1. If you have recently registered with a gmail email address, you must contact me, as gmail will not forward our confirmation email to you. Contact me and jim@trishieldperformance.com to complete your registration.
    Dismiss Notice
  2. In and effort to reduce the spam on the site, several years ago I had went to a program where I manually approve each and every new registration. This approval gives you full access to the site, to pictures, and to post, among other things. To be able to enjoy the full potential of the board for you, you need to be fully registered.. and that's easy.. Just send an email to me at jim@trishieldperformance.com and I will verify your registration. This policy will remain in effect indefinitely, as it has completely eliminated the bad actors from our site, who would spam and hack it, once they gained access. Thanks JW
    Dismiss Notice
  3. The "Group Buy" for the 1967-68 Deluxe Steering wheel recasting is now officially "Open". Now is the time to start sending in the wheels. The latest date that the wheels must be received by Kochs is 31 March 2025 The cost for each wheel is $750. The only "up front cost" is your shipping the wheel. If you send in more than one wheel, each additional wheel will cost $700. Shipping and insurance to Kochs and return shipping will be extra. You will be contacted by Teresa to make payment for the wheel(s) and return shipping and insurance when your wheel(s) is complete. The shipping will be factored on your delivery address and insurance. I will be sending the contact information all of you have sent me to Teresa at Kochs. Send in your wheels, horn pad and hardware and paint color sample if applicable. Please include: First and Last Name Shipping Address Phone number email address V8Buick "Member Name" Wheel Color (SEE THE BOTTOM FOR WHEEL COLOR) Pease read the "shipping to Kochs" below. There are two addresses. One for USPS Mailing One for FedEx and UPS shipping You can use USPS/Mail, UPS or FedEx to send in your core. Use the appropriate address depending on what service you use to ship. If you use USPS/Mail ship to: Koch's P.O. Box 959 Acton, CA 93510 Attn: Teresa If you use UPS or FedEx ship to: Koch's 7650 Soledad Canyon Road Acton CA 93510 Attn: Teresa Kochs Contact: Teresa (661) 268-1341 customerservice@kochs.com Wheel Color If you wheel is Black, you can list that in your information you send in with your wheel. For colored wheels, please contact Teresa about specifics for wheel color if you do not send in a color sample to match. Please contact me if you have any questions. Thank you to everyone for your participation in making this a reality. And "Thank You" Jim Weise, for allowing and facilitating this project! Michael .................... to remove this notice, click the X in the upper RH corner of this message box
    Dismiss Notice

VIN and Engine Code confusion

Discussion in 'The "Paper Trail"' started by theitalianflip, Jul 30, 2018.

  1. theitalianflip

    theitalianflip 71 Buick GS

    I keep getting different information on some of this engine/VIN decoding stuff, and it's getting confusing.
    Basically, I want to verify that:

    1. My 71 is a real GS (43437 says it is)
    2. It has the original engine (serial code on block matches the VIN).
    3. What does the engine code mean? I read somewhere that this code means it had a 2bbl?
    4. Why doesn't the Serial Number on the body tag not match the VIN?

    Any help will be greatly appreciated and help me sleep at night.

    VIN: 434371Z122834
    Body Tag: 71-43437 Z 01375
    Engine Code: D/230?
    Engine Serial: 171Z122834?
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Jul 30, 2018
  2. flynbuick

    flynbuick Guest

    4 = Buick

    34 = GS (can be GS350 or GS 455)

    37 = 2 door coupe

    1 = 1971 model

    Z = Fremont California plant
     
  3. flynbuick

    flynbuick Guest

    67 = Burnished cinnamon body paint

    F = dark brown vinyl top (confirm this)
     
  4. thepartsman

    thepartsman Back Ordered Again ?

    D = '71 350-4bbl 260hp.
    230 = Assembly Date Code
    Engine serial number matches your VIN except for the "7" ?
    The 1st number if you look closer is a "4"
    4 = Buick
    7 = ?
    1 = 1971
    and the rest you know already.....plus what Jim posted.
     
  5. theitalianflip

    theitalianflip 71 Buick GS

    You guys are amazing, thanks a bunch, all of you!
     
