
I was looking for engine codes on my 76, I found 197000 on the left rear near the bell housing, H205 in the right side.
Is the H205 the date code (July 20, 1975)? If so, would a motor built in 75 go in a 76? Are there numbers stamped somewhere else that would be more helpful?
thanks!
- Jay
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 150
From: Forth Worth TX
197000 should be 3970010, it can be hard to read at times. It's the part number for the 350 block. There's about a zillion of them out there.
H205 is the date code for when the block was cast. Yes, a July 75 engine block cast date would be installed in a 76.
Look on the engine block just in front of the passenger side head, you should see a stamp pad with numbers in it. If it is the original engine you will see a set of numbers with the partial VIN of the car and the assembly date of the engine. Post a picture or let us know what you have.
It will look something like this,
H205 is the date code for when the block was cast. Yes, a July 75 engine block cast date would be installed in a 76.
Look on the engine block just in front of the passenger side head, you should see a stamp pad with numbers in it. If it is the original engine you will see a set of numbers with the partial VIN of the car and the assembly date of the engine. Post a picture or let us know what you have.
It will look something like this,
Last edited by Revi; May 30, 2014 at 08:06 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,009
Likes: 1,116
From: North tonawanda NY
Since the 76 model year corvettes came out halfway through 1975 that would make complete sense... they keep slowly moving the production year advertising earlier and earlier..... eventually you will be able to buy the a model year vehicle on the first day of the previous year making them a whole year off from what they really should be... stupid marketing.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 489
Likes: 1
From: Suffolk Virginia
Wow, some of these letters are almost gone, probably full of paint.
Best I can tell its 16S401886, and VO321C... last 2 digits are gouged out.
I don't see any part of my VIN in either number.
Best I can tell its 16S401886, and VO321C... last 2 digits are gouged out.
I don't see any part of my VIN in either number.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 848
Likes: 60
From: CA
16S401886 is the partial VIN of the car it came out of. In this case it's a 1976 Corvette, assembled at the St Louis, MO plant, and the last 6 digits of the VIN are 401886. That's not the last 6 digits of your VIN?
V0321C.. is the suffix code for the engine.
V - Assembled at the Flint, MI plant
03 - March
21 - March 21st (1976)
C.. is the engine code
Too bad it's messed up. Can you post a high resolution picture of the stamp pad? Maybe we can make something out.
And man, this block sure sat around waiting to be built! Cast on August 20th, 1975 and not built until March 21st, 1976! 7 months later.
Ed
V0321C.. is the suffix code for the engine.
V - Assembled at the Flint, MI plant
03 - March
21 - March 21st (1976)
C.. is the engine code
Too bad it's messed up. Can you post a high resolution picture of the stamp pad? Maybe we can make something out.
And man, this block sure sat around waiting to be built! Cast on August 20th, 1975 and not built until March 21st, 1976! 7 months later.
Ed
Last edited by restoman1; May 30, 2014 at 05:55 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 489
Likes: 1
From: Suffolk Virginia
my last six is 123191!
Hmmmm When I'm ready to sell I'll have to say "Numbers correct" instead of "Numbers Matching".
I almost wish I had not checked it now, it just makes me curious!
Hmmmm When I'm ready to sell I'll have to say "Numbers correct" instead of "Numbers Matching".
I almost wish I had not checked it now, it just makes me curious!
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Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
16S401886 is the partial VIN of the car it came out of. In this case it's a 1976 Corvette, assembled at the St Louis, MO plant, and the last 6 digits of the VIN are 401886. That's not the last 6 digits of your VIN?
V0321C.. is the suffix code for the engine.
V - Assembled at the Flint, MI plant
03 - March
21 - March 21st (1976)
C.. is the engine code
Too bad it's messed up. Can you post a high resolution picture of the stamp pad? Maybe we can make something out.
And man, this block sure sat around waiting to be built! Cast on August 20th, 1975 and not built until March 21st, 1976! 7 months later.
Ed
V0321C.. is the suffix code for the engine.
V - Assembled at the Flint, MI plant
03 - March
21 - March 21st (1976)
C.. is the engine code
Too bad it's messed up. Can you post a high resolution picture of the stamp pad? Maybe we can make something out.
And man, this block sure sat around waiting to be built! Cast on August 20th, 1975 and not built until March 21st, 1976! 7 months later.
Ed
Car serial number 01866 was born around Sept. 2 1975 which also makes sense.
Please don't even joke about using the phrase 'numbers correct'. 'Numbers matching' is bad enough.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 489
Likes: 1
From: Suffolk Virginia
just kidding about the numbers matching thing, i think everyone is familiar with the way engines are misrepresented.
Just got out the state issued title, last six is actually 423191.
this is the best I can do as far as a photo.
Just got out the state issued title, last six is actually 423191.
this is the best I can do as far as a photo.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
August 75, not March 76.
...Car serial number 01866 was born around Sept. 2 1975 which also makes sense...
Original VIN was 1Z37*6S4001886. *L for the L-48; X for the L-82.
Last edited by Easy Mike; May 31, 2014 at 07:55 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Where's that guy that was making a big fuss recently that there's nothing wrong with the 'numbers matching' phrase.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
You said that your car has a state-issued VIN that ends in 423191. Most states do not re-use (or know) the original OEM VIN when they issue their own. Your car appears to have had the original VIN of 1Z37L6S401886.
Any idea why there's a state issued VIN on the car? Theft? Salvage?
Any idea why there's a state issued VIN on the car? Theft? Salvage?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 489
Likes: 1
From: Suffolk Virginia
That's the number on the A-pillar. I didn't mean the state (VA) issued a new VIN, though that is possible I guess. I was thinking someone swapped the engine at some point, although finding THAT motor with a similar build date would be unlikely (and not very desirable).
The guy I bought it from had it painted and some other repairs done, but never had it titled in his name, which I thought seemed a little odd at the time.
Isn't 1Z37L6S423191 a valid VIN from 76?
The guy I bought it from had it painted and some other repairs done, but never had it titled in his name, which I thought seemed a little odd at the time.
Isn't 1Z37L6S423191 a valid VIN from 76?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
I get it now, the confusion was on my part. The car VIN is correct for a '76 so for reasons unknown, someone swapped in the engine from '76 car 401866.
Here's a link I found to an eBay auction for your car where the seller says that 'all the numbers match as far as he knows'
http://media.collectorcarpricetracke...0473283166.pdf
Here's a link I found to an eBay auction for your car where the seller says that 'all the numbers match as far as he knows'
http://media.collectorcarpricetracke...0473283166.pdf