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May 22, 2021 | 10:22 AM

ronniegman

Thread Starter

2nd Gear

Joined: May 2021

Posts: 2

Likes: 0

From: Westpoint Va

Block ID

I recently found a 350 block from 1978 and it’s a V0502CHC Stamped with a Vin of 18S281222 , I have been told it was an L82 but the vin sequence doesn’t seem correct.

May 22, 2021 | 10:53 AM

69L88

Melting Slicks

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 3,359

Likes: 1,785

From: Apple Valley, MN

My research on this forum indicates CMR or CMS are the only L82 codes for 1978.

Last edited by 69L88; May 22, 2021 at 10:53 AM.

May 22, 2021 | 11:21 AM

PJO

Melting Slicks

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 2,472

Likes: 754

From: Laporte, IN

Suffix code CHC was used in a Corvette in 1975,76 and 1980 not in a 1978.

1978 codes were:
CHW
CLR
CLM
CLS
CMR
CMS
CUT

VIN should be 18S4XXXXX or 18S9XXXXX

Total 1978 production was 46,776 units. Your block VIN is 81222 unit number

May 22, 2021 | 11:33 AM

derekderek

Race Director

Joined: Jul 2015

Posts: 13,082

Likes: 3,398

From: SW Florida.

vin number 18S281222. so 81k cars by may. how does one find which body used the check digit 2 after the S? and what other cars came out of St Louis at that time?

May 22, 2021 | 11:47 AM

stingr69

Le Mans Master

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 7,423

Likes: 1,458

From: Little Rock AR

If it is cast date in '78, it is from a Camaro 350/170 with TH350 transmission. That code data comes from the Lime Book.

May 22, 2021 | 11:57 AM

lars

Tech Contributor

Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 14,356

Likes: 6,328

From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado

CHC engines were used and designated as follows:

1973 307 (115 hp) Chevelle & Nova, 2-barrel, California emissions, automatic
1975 350 (205 hp) Corvette 4-barrel, 4-speed
1976 350 (210 hp) Corvette 4-barrel, 4-speed
1978 350 (170 hp) Camaro 4-barrel, Turbo 350 automatic
1988 305 (220 hp) Camaro Automatic transmission, Tuned Port Injection

If your engine is a 1978, it's a Camaro engine, and it's certainly not an L82.

Lars

Last edited by lars; May 22, 2021 at 11:59 AM.

May 22, 2021 | 02:34 PM

ronniegman

Thread Starter

2nd Gear

Joined: May 2021

Posts: 2

Likes: 0

From: Westpoint Va

Thanks for the Great info. But I don’t think any Camaros were built in STlouis . It’s definitely a 78 block D28 date code 3970010 block l. That’s why I’m stumped here.

May 22, 2021 | 02:41 PM

derekderek

Race Director

Joined: Jul 2015

Posts: 13,082

Likes: 3,398

From: SW Florida.

caprice or pick up truck were made in st Louis. both probably made more than 100k that year.

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May 22, 2021 | 03:28 PM

stingr69

Le Mans Master

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 7,423

Likes: 1,458

From: Little Rock AR

You know it is a 350. You know it is not a 305 or 400.

It probably does not have pushrod guideplates on the heads so it is not an L-82 so......it is a base 350. You could look inside the oil pan with an endoscope to see if it has 4 bolt mains or a windage tray but my money is on 2 bolt mains, cast iron crank and no windage tray. Crankshaft should be visible at back of block so you can see the casting parting line. They all have the same cam and small valve heads. Not much else is in there.