Help Decode Build date 1971 455

[1971gsx]

Can someone help me decode the build date "2b3" for this 1971 455. I think the b=February and 3= 3rd day of the month, but what does the 2 mean?
Thanks,
Marc

http://images.andale.com/f2/130/100/7691819/1056810902859_BlockTR.jpg

[Dan Healey]

But if it is: "2" Year, "b" for the Month, "3" 3rd day, or vice versa. I thought I read somewhere the this was a shift code(so GM could trace a problem to a specific shift and/or worker).:Do No:

Not to mention, your vin is on the block, so we know it isn't a 72 or 73.:Smarty:

But you do bring up a great point, what in the world does the it stand for?????:Do No:

It is also strange that the "b" is not "B". I started looking at my 71, it starts with a "2b" also, but I cannot make out the last number or digit. It appears to be a lower case "i", but I'm only guessing. It certainly does NOT look like a number though.:confused:

[Marco]

Looks like 263 to me -

It represents the shift at Flint that assembled the motor. This code would cross-reference to the P-O-P.

Probably sometime in spring 1972 :)

[Mr Big]

Yes, Marco this number is the same on both my protect-o-plate and my block...

Doesn’t the"263" somehow relate to the Julian calendar?

[Mr Big]

Here is were to look...

[Marco]

Mr Big said:Yes, Marco this number is the same on both my protect-o-plate and my block...

Doesn’t the"263" somehow relate to the Julian calendar?

No, because many shifts worked in the same Julian day...and the model year doesn't start in January.

[1971gsx]

It is definitely a 1971 455 gs engine. I know the car and it's history. The mystery continues..................

[Marco]

1971gsx said:It is definitely a 1971 455 gs engine. I know the car and it's history. The mystery continues..................

Hey Marc -

What other mysteries are you trying to solve? Did you find the VIN on this block?

BTW - Are you coming to Englishtown at the end of this month?

[Dan Healey]

How could that possibly be? The P-O-P was made at the Fischer plant & placed in the glove box. Then the body was sent to the Flint final assembly plant, where the drive train was installed.:confused:

Glenn, I don't see a 263 on your code following the "SS". I do see a 293 following the "BB" though.:Do No:

Also, I have never seen a "6" look like that. And if it is a "6", then my last digit must be a "1" because it has the exact SAME little bar at the top, and cannot be mistaken for any other #. But I don't believe that is a six. The "2" & "3" are normal looking numbers, why make a six totally different?

Is the vin on the front of the block?

[Marco]

Dan Healey said:How could that possibly be? The P-O-P was made at the Fischer plant & placed in the glove box. Then the body was sent to the Flint final assembly plant, where the drive train was installed.:confused:

Glenn, I don't see a 263 on your code following the "SS". I do see a 293 following the "BB" though.:Do No:

Also, I have never seen a "6" look like that. And if it is a "6", then my last digit must be a "1" because it has the exact SAME little bar at the top, and cannot be mistaken for any other #. But I don't believe that is a "2six. The " & "3" are normal looking numbers, why make a six totally different?

Is the vin on the front of the block?

Dan -

Glenn's engine production code stamped on the P-O-P is 204, not 263. I would venture a guess and say Glenn's engine was assembled earlier in the model year than the motor in Marc's post. Glenn's car is a '12B' build date for the 1970 model year. I'm unsure of the build date on Marc's car in the 1971 model year. I believe mine (it's been a while and I don't have my documentation in front of me) is either 158 or 178 engine production code for an 11D car in the 1970 model year. Anyone have the Jan/Feb GS-X-Tra from 1997? Please look this up and and post it.

I don't believe Buick used the alphabetic character 'I' in any date codes due to the fact it can be misread as a '1'.

I agree with you Dan - your motor looks like a '1' as the last digit.

[Mr Big]

Hey Dan...

I don't know the how, when, or why but the exact SS and 204 shown on my protect-o-plate is also stamped on my original engine block...the Vin is there also.

Further, the BB and 293 is also stamped on the transmission tag...as is the Vin on the opposite side of the trans case...

This stamping of parts and plates must have been very difficult to keep up with, considering the number of cars built each day!

[Marco]

Mr Big said:Hey Dan...

I don't know the how, when, or why but the exact BB and 204 shown on my protect-o-plate is also stamped on my original engine block...the Vin is there also.

You mean 'SS and 204'. :pp

[Dan Healey]

Your engine is "SS" with "204"

---------------------------------------------------

Your trans is "BB" with "293":bglasses:


I also noticed your P-O-P is the two piece with smaller digits than later 70's and 71. GM must have changed during the middle of 70...


