Thread: 1969 350 chevy Vin #s on block

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I just had the inspector out to the house yesterday to get my title for my 32 ford replica, and she said that Vin #s were missing from the block,but the ID stampings are there. I got the 350 chevy out of a truck that I know was the original motor and never messed with. Is it possible that they never stamped the vin on the blocks in 1969, and how do I prove this.

Thanks
Angelo

GM stamped the VIN on the block of a Chevy small block starting in 1962 for some engines and all engine blocks since 1968. Replacement blocks did not have the VIN for obvious reasons. Perhaps truck blocks were not stamped until later....not sure how to find out.

There is a one, two or three letter code that identifies the installed configuration, a code for the engine plant, and a date code.
On October 1, 1996, GM ceased the stamping and replaced it with a bar code label on the oil pan

Interesting. I'm scheduled to have my Willys inspected in 3 weeks. My block has a number that looks like a VIN number so I think I'm ok. the hardest part is all the documentation you need for a kit car license. It probably would not be a bad idea to purchase 'mule' stuff from the bone yard just for the numbers. You can then change it after you have your tags.

Some items don't have numbers. My 9 inch Ford does not have a single number anywhere on it other than casting marks on the pig. The turbo 350 doesen't either. Fortunately I have paper work for them.

If you have a block decked very much the numbers get machined off. It would be best to record them and re-stamp them on after the machine work.

The inspector really didn't look to much at the paper work(even though I have every little receipt ). She just wanted to see the Vin #s on the trans and the engine,and took pictures of them too.I know that the motor came out of a truck and the serial# s jive out to the year.

What is the letter code on the block pad? i will look it up for you.

mike

the whole serial # is v1105wi. I have looked it up on Mortec and got all the info on the block but mortec doesn't say anything about when vin numbers were stamped.

The codes WH, WI, WJ, and WK are interesting ones since they were all used on three different engine sizes:
1965 283 ci
1966 283 ci
1967 283 ci
1968 307 ci
1969 350 ci

All were in trucks...however, the 1969 WI code shows to be used in P bodies only in 3/4 ton and 1 ton versions, 350 ci and 255 hp with single 4bbl carb and manual transmission (LS-9 engine option). A "P" body is a step van or an RV chassis.

A WJ code in 1969 was the same LS-9 motor with a powerglide in a Series 10, 20, 30 with a C body (2 wheel drive).

A WK code in 1969 is the same LS-9 motor with a turbo 400 also in a 10, 20, or 30 series with two wheel drive.

Originally Posted by 32piro

I just had the inspector out to the house yesterday to get my title for my 32 ford replica, and she said that Vin #s were missing from the block,but the ID stampings are there. I got the 350 chevy out of a truck that I know was the original motor and never messed with. Is it possible that they never stamped the vin on the blocks in 1969, and how do I prove this.

Thanks
Angelo

I'm a little confused by this. The V.I.N. is the vehicle identification number and will be stamped or attached to the body or driver's door on late model vehicles. Some Fords will also have it stamped into the rail at the top of the firewall in the engine compartment. There is no V.I.N. on the motor, trans or differential. On a small block Chevy, there is a casting number on the back of the block, driver's side at the bellhousing mating surface and a stamped code number on the block deck, passenger side front. As bentwings said, this number will be missing if the block has ever been decked.

Like I said, either I'm confused or the inspector doesn't have a clue how to do her job.

Tech, apparently some Small Blocks had the VIN or portion of the VIN
stamped at one of three locations.....my book claims such, the Mortec site says so, etc. I have never paid enough attention to anything but the pad in front of the passenger head to notice.

Mortec site says that "In later years, parts of the Vehicle Identification Number (V.I.N.) were also added before or after the Engine Assembly Date/Suffix code. In that case you might see "T0422TR 1123456789" stamped into the pad on the front passenger side of the block. Sometimes the engine V.I.N. was stamped into a different area of the block on the flange edge of the rear of the block, near the bellhousing mating surface. Sometimes the stamping is found above the timing cover mating surface on the front of the block."

Again, I have never paid attention so I cannot deny such....I do remember that Muncies had some derivative of the VIN also.

mike in tucson

Yes nastyz28.com shows the vin stamped before the serial # at a slight angle.In a smaller stamp.

Here is a picture of it