Where are the real numbers?

[1968GS400]

OK here's the deal in some books I have seen they state that the engine serial number for 1968 GS 400's are stamped between the cylinders on the drivers side of the motor, and for 350’s it is stamped on the drivers side front of the block. I don’t have any numbers between the exhaust ports on the driver’s side but DO have the numbers stamped on the front of the block and they DO match the VIN???? The VIN and cowl tag all match the car. So what’s up with the numbers on the block did they at some point change and start stamping all the numbers on the front of the motor regardless of weather or not it was a smallblock or bigblock???? :Do No:

[Marco]

What is the plant code in the VIN?

[1968GS400]

VIN # 446378K100749:TU:

[Marco]

I've known Freemont CA (Code 'Z') to stamp the VINs on the front of the block.

I guess we can add Leeds MO to the list.

All Flint cars I've seen were stamped between plugs #1 and #3.

[Dan Healey]

When you say all Flint, did you really mean all 70 and before?:Do No: My 71 is in the front.:TU:

[1968GS400]

Hey thanks Marco!! I just went and bought a 69 GS 350 4spd car in Tenn. that had been sitting in a barn for 20 years (no kidding) and the number stamped on the front of the block is in the same place as mine but at a different angel (vertical vs. Horizontal ) and if I am not mistaken that plant was “H”. But there are no numbers of any kind between the exhaust ports on my block…. for a minute there I thought I had a smallblock!! :Dou:

[1968GS400]

Dan, I think that after 69 or some time durring they started putting all the numbers on the front of the block. :Do No:

[Marco]

Just keep in mind this was stamped by people, some newbies, some experienced.

Hopefully you'll find something in the 'known' stamping areas :)

My VIN is stamped between #1 and #3 (an 11D car from flint)

[1968GS400]

Marco,
Where else can I look for conformation? And thanks!!:beer

[Rixster]

David,

Don't feel alone. My 69 GS400 has the # stamped exactly where yours is. I was getting worried because of what the chassis manual says, and I could not find it. I was starting to think the block had been decked.

Marco,

You may be right about the Freemont plants stamping the front of the block. Mine is a 10A from Freemont!:TU:

[67buick]

Well, I have searched to the end of the Internet and back but I can't find an answer to my problem. I have a 1972 GS 455 and can't find the engine serial number. Here's what I have. VIN 4G37U2Z12975. Transmission serial number 42712695, may be 42Z12695, it's stamped kind of crooked. Yellow trans tag BS. Engine block casting number 1241735. Carb number 7042240. On the head surface between the #5 and #7 plugs is stamped WF. There are no other numbers in that location, not even a date. This indicates to me that the block hasn't been decked. There is nothing stamped on the head surface between the #1 and #3, #2 and #4, or #6 and #8 plugs. There is nothing stamped on the milled surface on the front of the left cylinder bank of the block under the power steering pump bracket. There are no exhaust gaskets between the exhaust manifolds and the heads which probably means that the heads haven't been off.
I have a few questions. Were the transmission serial number and the engine serial number stamped at the same time, after they were bolted together? If so, it seems that there would be an engine serial somewhere. Are there any alternative engine serial number locations that I haven't mentioned? Where is the block casting date located? I realize that Buick wasn't building museum pieces but since there is a production code and a transmission serial, surely there should be an engine serial too.
It looks to me like the engine has never been out of the car, it has all the right hardware in all the right places.
Thanks in advance. I know that someone out there knows this. Someone with a great big ol' brain.
Mark

[Dan Healey]

Ok, I'll stop singing that tune. :Dou: Your vin should be stamped on the front face of the block (assuming the engine is in the car, this means the surface FACES the radiator). On either the drivers side, or possibly the passenger side of the front of the block. You may have to move the pwr ster pump, or the water pump on the pass side. You will also have to strip the paint and grim, because they are not easy to see. :Smarty:

I have a pict of the drivers side location, send me an email and I'll send it to you along with the casting date location of the block (which is located on the front of the block also, but MUST be viewed from above because it is located on the 1-2" lip that the timing cover mounts too on the pass side).

dhealey@cmclugs.com

:TU: And I will add, just in case the vin derivative on the block does NOT match exactly, does NOT mean that this engine was NOT factory installed. Yes, the factory did mix some up. :spank:

[Marco]

Ok, I'll stop singing that tune. :Dou: Your vin should be stamped on the front face of the block (assuming the engine is in the car, this means the surface FACES the radiator). On either the drivers side, or possibly the passenger side of the front of the block. You may have to move the pwr ster pump, or the water pump on the pass side. You will also have to strip the paint and grim, because they are not easy to see. :Smarty: ...

I agree - look in all known places.

Here (http://www.stage1registry.com/stage1info.html#E1) are some places to start looking