Hey guys, I'm new to this board, and have taken the time over the last few to familiarize myself with the basics. I have a 1970 Buick LeSabre 2 door hardtop. It has seen its fair share of abuse and love over the years, and I have put way more into it than I can ever get back (monetarily that is). My question is this... I don't think that I have a stock motor (actually, a few guys who have helped me work on her don't believe it to be a stock block). Is there any way of checking this out besides looking for the VIN? Also, where on the block is the VIN, so I can check that? Thanks!
The VIN on a 70 (assuming that's you what you have) should be stamped on the drivers (LH) side of the deck surface, visible between the #1 and #3 exhaust outlets. Clean it with some lacquer thinner and a rag. This number will match the VIN of your car if it's the original block. Also you should check on the same area between the #5 and #7 exhaust outlets for the engine code. These numbers are horsepower and year specific. The list of those codes is readily available from several sources. Of course if the engine has been out and decked, all the numbers will be gone. Good luck
I checked and couldn't make anything out. Is there a better angle to be checking from? Do the headers need to be off? I did notice on the back of the motor that it is stamped 350 so that answers that question. According to wikipedia "A new option for 1970 was a low-compression regular-fuel version of the 350 four-barrel rated at 285 horsepower and the high-compression premium fuel 350 four-barrel V8 was reworked with horsepower upped to 315 on a 10.25 to 1 compression ratio." I'm assuming that it's one of those two motors, leaning towards the latter due to seat of the pants hp rating. I'll do more detective work and pass it on...
