7AJI

Hello everyone,
I am new to C3s, and I just got a black 1980 L-82, but my question is:
There is no VIN number on the engine (Tag), I can only see engine suffix (V0313ZBC), and VIN on window shows the number 6 (5th digit on VIN).
It has a 3 speed automatic transmission.
I just want to know why is the VIN on engine not showing?
Everything indicates that it is an real L-82, is there a chance that it is not ?

Please help!!

speedreed8

my 79 L82 has a similiar engine code before i decked the block. it was a service replacement block from gm. it had been changed out by a dealership & previous owner. just fyi

7AJI

Thank you for your reply. But do you have any idea why did they replace it ? was it a recall ? Is it a big deal ?
And does that make it less of an L-82 in anyway :p?

Mike Ward

Post a clear close up pic of the stamp pad if you can.

speedreed8

Like Mike said, show us a pic of engine pad.
my engine looked like an L82 on the outside, but when i rebuilt it, i found that it was a stock 350 engine, small valve smog heads, stock camshaft, but had a 4 bolt main and steel crank. typical for a replacement engine. probably one of the old 350 targetmaster motors. you never know, but i remember that the engine code started with VO and had some numbers after that, i did some research and all i can recall was that it was built in flint, mich., and the main and rod bearings had GM 1981 printed on the back of them. ????

7AJI

I couldn't figure out how to upload a pic please follow the link and you should be able to view it.
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=r94jzc&s=6

scottyp99

Looks like a non-original engine. Was the car advertized as being numbers matching? Because it's beginning to look like it's not. Sorry, Charlie.........
Don't let it keep you from enjoying the car, dude. Lot's of NOM 'vettes running around, nothing to be ashamed of.


Keep the shiny side up!
Scott

Go Vette Go

Here's the picture

speedreed8

heres some info i used
http://www.nastyz28.com/chevy-engine-code-stampings.php

these are from the website ????
ZBC 1980 350 a/t, L82 6 230 4 Vette
ZBC 1982 350 Cross-fire inject L83 8 200 TTBI Vette

MathC3

3-speed auto on a 80 ? Shouldn't there be 4 ?

Easy Mike

No. Lock up torque converter, but only three speeds. 82s got the 4 speed ATs.

7AJI: do you have the assembly instruction manual (AIM). The AIM shows the location of the alternate VIN stamp location on the block near the oil filter which could be used if the engine pad was not or could not be stamped.

I do not see so much as a hint of a VIN stamp on your pad.

Screwy.

7AJI

Thank you so much guys for all the useful info! The car wasn't advertised as "Numbers Matching", so that's fine with me as long as it is an L82 GM engine. From what I can see, the new engine is all GM stock (Hopefully). The interior of the car is great, no aftermarket mods. All gauges, original radio, power locks and power windows work great! And same thing for the exterior no waves on the body, the frame and bottom of the car are excellent. I will definitely enjoy it ! On top of it all, he gave me the original cassettes that he had! they work great! LOL

One last thing, and sorry if my question is stupid, If the code ZBC is for 2 different engines (1980 L82 and cross fire), how can I tell which one is in my car?

thanks!

7AJI

Great! I will have to check in the car and I will let you know!

mapman

The engine stamp indicates it is a Flint Engine Plant motor assembled on March 13th ("V0313"). As previously noted: The "ZBC" being the L82 automatic.

What is the assembly date of the car? Look on the "Trim Tag" (small metal plate riveted to the driver's side hinge pillar below the top door hinge) there will be a three character date code embossed in the plate next to "Chevrolet".

The first character is a letter indicating month. The second two digits indicate day. This is the approximate build date of the car. (tag was attached during production and it is possible the car was on the line for several days after installation of the tag - weekends and holidays). Note: 1980 production began in October 1979, so an "A" would indicate Oct 79, "B" Nov 79, "C" Dec 79, "D" Jan 1980, "E" Feb 80, etc.

Is the build date of the car BEFORE the build date of the engine? If so, then the engine in the car is a replacement.

If not, then CAREFULLY CLEAN - NO ABRASIVES - the stamp pad below the current engine plant stamp.

NO ABRASIVES - don't scrape, don't use metal tools, don't use sand paper, don't use a brillo pad, etc. Try soap and water with an old tooth brush for starters.

The engine stamp in the photo is VERY similar to the stamp on my 1980 as to font and placement of the stamp on the pad.

The V.I.N. stamp on my 1980 is a smaller font and is stamped VERY MUCH lighter (not as deep) and below the engine id stamping. CAREFUL cleaning might reveal the VIN.

mapman

Take a look at the "casing number" located on the top of the driver's side bellhousing flange and the "casting date" located on the passenger's side of the bellhousing flange. (Casting numbers 3970010, 14010207, and 4715111* were used in 1980, 14010207 was also used for 1981 and 1982. *LG4)

The casting date will be an alpha numeric code with the letter being the month, the next two digits being the day, and the last digit being the year.

e.g. "B 28 0" is "B"=February 28th, 1980

7AJI

Just checked it, F28 (March 28) correct? that means the body was built after the engine (March 13). Can you please explain how this might be the answer or a clue at least ?

Easy Mike

All Corvette engines were ordered in advance, assembled at either Flint, Michigan or Tonawanda, New York, shipped to the assembly plant, and stockpiled on site at the plant before assembly of the Corvette they would eventually be installed in was started.

If your engine was assembled March 13th at Flint, your car would not have been assembled until after March 13th. In your case, March 28th. Your engine was nearly two weeks old by that time.

This is true for every part on your car. All of them were on hand at the plant before assembly of your car began.

Mike Ward

It's a clue that infers that this might be the original engine. The engine assembly date cannot be after the trim tag date. The block casting number and casting date would be the next step.

I can't say that I've ever seen a C3 without the VIN derivative on the engine pad, but there's always a first.

7AJI

Is this the casting number? picture in the link

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=mvg8ba&s=6

it says 14014432
then below that GM 1F

am I in the right place? almost in the center of the engine under the air filter. An same thing I both sides

7AJI

I think that's the intake not the block number! correct me if am wrong.

can someone post a picture of block cast number and date location please!

thank you all for all your efforts!