Hoping for some direction!! I have a Buick 350ci in my 70 Skylark but according to the tag it came out of the factory with an inline 6. So somewhere along the line the 6 banger was replaced with a V8, now my problem, Im looking for a top gasket set for this motor and everybody asks me for the casting no. I do have a number that I found above where the gearbox and engine meet. 1382201 and this number doesnt seem to make any sense to anybody. Where are the numbers on the different year models?
Your car is similar to mine, which is a '71. Base car with a few options. The trim tag & VIN tag both denote it as a 43337 car. This translates into 4=Buick,33='70-71 Skylark, 37=2 dr. coupe, no post. Base engine on this car was an I-6. Dealer that ordered it for the sales lot chose an optional 350-2V, AC & a few other goodies. Take a few minutes & look at the engine in a couple places: 1: LH side block deck- flat spot visible where the head meets the block surface. In between cylinders #1 & #3 you may find a two letter stamping with possibly three numbers after them. For '70 they will be SO,SB or SP. 350 was available at advertised 230,285 & 315 H.P.. 2: Remove the power steering pump & mounting brackets. On the face of the block, just below the head you might see the S/N of the engine. It will start with a 4=Buick, 0=1970, N?= code for build plant & then six numbers. The last 6 digits will agree with the last 6 on the VIN plate in the windshield should this be the original engine to the car. Example: My VIN is 433371Z109991, S/N on the block is 41Z109991. Trans. will also be numbered this method.
350 5.7 1968-1971 Buick 1382201 Before the 70 model the oiling for the valve train was different so you are going to need the two letter code to narrow the year down even more.
