Vin Look up

[ronin8181]

i was wondering if there is any way to tell on the car Vin to see if it would tell you if it was a 427 big block car... Motor and trans are gone

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

There's nothing in the VIN prior to 1972 that would indicate engine option. You need to do some forensics- is there a tank sticker?

 

[Antz81]

Could be wrong here, but didn't the 350 and 427 have a different hood?
Of course the hood could have been changed over the years anyway. so this wouldn't be the most conclusive check.

 

[ronin8181]

Could be wrong here, but didn't the 350 and 427 have a different hood?
Of course the hood could have been changed over the years anyway. so this wouldn't be the most conclusive check.

Yes the 427 had a different hood.. and it has a big block hood

 

[ronin8181]

There's nothing in the VIN prior to 1972 that would indicate engine option. You need to do some forensics- is there a tank sticker?

The car is missing motor trans and Tank

 

[Antz81]

The car is missing motor trans and Tank

That will make things a bit difficult. The only ways I know of to confirm the motor size would be to see a copy of the dealer sticker or buildsheet(one was often found on top of the fuel tank). The last 6 digits of the vin were stamped onto the engine id. So if you could get some photos of this you could track it down. If none of this info is available then i'm not sure it can be done.

 

[kpic]

You can try gmvindecoder.net For some reason it isn't loading so good luck

For late models a copy of your build sheet can be purchased from the Corvette Museum.

"Your Corvette Collection just isn’t complete without a copy of your build sheet and a reproduction window sticker! The National Corvette Museum offers build sheets and window stickers for any Corvette assembled in Bowling Green since the GM Plant opened in 1981. Notice: we are missing the following build sheets for 1982 - VIN numbers 109001 thru 117800, 118201 thru 118400, 119201 thru 119800."

https://store.corvettemuseum.com/services/buildsheet.asp

They are $35 for members and $45 for non-members.

 

[6880 Mike]

...didn't the 350 and 427 have a different hood?...

Anybody can swap a hood. The OP asked about determing engine from the VIN. The is no engine or option information in the earlier VINs. As Mike suggested, there are clues you could look for, but everything big block was optional equipment and any or all of the option package could have been added by a previous owner in the past. Original documentation with the car is the best source for determing how the car left the assembly plant.

1974 was the last year for the big block. I am not aware of any existing source which can verify options until the 1977 model year. The NCM has records only for some of the Bowling Green cars. They have no records of St. Louis production.

 

[kpic]

here ya go: https://service.gm.com/dealerworld/vincards/

Example a S1210LA = built in St Louis 12th month 10th day RPO-L36 (427) and it would be a 3 or 4 speed transmission. A LC would be the automatic.

The problem is the decoder states "Only basic designations shown." What that means is if the car was (by the wildest stretch of imagination" a RPO-L88, the decoder won't tell you.

 

[Bob Chadwick]

So where is the engine, transmission and gas tank? Does he have the originals to put back in the car. Don't the trans and engine have the VIN stamped on them matching the engine and trans to the car?

 

[kpic]

Fed required a partial VIN to be stamped on the block from 1/1/68 on.

From my top secret stash of bookmarks: Engine Stamping Numbers

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

here ya go: https://service.gm.com/dealerworld/vincards/

Example a S1210LA = built in St Louis 12th month 10th day RPO-L36 (427) and it would be a 3 or 4 speed transmission. A LC would be the automatic.

The problem is the decoder states "Only basic designations shown." What that means is if the car was (by the wildest stretch of imagination" a RPO-L88, the decoder won't tell you.

The codes you quoted are stamped on the engine itself, not on the car. The engine is long gone in the OP's car.

 

[kpic]

I did some searching and your are correct, sorry I wanted to help.

Edit:
A bud is into them as I goofed, I figured I owed a phone call. Almost anything can and could be changed to sell for more.

IF original, a BB has a rear sway bar. Although it is not always true, a BB has an 80# oil pressure gauge and a SB has a 60#, but this is not always true. BB had 550# front springs. SB had aluminum radiators and BB had copper. different tach redlines (5600 for a BB, he thinks he remembers). Radiator support mount is longer, close to 28" again from memory. Cast caps on diff yokes rather than u-bolts. Larger half shafts.

There is more, however, he talks a lot faster than I can write.

Just remember it is an old car. My 66 had a copper radiator because I could not afford to replace it with an aluminum.

 

[ronin8181]

So where is the engine, transmission and gas tank? Does he have the originals to put back in the car. Don't the trans and engine have the VIN stamped on them matching the engine and trans to the car?

Seller told me the motor and trans were taking out 15 years ago he was asking $6500 for the car i offered $4500. the car will need about $25K to $30 k of work if it was a big block car I would buy it now... but with out the motor and trans to Verify the correct engine code its just a plan 69 stingray Vette

 

[Bob Chadwick]

but with out the motor and trans to Verify the correct engine code its just a plan 69 stingray Vette

That is not numbers matching and without that, will be unlikely to recoup the kind of money you are looking to put into it.

 

[ronin8181]

That is not numbers matching and without that, will be unlikely to recoup the kind of money you are looking to put into it.

I know thats why i'm passing on the deal

 

[6880 Mike]

...Fed required a partial VIN to be stamped on the block from 1/1/68 on...

Corvette blocks were being stamped at the engine plant and the assembly plant a long time before 1/1/68.

My advice: skip the decoder thing. It might be useful for generic GM makes, but Corvette codes are very well known and readily available. Purchase a copy of The Corvette BlackBook.

 

[kpic]

When I was a teenager, I worked in a junk yard.

I'll do that, thanks. If you don't have it already, All Corvettes are red" is a great read. I've worked in power train design (engine, transmissions, diffs and T-cases commercial diesel, not pass car) since 1970. Although I already knew all corporations are political; the C5 design program took it to new heights.

 

[Otter]

I know thats why i'm passing on the deal

I know of a 73 (454), one owner since Dec 72. 58k miles if you're interested, believe it's priced 25 to 30k.

 

[Nut]

Wouldn't the front suspension (springs, shocks) be larger to handle the heavier big block weight?