Decoding Engine Vin

I have been shopping around for a 350 that I would like to rebuild for a class I am taking this next year in college, one semester is focused on heads and the other on the shortblock. I got a 71 nova and I am not quite sure what is in there now however it is a small block. I would like to keep the engine that is in the car and be able to drive it while I take the next year in college to build up this engine, and if I mess up for anyreason (GOD I HOPE NOT :grinyes: ) I got another engine to fall back on.

I got a good deal on a 350 from a place down by my house. The guy is willing to sell the longblock, it is missing a water pump, distributor, alternator, intake manifold, and flywheel but anyway to my question.

He said that it was a crate motor which is fine w/ me and hasn't ever been bored over and its a complete shortblock w/ heads which is what I want. However he isn't sure if its a 2 or 4 bolt main, I would like a 4 bolt main.

Block Casting #: 3970010
Made during 69-79, 350cid, 185 low hp, 370 high hp, 2 or 4 bolt main used in cars, trucks, and corvettes.
I found the info above from one of the decoding sites that was listed a few months back.

I am having major trouble decoding the VIN number though:
V0199800

The only thing I can find out about this thing is that it was made in Flint. Even if I was able to decode this would I be able to figure out if its a 4 bolt main? I have looked online and the way this VIN is I cannot figure out anything about it other than where it was made. Am I going to have to just take the chance and buy it or ask the guy and hope that I can drop the oil pan and find out before I buy? Any suggestions would be apprecaited. Everyone I've talked to says that a 4 bolt is probably the best way to go and I'd like to start on a good leg, this will be my first rebuild. If anyone has a website that can decode the VIN I have please post it, i've done some searches on google and nothing seems to add up.

Any help / comments is appreciated. :)

You can try and check out www.novaresource.org from what i looked at you might need to know the year of engine. All that I can tell is maybe that it was made in flint, MI during january. Didn't look that hard though.

I have a good book on casting #s and I might be able to help if there is a casting # on the flat pad that is located on the front of the block on the passenger side (right in front of the pass cylinder head). Also, what is the casting # on the cylinder heads? You can also, look above the timing chain cover, most 4-bolt blocks had an oil pressure take off hole drilled and tapped there that is blocked off with a little (1/8 inch)pipe plug. If that is there chances are good that it is a 4-bolt block.

[QUOTE=CRushER]
I am having major trouble decoding the VIN number though:
V0199800
QUOTE]

That is the # I got from the lil flat pad on the passenger side of the block infront of the head. I didn't get the casting # from the heads but if it'll help let me know and I'll make the trip down there to get it.

From this site http://www.nastyz28.com/spmenu.html I found that it says:

Note: CODE CE was used from 1968 to current year. It represents any CID and is used to indicate a Warranty Engine.
VF292800 - is an example of a over the counter crate engine. "2800" is the last 4 digits of the GM part # for the crate engine assembly. The final digit could be a year code.
Another example: A Targetmaster engine (p/n 14009800) built in 1985 could have a code stamped as follows:
A0198005 (A = january, 01, 9800 = pn, 5 = 1985).

The above list of codes is a summarization, it is not complete

From what I can tell the block was made in flint, during Jan. but the 99800 I have aboslutely no clue and from what is above 2800 is a code for an over the counter crate engine. Sooo assuming that 9800 would be the code in this case the first 9 would mean it was made on the 9th in Jan. in Flint. I have been looking online for codes for over the counter crate engine #'s but havn't found any. I might just break down and see if I can pop the pan to look.

Thanks much for trying to help NOVA71 and 72_supernova. I just would like to do a good job and start with a good block on this buildup/class.

I checked a few more books I had and none have any info on crate engine vin #s. Anyhow, if the price is right and it's in good shape, I'd buy it. A 4 bolt is nice but you probably don't really need one unless your gonna be pushin over 400hp or so. Please post if you have any luck finding out anything about that vin. Good Luck!

I found the casting numbers for the heads and the heads are for a 350. Nova71 the oil pressure take off hole, is that under the intake? I found a little 1/8 hole above the timing chain cover but it was verticle to the engine and looked like it would set under the intake(engine had no intake). It is 200bucks and I think I'm going to end up getting it anyway. THANK YOU much for helping man, I appreciate it.

Let me know the casting # on the heads if you like, my book has lots of info on heads as well and I might be able to tell you if they are a good performance head. Hopefully they are a heavy design head and not the light weight design. Regardless though, you can always upgrade later if need be.

The head casting number is 462624
Thanks, appreciate it :)

OK, from what I see they may be half decent heads. Looks like they have 161cc intake runners, 76cc combustion chambers and I think they came with 1.94 intake and 1.50 exhaust valves and some even had the bigger 2.02/1.60 valves. Probably well worth the $200.