Full Answer
What does a matching numbers corvette mean?
Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions. A matching numbers Corvette means that its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and the stamp on its engine match, proving that the original engine is still in the car. Numbers matching can also extend to the transmission, alternator, starter, and other components.
How can I tell if my Corvette has an original engine?
The last six digits of the engine stamp are the serial number, which should match the production number on the Corvette's VIN. Cast date and assembly date (also called build date) are two other key clues to corroborate an original engine; both dates should be a few months prior to the build date on the body.
Why is the VIN number on a corvette 6 cylinder?
Early Corvette's that had 6 Cylinder engines did not have the Letter "V" as the first Sequence Number. The Letter "V" stands for V8. The VIN of 6 cylinder cars will always start with the Letter "E". This is why the VIN will be 10 digits for 1953-54 cars.
What is the serial number on a 1960 Corvette 327 engine?
Beginning in 1960 the stamp included the serial number of the car it was installed in. The 327 engine in my Corvette contains the following number sequences: 6122891 F0518HE. Decoded, the first sequence is 6 for the year (66) and then the VIN sequence of 122891.
How do I know what engine my Corvette has?
The last six digits of the engine stamp are the serial number, which should match the production number on the Corvette's VIN. Cast date and assembly date (also called build date) are two other key clues to corroborate an original engine; both dates should be a few months prior to the build date on the body.
What engine is in a stock Corvette?
6.2L LT2 V8 Engine.
How do I know if I have a L82 Corvette?
You can also check the stamp pad on the engine block, passenger side front below valve cover, it should be stamped with either ZBA plus the last numbers in your VIN, this would be L82 with manual trans and ZBB for L82 with auto trans.
How do I know what engine I have?
“You can identify your car's engine type by the VIN found in the owner's manual or under the hood. The eighth digit contains the information on the engine.”
How do I know if I have a Z51 Corvette?
The way to tell if it's that or Z51 is on the center console, just in front of the little console storage area, if there's a round switch (not the traction control) it has the F55, if not it's Z51. If it's a 2007+ drilled rotors could also denote that it's got the F55 suspension.
What Corvette has the LS3?
The Chevrolet Corvette (C6) is the sixth generation of the Corvette sports car that was produced by Chevrolet division of General Motors for the 2005 to 2013 model years....Chevrolet Corvette (C6)Engine6.0 L LS2 V8 6.2 L LS3 V8 7.0 L LS7 V8 6.2 L LS9 supercharged V824 more rows
What year Corvettes had L82?
6 Answers. Hello Lilarden-- The L82 was one of three engines available for the 1974 Chevrolet Corvette. The L82 was a 350 cubic inch V8 giving off 250-hp with a 4-barrel carb.
What does L82 stand for?
The L82 is a 5.3 liter, eight-cylinder engine from General Motors used in pickup trucks. Featuring an OverHead Valve (OHV), or “push-rod” design” in a “V” configuration, the L82 is part of GM's Gen V Small Block engine architecture that's known in trucks and SUVs as EcoTec3.
What is special about an L82 Corvette?
All things considered, the 1973 L82 equipped Corvette produced 210 horsepower at 5,500 RPM, which served as a noticeable decrease in performance over past small-blocks within the 350 cubic-inch family. However, the L82 still managed to best the Corvette base engine's output by 30 horsepower.
Can VIN number tell engine size?
Your VIN number is your vehicle identification number and you can find your engine size by VIN number. In the series of numbers and letters, the tenth from the left denotes the model year and the eighth is the engine codes.
How do I identify my GM engine?
0:333:27How To Identify Your Chevy Engine Block With Casting NumbersYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis is the driver's side rear for this block. This is a six digit number sometimes or longer thanMoreThis is the driver's side rear for this block. This is a six digit number sometimes or longer than that and that's the number that you're looking for that's what you want to write down.
How do you decode GM engine numbers?
A Chevy engine serial number is a unique ESN used to identify every Chevy vehicle....Below is the meaning of each of the letters and numbers in the engine serial number:1st letter = assembly factory.2nd and 3rd digits = month of the assembly.4th and 5th digits = day of the assembly.Last 2 or 3 digits = Engine Suffix code.
