Engine Serial #'s

[Dave Ward]

Can anyone out there please verify if this serial number is a legitimate Corvette number. It is a 350 engine with 2-bolt mains reportedly from the 1972 vehicle I am working on. Ser # 13S411501. Other number stamped into the block is V0103CLA. Is this an original Corvette engine? We are planning on restoring the car, but the motor was separate from the vehicle when purchased.

Please email reply. Thanks.

[Art A.]

Re: Engine Serial #'s

David, To start with a 1972 Ser # should have 13 digits so the one you gave does not compute for a 72.

CLA code is a 1973 350ci, 190 hp, auto.

Art

[Kevin Whiteley]

Re: Engine Serial #'s

According to the numbers provided, the engine appears to come from a 1973 (3S) 350/190hp Corvette with automatic transmission (CLA). The engine was assembled at Flint on January 3rd (V0103), which correspondes nicely to the provided VIN (11501). The ending VIN for Dec 72 is 10679 and for Jan 73 is 13600.

If the engine came out of your 72, then it is the incorrect engine, as the info you provided is for the 73 model year. The fifth digit of your VIN will tell you which engine configuration originally came with the vehicle.

For 72, the fifth digit of the VIN should be either a K (350/200hp), an L (350/255hp), or a W (454/270hp)

For 73, the fifth digit of the VIN should be either a J (350/190hp), a T (350/250hp), or a Z (454/275hp).

[Harmon C.]

Re: Engine Serial #'s

The 13S411501 on the cylinder case is the VIN derivative and is from a Jan.73 Corvette as others said. Your VIN. under the windshield should not match the cylinder case VIN derivative if you have a 72 Corvette. Lyle

[Dave Ward]

Re: Engine Serial #'s

Thank you all for your responses. Yes, the car is a 1973 model year but the owner wants to restore it to a 71 or 72 for some reason - as I'm just the mechanic tearing down the engine and rebuilding it, I don't really know that much about the rest of the car. The owner has four other cars - a 1981, 1991, 1976, and a 1967 that he is looking at buying right now. We are in Kimberley, BC, Canada.




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[Jack H.]

Re: Engine Serial #'s

MANY things will change trying to execute a '73 -> '72/71 'conversion'. Plus, Stateside, such violates many laws (tampering with VIN & factory original 'numbers' stamped here/there). Think I'd advise the customer the 'right' way to do the 'conversion' is to sell the '73 and replace it with a bona fide '71/72....

[Mike Cobine]

Re: Engine Serial #'s - Forget it

I agree with Jack. You have a lot to change and lots of hassles if you do.

You have lots of parts you have to buy, raising the cost far above a normal restoration.

When you get done, you will still have a car that is legally a '73, unless you change the VIN. Legally, you could be in for some hassles if you try changing the VIN.

If you judge the car or try to sell the car, the '73 VIN will be a giveaway that this is NOT a '72 and so everything is basically wrong. Selling it won't be fun because the price will be much lower than a restored '73.

If you do sell it, you run the risk of someone suing you, thinking they bought a '72 when it was really a '73.

In the '70s, people updated '68 to '72s to look like '73s, but no one backdated a car.

Digging a hole in the back yard, throwing money in it, and setting it on fire would be wiser than this proposal. Sell the '73 and buy the '71 or '72 he wants. Right now is a good time as most '71 and '72s are priced somewhat low.

[Dave Ward]

Re: Engine Serial #'s - Forget it

Thanks guys for your comments. I really can't speak for the owner - I'm just the mechanic that was selected to rebuild the engine. The owner has said something about chrome bumpers front and rear in 71 and that's what he wants..................
Engine block and heads went to the machine shop today - needs a rebore, pistons, new valves, seats, guides, etc., etc. Crank was OK - just needs a polishing. Cam was worn - putting in a slightly bigger one.
I was quite surprised when I pulled it apart. The cylinders poured stinky old water on the floor when the old broken plugs were removed. The pistons were siezed to the cylinders, but after a bit of work, I managed to break everything free and was able to hammer them out after pulling the crank.
I agree fully with your comments about reverting the car to an earlier model year. Doesn't sound like a good idea myself. I'll let you know the final decision.

http://www.bcsledhead.com

[Edward McComas]

Re: Engine Serial #'s - Forget it

Are you talking about just modifying the nose of the 73 to accept a 68-72 front bumper? That is a bit of work, but doable. I have also been real interested in a conversion like this. I like the fact that 73s did away with the vacuum operated wiper door mechanism, and I like the fender openings behind the front wheels on 73s, but I really wish they had a chrome bumper on the front.

[Jack H.]

There are those....

who REALLY like the one-year only look of the '73 with it's chrome rear bumpers and the absense of same on the front. Compare the number of '73 Corvettes we see on the judging field to the number of '74 cars (no chrome bumpers front or rear). Heck, I had an NOS '74 owner's manual with original tear out that I carried around with me to various Regional and National meets looking for a good home and FAILED to find a single '74. Just this week I stumbled across a legitimate '74 owner here on the Discussion Board and made him a gift of owner's manual....

[Mike Cobine]

Re: There are those....

Right on, Jack. Many forget in the rush to restore that once many midyears were sans front bumpers to get that clean Stingray look or race car look. When the '68 came out, it wasn't long before those owners were taking the bumper off and smoothing out the front also. Then Chevy did it with the plastic front bumper in '73. The '73 is the best of both, a bit of custom look, with the old Corvette tail.

[Warren F.]

Re: There are those....

The '73 was Shinoda's favorite style among the shark years!