Help with Engine ID #?

[69MnyPit]

Hi all, I recently acquired a 69 Stingray that supposedly has had the engine changed by the factory in 73. The serial # is S713755 with no two letter code after it. It also has REPLACEMENT stamped on the same boss with five circles about the size of a dime over the word. Each circle has the shape of the state of California and the word "Cali" inside the shape.:confused The block casting code is 3970010. All I can find on that is "later model 350". The VIN is 194379S718008. Another thing about the VIN...The original VIN tag is missing and a cheap foil sticker is on the driver aft door jamb. It says "Replacement VIN Number 194379S718008" and "State of California Control Number 333058". By the way, I have a Texas title on it now. Dont let the Avatar fool you. She's all torn down for restoration. It'll have the original Daytona Yellow and a complete new interior within a year. I'm very busy stripping the 8-10 coats of paint off at this time. It's amazing what you can find under all that! It's been in a few wrecks and several colors over the years. Nothing I can't handle though. Thank you in advance...

 

[Culprit]

Welcome to CAC! I'm sure someone smarter than I will be along shortly to help you out.

Semper Fidelis,
Culprit

 

[mike weyman]

3970010 is a good casting # and appropriate for that year.sounds like it was a wreck or stolen at one time hence the new serial #??from a sherrifs auction at one time maybe. it will be interesting to find out.mike

 

[Culprit]

Maybe you can find the original VIN on a build sheet or on the frame. You need a mirror and it's somewhere near the rear left wheel, but I don't have anything more specific than that.

 

[JohnZ]

The mylar sticker on the door is a California state-issued VIN; those are normally issued for theft-recovery cars where the car has been stripped, including the VIN plate. That's now the official/legal VIN plate for the car. The original VIN (assuming it's the original frame) is stamped on the top horizontal surface of the driver's side frame rail directly above the rear shock upper attaching bracket. A good cleaning of that area and a small mirror will allow you to read it. The engine is a replacement 350.

 

[69MnyPit]

Thanks, I appreciate the input. Any idea what the HP would be on the 350?

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Any idea what the HP would be on the 350?

There's virtually no way of telling the HP without tearing down the engine Casting #3970010 was used across just about all GM car lines from the late 60's up to '80. They made millions of them.

 

[69MnyPit]

Maybe you can find the original VIN on a build sheet or on the frame. You need a mirror and it's somewhere near the rear left wheel, but I don't have anything more specific than that.

I'll check that the next time I'm gonna get dirty. Just poking a light in there, I didn't see anthing. Thanks, Gary

 

[69MnyPit]

The mylar sticker on the door is a California state-issued VIN; those are normally issued for theft-recovery cars where the car has been stripped, including the VIN plate. That's now the official/legal VIN plate for the car. The original VIN (assuming it's the original frame) is stamped on the top horizontal surface of the driver's side frame rail directly above the rear shock upper attaching bracket. A good cleaning of that area and a small mirror will allow you to read it. The engine is a replacement 350.

I "gently" peeled off the sticker so I can properly strip all the million coats of paint. It's practically illegible. I'll have to check if Texas can give me a new one. Thanks again, Gary