Corvette VIN Decoder C1 (1960) to Corvette VIN Decoder C2 (1964)
How Do You Read a Corvette VIN? | 12 Digit VIN Explanation and Location
Corvette 13 Digit VIN Decoder C2 (1965) to Corvette VIN Decoder C3 (1971)
C2 Corvette VIN Tag Location: 1965 to 1967 similar to the 1963 to 1964 models that were spot welded to the body hinge brace under the glove box.
Corvette VIN Decoder C3 1972 to 1980
Inner side of drivers side windshield post (A-pillar). Visible through window from outside.
Corvette VIN Decoder 1981 to 2013 (C3-C6)
How Do You Read a Corvette VIN? | 17 Digit Corvette VIN Decoder Explanation and Location
What does it mean when a Corvette has matching numbers?
A matching numbers Corvette means that its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and the stamp on its engine match, proving that the original engine is still in the car . Numbers matching can also extend to the transmission, alternator, starter, and other components. You'll get—and pay—a much higher price for your classic car if all or most all ...
What is the most important thing to have when matching a Corvette?
For a matching numbers Corvette, the most important thing is to have the original engine. Having other parts with the correct numbers can also be important if you want to maintain as high of a level of factory-correctness as possible. On the transmission, the exact location of the code depends on the brand.
What to do if you can't find the engine stamp?
If you are unable to locate the engine stamp, use a soft cloth to gently clean away any grease or dirt built up on the block. If you clean the engine and the number is still missing, it may have been sanded off during a motor rebuild.
Why is it important to know the matching numbers of a car?
This is important because matching numbers are one of the key factors that determine the price of a collectible car. If you're inspecting a rare or high-value Corvette, it may be worthwhile to either learn how to access some of these numbers yourself or to bring in an expert to ensure everything is correct. Either way, it never hurts to know ...
Where is the VIN number on a Corvette?
Before 1968, when a federal law required this serial number to be visible from the outside of the car, the Corvette's VIN was either located on the steering column (1960–1962 models) or on a brace below the glove compartment (1963–1967 models).
Where is the transmission code on a Saginaw?
The code on many classic Saginaw, Muncie, and Turbo Hyrda- matic transmissions, for example, is located on a stamp or plate on the right-hand side of the transmission case. On this code, the first digits reveal the manufacturer, model year, and assembly plant. The final six numbers are the production sequence.
What year was the Corvette engine stamped?
Engine stampings evolved in the early years of the Chevrolet V8 engine. In 1955-56, it was simply a continuous serial number, but one that didn’t match the serial number of the Corvette. It was then followed with F for Flint, where the Corvette engine was manufactured and then the year (F55 or F56). The final two letters indicated the original ...
Why are casting numbers important in a Corvette?
Casting Numbers are important to the engine documentation process because certain numbers were used for Corvettes and some were not.
What is the cast date on a 1966 Corvette?
The cast date on the block in my 1966 is “E 5 6”, which decoded stands for May 5, 1966. If you are trying to document an engine, the casting number would confirm the size of the engine and its intended recipient, and the date code would confirm that the block was used in Corvettes. Engine Stamping.
What does the cast date on a car mean?
The cast date symbolizes the date of manufacture of the block. Dates are coded beginning with a letter representing the month. Letters began with “A” for January through “L” for December.
Where is the casting number on a 1966 Chevy V8?
The casting number on Chevy V8’s is located on the drivers side of the engine where the block is connected to the bellhousing. It can be a bit hard to see with the ignition shielding in place but the numbers are fairly large. The casting number on my 1966 is 3858174 which is identified as a 327 ci V8 block.
Where is the cast date on a 1965 V8?
I found this number difficult to locate. On 1965-67 big blocks, the cast date is located on the passenger side of the block where the starter is attached .
Do engines have a T instead of F?
Those engines would have a T instead of F on the stamp, as well as the full year in the cast date. There are several publications that contain a breakdown of engine codes and sequences. The NCRS also provides a publication that details how engines were stamped and therefore, may help you identify restamped engines.
When was the 1969 Corvette called a VIN?
In 1969 it was called a Serial Number, didn't switch over to a VIN until 1970. Anyways from that you can tell its a Chevy Corvette with a V-8, 2 Door Coupe built in St Louis and was the 19,910 Corvette built that year...
Can you tell what engine went into a Corvette?
According to Corvette Restoration Tips, its impossible to know exactly what engine went into your car. Here is the quote "There really is no way to tell what engine was originally in that Corvette. Even if the Corvette was here in our shop we still could not guarantee that we would be able to tell you. If the Corvette has had multiple owners, which ...
