Serial number mystery

[pontchief]

Serial number mystery

The engine code on my 76 Buick Electra Limited, who is built in Flint, has engine code Y.
And as far as I can find out, there wasn’t any engine code Y in 76.
The serial number is 4X39Y6H448851
The reason that I observed this, is that the American Car club of Norway are helping me with the specifications, that the state needs to know about the car, to get me a Norwegian title.

[Marco]

Serial number mystery

The engine code on my 76 Buick Electra Limited, who is built in Flint, has engine code Y.
And as far as I can find out, there wasn’t any engine code Y in 76.
The serial number is 4X39Y6H448851
The reason that I observed this, is that the American Car club of Norway are helping me with the specifications, that the state needs to know about the car, to get me a Norwegian title.

Possibly a '301 V8 4bl' according to this website...http://www.buickgod.com/article/3446.html

[pontchief]

On this list, both 455cid and 301cid has engine code Y.
But in my 76 Buick shop manual it says that 455 is engine code T.
And I think it's very strange that they use the same letter for 2 different engines.



Vehicle Identification Number - VIN

5th = Engine Code
C - 231ci v6 2bl Carb
Y - 301 V8 4bl
U - 305 V8
H - 350 V8
L - 350ci V8
R - 350ci V8
J - 350ci V8
K - 403ci v8
Y - 455ci V8


From my shop manual.
So maybe the answer is that the shop manual is not correct.

[Marco]

Sorry dude - I tried to help.

Maybe a 1976 Buick chassis manual has the information you seek?

[pontchief]

Sorry dude - I tried to help.

Maybe a 1976 Buick chassis manual has the information you seek?

Thanks for the input. :TU:

I suppose the info from the website you linked to have the correct numbers/letters.

Maybe some of the 74-76 Electra guys on this board have an explanation about this.

[darrenkp]

I would trust your shop manual more than some website with no sources listed. GM knew what their coding was and I've yet to find a mistake in one of their manuals, and believe me, I've tried.

I also don't recall the 301 (a Pontiac engine) being available in '76. And if it was, I'm pretty certain it wouldn't have come in the Electra. I'm pretty sure they still came standard with the 455 at that time. This is supported by your shop manual.

You are also correct in your conclusion that GM would not have used the same code for two different engines, at least in the same model year. My guess is that this table has combined codes from different years.

[pontchief]

Hi
This 76 Electra on eBay has also and Y engine code in the serial number, same as me.
Link (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Buick-Buick-1976-Buick-Limited_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6144QQitemZ4612 983661QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW)
The American car club of Norway has tons of literature, but they couldn’t figure why I have a Y and should have a T in the serial number, according to Buick literature.

[yuk]

i sent you a picture through my peoplepc account. it is the page from my 1974 service manual that explains 1974 VIN plates.
the only major difference it might have from a 76 big car code is, i think in 74 all electras had 455 engines.

yuk

[pontchief]

i sent you a picture through my peoplepc account. it is the page from my 1974 service manual that explains 1974 VIN plates.
the only major difference it might have from a 76 big car code is, i think in 74 all electras had 455 engines.

yuk

Hi YUK
The only Buick engine codes in my service manual for 76 are C-H-F-J and T for 455cid.

So if the other Buick Electra's (With 455cid) owners on this board have a Y engine code in their serial number, I suppose it have to be misprint in the Buick literature.

[75Riv]

In '75 the 455 code for Buick (division code 4) was "T" and in 76 "Y":

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/73Riv/div/76VIN.jpg

[75Riv]

In '75 the 455 code for Buick (division code 4) was "T" and in 76 "Y":

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/73Riv/div/76VIN.jpg


http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b39/RivieraForum/Rob%201/diversen/76VIN1.jpg

[Bad Boattail]

Nobody's yet been able to copy it

Looking at your scans, I suppose you're right...... :laugh:

[Bad Boattail]

On this list, both 455cid and 301cid has engine code Y.


Vehicle Identification Number - VIN

5th = Engine Code
C - 231ci v6 2bl Carb
Y - 301 V8 4bl
U - 305 V8
H - 350 V8
L - 350ci V8
R - 350ci V8
J - 350ci V8
K - 403ci v8
Y - 455ci V8


But in my 76 Buick shop manual it says that 455 is engine code T.
And I think it's very strange that they use the same letter for 2 different engines.

That's a strange list, because when the 301 Pontiac V8 was available,
the 455 was already gone (model year 1977)
So it looks more like a list for several model years ?



Why don't you just look for the engine code on the engine ?

For model year 1976:

SA, SB for the 455
PR, PS, PT, PU for the 350

A quick count of the valve cover bolts will learn you if it's a 350 or a 455.
I don't see any engine photos on your website ?

[pontchief]

In '75 the 455 code for Buick (division code 4) was "T" and in 76 "Y":

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/73Riv/div/76VIN.jpg


http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b39/RivieraForum/Rob%201/diversen/76VIN1.jpg
Hi
What book have you copied this article from? It looks like that’s the correct numbers.

That's a strange list, because when the 301 Pontiac V8 was available,
the 455 was already gone (model year 1977)
So it looks more like a list for several model years ?



Why don't you just look for the engine code on the engine ?

For model year 1976:

SA, SB for the 455
PR, PS, PT, PU for the 350

A quick count of the valve cover bolts will learn you if it's a 350 or a 455.
I don't see any engine photos on your website ?
Hi
I know I have 455cid engine in the Buick and there are not any pictures of the engine on my website, because it really needs some cosmetic work and its nothing and it’s not that good looking. :(
But I am going to put on new valve seals on it and paint the engine, when I have time for it. I also have a new AC compressor I have to put on.
The clutch on the original one got on fire :af: during my USA trip.
But I have to get my 57 Olds done,before I start working on the Buick.

So I suppose the conclusion about this “mystery”, is that the engine codes in my service manual is not correct or incomplete.

Have a great weekend everybody. :TU:

This is the only picture I have of the engine compartment; it was at eBay when I bought the car.