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more info on drive train decoding


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I have a 70 with a BB and a 4spd I was told it came original with Big Block, I do believe the 4 speed is org. I know on camaros you can tell org. BB by the heater core tubes how they turn away from the valve cover. Anyone know how I can decifer my 1970,Monte. Thanks JJ

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JJ the best way would be to find the VIN Stamping on the engine block. Here's a pic from a thread that was on the board last week. It will show you where to look. It is harder to see if the entire engine is together (i belive the alternator? is in the way) However it is visable, just have a GOOD flashlight and alot of paper towels. Mine was covered in about 1/2 of 30 grime that took the appraiser who found it about a 1/2 hour to get to. The cars vin # was stamped by hand during assembly but as this one is, could be removed if the block was decked.

There are also castings on the block but that would just verify that the time line for the engine is correct for your car. (engine wasn't made after the car for example)

But if you find the stamp its pretty much a sure thing ... but beware it is possible to have the VIN # restamped for the right amount of money.

Another great way is to find an original Build Sheet in the car (seats are common) that will tell you EVERYTHIG about the car. Good Luck

 

http://www.firstgenmc.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000520.html

MarchieB

 

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<IMG SRC=\"http://membe...;>

 

 

 

1972 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 402 Custom

 

[This message has been edited by MarchieB (edited 01-17-2003).]

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Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by MarchieB:
JJ the best way would be to find the VIN Stamping on the engine block. Here's a pic from a thread that was on the board last week. It will show you where to look. It is harder to see if the entire engine is together (i belive the alternator? is in the way) However it is visable, just have a GOOD flashlight and alot of paper towels. Mine was covered in about 1/2 of 30 grime that took the appraiser who found it about a 1/2 hour to get to. The cars vin # was stamped by hand during assembly but as this one is, could be removed if the block was decked.
There are also castings on the block but that would just verify that the time line for the engine is correct for your car. (engine wasn't made after the car for example)
But if you find the stamp its pretty much a sure thing ... but beware it is possible to have the VIN # restamped for the right amount of money.
Another great way is to find an original Build Sheet in the car (seats are common) that will tell you EVERYTHIG about the car. Good Luck

http://www.firstgenmc.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000520.html
MarchieB

</font>
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Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by MarchieB:
JJ the best way would be to find the VIN Stamping on the engine block. Here's a pic from a thread that was on the board last week. It will show you where to look. It is harder to see if the entire engine is together (i belive the alternator? is in the way) However it is visable, just have a GOOD flashlight and alot of paper towels. Mine was covered in about 1/2 of 30 grime that took the appraiser who found it about a 1/2 hour to get to. The cars vin # was stamped by hand during assembly but as this one is, could be removed if the block was decked.
There are also castings on the block but that would just verify that the time line for the engine is correct for your car. (engine wasn't made after the car for example)
But if you find the stamp its pretty much a sure thing ... but beware it is possible to have the VIN # restamped for the right amount of money.
Another great way is to find an original Build Sheet in the car (seats are common) that will tell you EVERYTHIG about the car. Good Luck

http://www.firstgenmc.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000520.html
MarchieB

</font>

Thanks for the info, but I already ran the eng. code its a 65 to 68 325 hp 396. thats why I wanted to know if there was any way to check with any kind of stamp on the body what motor it should have. I bought the car from a widow, she knows nothing about the car. I have had it 8 yrs. 77k org. mi. real nice for WI. car. I have not looked for the build sheets, had mice at one time before I got the car, they may be gone. Thanks again JJ
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Ok I'm kind of confused what exactly are you trying to decode?

You want to know if the engine in the car is the original factory engine?

 

[This message has been edited by MarchieB (edited 01-18-2003).]

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jj, sounds like the question is did my monte come originally with a big block.if you do not have the build sheet or protecto plate, i think your out of luck.you could check to see if the engine codes came with your monte , but i guess you already know that answer. gene

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JJ, On some cars it is possible to find out the correct engine for the car by de-coding the VIN on the dash. One of the digits in the VIN is the engine code. I'm not sure if that's true for your Monte. I'll do some reserch. Later, Daryl

 

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Smith Racing Web Site

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What about the lower control arms "oval bushing = SB round = BB".

Perhaps that's not a proven fact.

Bruce

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Thanks for all the replys, I ran my vin on the dash with your web site tech section. I found that 70 does not have eng, spec in the code. So I was wondering if there was any other way to verify it being a true big block. Marchie said with the build sheets it is probably the only way. I ran the numbers on the block a month or so ago, it is not the the org. motor. So now im on my way out the door to to pull seats and try to find a build sheet. 5 below zero out but now I gotta know. It is in a shed but not heated BRRRR. Is there a way to contact GM with my vin and they can tell me the orginal build data. Thanks for the help guys sorry about any confusion. JJ

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Ok 1.38.0.BB4spd, now I have a better understanding. If the VIN # on the engine doesn't match the dash VIN # then it gets harder. As Daryl stated the engine code wasn't added to the VIN # untill '72.

Also contacting GM won't help either, unless your car was bulit in good ole CANADA. (7th digit in VIN needs to be a 1 not a letter) Gm USA did not keep records of each specific car and will only send you a general package for the year of production.

GM Oshawa, CANADA did and can give owners copies with info of their actual car.

 

Also when you say Big Block there are two the 402, LS3, 330 hp Turbo-Jet 400 V-8 engine, and the 454.

Now if you were told it can original with a BB and it was a 454 then it would have to be an SS. Check this page to see if you have any of the 454 options ... It could be possible. http://www.firstgenmc.com/tech/ss454.htm

 

Otherwise I don't know (but i'm positive there are many here who do) as to how to tell if your engine is a BB. There are casting numbers on the engine ... not sure where or what the numbers are.

Maybe someone else here can enlighten,

MarchieB

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