  6. theitalianflip

    theitalianflip 71 Buick GS

    I thought the "7" was a "Z" and matches the Z as the location of the build?
     
  7. theitalianflip

    theitalianflip 71 Buick GS

    Just a little fun fact, I live in Newark, it's surrounded by the city of Fremont.
    I drive by the factory all the time (now Tesla), it's nice to bring the car back home where it was born.
     
  8. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Where are you getting "SD" from?. In 71, the engine code for a 350 4 bbl should be TB, not SD

    Here is the engine code location of my Framingham built 71 455. Notice the TR. Ive seen the codes partially obscured by the head gasket

    KIMG1581[1].JPG
     
  9. theitalianflip

    theitalianflip 71 Buick GS

    And this is why I'm confused.
    BTW, look at the picture I provided, it does say D/230 from what I can see.
     
  10. thepartsman

    thepartsman Back Ordered Again ?

    I don't see where the mention of "SD" is in any post. There is not an SD in '71. The S would represent 1970 and there is not a code D in '70.
    D = in 1971 the code for a 350-4bbl with 260hp.
    B = in 1971 is the code for a 350-4bbl also with 260hp
    Either was used according to Buick so your stamping code would either "TB" or "TD" and of course the "T" = 1971
    In January of 1970 Buick stated that "TD" was used in Skylarks,Sportwagons, LeSabres and GS models. In Sept. of 1970
    Buick stated that "TD" was LeSabre only.
    His VIN matches the stamping so if my old eyes are correct it's a match.
     
  11. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    It wasn't mentioned, but one of the pictures referenced it
     
  12. thepartsman

    thepartsman Back Ordered Again ?

    The pic referenced a "D" it looks like he has not scraped enough to find the "T".
    I do not see any reference of an "S" code in any post.
     
  13. theitalianflip

    theitalianflip 71 Buick GS

    Do you think it's necessary to try and find the S, or is it safe to assume that D/230 is correct for 4bbl 350-260hp?
     
  14. theitalianflip

    theitalianflip 71 Buick GS

    Also, what is the last 3 numbers of the Body tag mean? Should it be in the VIN?
    7-30-2018 2-48-25 PM.jpg
     
  15. thepartsman

    thepartsman Back Ordered Again ?

    Sir, your car has been identified as a 1971. Your VIN in 2 locations says it's a '71. If you scrape you will or will not find the "T". BUT you will not find an "S".
    There is no assume its a 350-4bbl. In 1971 the "D" = 350-4bbl 260hp.
    There is not a "D" code in 1970.
    The complete stamp code would read "T D" = a 1971 350-4bbl 260hp.
    Other than this I do not know what else to tell you.
     
  16. theitalianflip

    theitalianflip 71 Buick GS

    Hey, that's more than I knew earlier today.
     
  17. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    The OP posted this pic in the first post-

    7-30-2018 10-06-17 AM.jpg

    He seemed to indicate he thought this was the engine code, but I may have misread that.

    No, that is the Fisher body number.
     
    theitalianflip and thepartsman like this.
  18. thepartsman

    thepartsman Back Ordered Again ?

    Jason, I see what your talking about now. Like I said, these old eyes missed that.
    Something tells me this car is not 49 state local. Body Style "SD"....are they calling
    this 2dr coupe a sedan?....
     
  19. theitalianflip

    theitalianflip 71 Buick GS

    I actually took a good look at the engine code, and it looks like there is a T all the way to the left. It’s hard to see, but I do think it is T D/230.
     
    thepartsman likes this.
  20. thepartsman

    thepartsman Back Ordered Again ?

    Just to add what Jim has already posted,

    What your Fisher Plate says, hope this helps.

    71 = 1971
    4 = Buick
    34 = GS ( 3400 Series )
    37 = 2dr H.T.
    Z = Fremont Assembly Plant
    01375 = Fisher Body Build Sequence Number
    156 = Sandalwood Vinyl Notchback Interior
    B80 = RPO Code for Drip Rail Moldings
    67 = Burnished Cinnamon Lower Exterior Body Color
    F = Dark Brown Vinyl Top
    04A = Assembly Time Code 04 = April, A = 1st Week 1971
    The other 2 sets of numbers are Data Processing Numbers
    Used internally at Fremont.
     

Share This Page