But to me, this thread belongs in the Paper trail....We are probably boring the heck out of some people.:Dou:

Glenn, can you get us a picture of the code and vin on the deck? I'd like to see it.:TU:

[Mr Big]

Typing to fast...I'll slow down next time:)

Your right guy's wrong forum..and don't want to highjack this thread...maybe someone can move this and we can get back to helping Marc.

I'll get a good picture of the block. (It's out of the car)

[MikeM]

Marc, apologies for another off topic reply.

I've been wanting to buy a digital camera. Would like to know what model you have that takes such sharp close up photos? Figure if I start a new thread you might not read it.

Thank you.

[Mr Big]

Ok guy's here are pictures of the block and transmission # from my 70 Stage 1. Maybe it will help others to document there cars.

First the Block...

[Mr Big]

The Trans Tag...

[Mr Big]

And for kicks here is the carb...

[Ken Mild]

Mr Big said:The Trans Tag...



Ahhhhh, the ever apparent "scrape marks" on the ID plate!

If I'd known I was going to maul my ID plate on my BA tranny with a scraper years ago I'd have used a solvent instead. :Dou:

[Mr Big]

Yep its ugly Ken...prolly why the stamped them as well...a little harder to damage...it was like this when I got it...

Thought about removing all the paint because it looks so crapy...

[Dan Healey]

:TU: Now we have more to figure out.:puzzled:

[Brad Conley]

Dan Healey said:How could that possibly be? The P-O-P was made at the Fischer plant & placed in the glove box. Then the body was sent to the Flint final assembly plant, where the drive train was installed.:confused:


Dan,

Fisher Body did not place the POP nor any other manuals in the car...Buick final assembly did. Get out your 1970 assembly manual, turn to page 1-4.1 and note at the bottom, where they are showing how to stamp the letters it states: "All characters to be embossed by assembly plants." Not Fisher Body, but Buick final assembly .

BTW, do you guys want to move this thread to The Paper Trail? I'll do it if you wish...

[Dan Healey]

:TU:

[Brad Conley]

Mr Big said:
Thought about removing all the paint because it looks so crapy...

Don't you dare! Crappy or not, do not remove what's left of the paint. You're better off with crappy original paint than none at all. JMHO.....

[Mr Big]

Your right Brad, thanks for the advice...

Something I've been wondering about for awhile... how do you guy's pull the quotes you want to respond to from another post? It seams to make the response much easier to follow...

[Nicholas Sloop]

Dan Healey said:Your engine is "SS" with "204"

---------------------------------------------------

But to me, this thread belongs in the Paper trail....We are probably boring the heck out of some people.:Dou:



I thought I WAS in The Paper Trail--Oh, I AM--it's already been moved. :)
I'm glued to my seat, where ever it is...

[Brad Conley]

Mr Big said:Your right Brad, thanks for the advice...

Something I've been wondering about for awhile... how do you guy's pull the quotes you want to respond to from another post? It seams to make the response much easier to follow...

Hit the "Quote" button at the bottom right of the post you wish to quote. You may then delete as much or as little of the quote as you wish.

HTH

[Nicholas Sloop]

[i]Marco said Anyone have the Jan/Feb GS-X-Tra from 1997? Please look this up and and post it.



I've got the Jan/Feb X-Tra, but I don't think it's gonna help any. There is a computer generated representation of a block code. It shows:
"SS 189 H
Key--
SS=70 stage 1
189=code #
H=engine"
I can scan and post if you think it will help
Nick

[Marco]

Nicholas Sloop said:I've got the Jan/Feb X-Tra, but I don't think it's gonna help any. There is a computer generated representation of a block code. It shows:
"SS 189 H
Key--
SS=70 stage 1
189=code #
H=engine"
I can scan and post if you think it will help
Nick

Thanks Nick! I was at work at the time and didn't have access to that information.

Yes, my motor code/production is SS 189 for a 11D car

Glenn's GS is SS 204 for a 12B car.

Also, thanks for responding to the P-O-P post :TU: This is why I asked for the P-O-P codes in the other post. I think it's time to make some sense out of these 'production codes' for both engines and transmissions.

[Nicholas Sloop]

So that's now YOUR car?..... I thought there was going to be a chart in there that would answer all our questions...
Makes sense now.

[Marco]

Nicholas Sloop said:So that's now YOUR car?..... I thought there was going to be a chart in there that would answer all our questions...
Makes sense now.

Yes, I purchased that car 5 years ago sight unseen :Brow: , with no documentation but I based my purchase on that article and the fact that it took 3rd place at the GS Nats in 1997. I figured at worst, I'd have a nicely restored BB convertible.

Glenn's car and mine are very close in build dates, VINs, and Fisher body #. That's why I was looking for the engine production code on mine - I couldn't remember it :Dou: :spank:

Unfortunately, no chart (to my knowledge) exists. These forums are the only way (at least that I can think of) to decipher this information.

Thanks again!