Partial VIN # stamped on engine - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

stllookn · 12-02-2002, 08:10 PM

I can't figure out how much of the vin # is stamped on my 400 that I am getting ready to rebuild. The small number is C77195549. I am pretty certain it must have been the 195,549th vehicle built but that is about it.

The engine code is F0531TLM which is a Flint engine vehicle, built on May 31 that went into a 1976 (K20 or 2500), 77 (K20 - 3500) or 79 (C20 - 3500) truck.

I can't find any info on the head casting numbers in any of the four locations I usually check 458642. I am going to toss the heads anyway but was just curious.

bigjimzlll · 12-02-2002, 08:51 PM

76-up 350/400 is all I could find at mortec

Longhorn Man · 12-02-2002, 10:15 PM

I think they stopped with the vin on engines in the early 70's.
Some one please correct me if i am wrong.

Hutch · 12-02-2002, 10:19 PM

Heads look like 68 327

That doesn't sound right though:

Check this link:

http://www.cehighperformance.com/c_t..._codes.htm#327

The TLM suffix code:

Check this link:

http://www.nastyz28.com/sbchevy/spcode8.html

stllookn · 12-02-2002, 11:35 PM

I have tried the nastyz28 site and could not find anything on the heads or the vin. I have looked at that number on the heads ten times and the only thing close was the '78-'79 & '80-'84 350 (468642) so Hutch that site you noted is probably right...this is a 175 hp 400! It was probably a smog motor so why did it need to breathe? I am throwing the heads away and building this thing from the bottom up. I just wanted to find out exactly where the motor came from. I will check the guys truck who I bought it from to see if that matches the vin...it is a 69 or 70 C10. It really does not make sense with the other engine block code however.

Thanks!

Blazer1970 · 12-03-2002, 08:56 AM

TLM is a '76, '77, or '79 truck 400 as you have noted. In the partial VIN, C stands for conventional cab pickup truck. One or both of the 7s that follow indicate 1977 model year. I also do not see any listing for that head casting. The engine could not have come from a '69 or '70 truck, as they did not offer a SB 400 in trucks in those years. They also did not stamp VINs on truck engine blocks in the '67 - '72 model years. This is not a big block, is it?

stllookn · 12-03-2002, 01:10 PM

That is pretty much what I suspected too...not original to the truck. It is a small block for sure...no mistaking that. Hutch did find the heads listed as 327's! Go figure...but I am sure if I needed some heads for a mid-seventies wheezebag motor I would not hesitate to throw on whatever I had laying under the bench that would get me back on the road. This motor was only listed at 175 hp so it came with "soda-straw" heads anyway. Thanks for the input.

I am thinking about trying the Jim Pace modified Vortecs for a 400...I need to call and see what he does to them. I want to do a budget build-up steet motor but am having a real problem keeping it under $2000...everything is a trade-off and compromise.

12-02-2002, 08:10 PM	#1
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	Partial VIN # stamped on engine I can't figure out how much of the vin # is stamped on my 400 that I am getting ready to rebuild. The small number is C77195549. I am pretty certain it must have been the 195,549th vehicle built but that is about it. The engine code is F0531TLM which is a Flint engine vehicle, built on May 31 that went into a 1976 (K20 or 2500), 77 (K20 - 3500) or 79 (C20 - 3500) truck. I can't find any info on the head casting numbers in any of the four locations I usually check 458642. I am going to toss the heads anyway but was just curious. __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary)

12-02-2002, 08:51 PM	#2
bigjimzlll Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Redding,CA...USA Posts: 4,736	76-up 350/400 is all I could find at mortec __________________ It's called "drag racing" if they called it "tic..tic..WHAM!..BANG! F*&K!!!", they'd have to keep the magazines under the counter with the other men's publications click the clicky to join the site.... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php 67 lwb..first hotrod in 25 years..540 best ET is 9.45 @ 141.44 Anderson,CA

12-02-2002, 10:19 PM	#4
Hutch Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Grapevine, Tx. Posts: 2,140	Heads look like 68 327 That doesn't sound right though: Check this link: http://www.cehighperformance.com/c_t..._codes.htm#327 The TLM suffix code: Check this link: http://www.nastyz28.com/sbchevy/spcode8.html __________________ John Hutchison Grapevine,Texas 68 1/2 t swb 68 Mustang 69 Jaguar 71 1/2 t swb 88 Supra CompTs6m 93 Escort GT 2005 Corolla XRS

12-02-2002, 11:35 PM	#5
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	I have tried the nastyz28 site and could not find anything on the heads or the vin. I have looked at that number on the heads ten times and the only thing close was the '78-'79 & '80-'84 350 (468642) so Hutch that site you noted is probably right...this is a 175 hp 400! It was probably a smog motor so why did it need to breathe? I am throwing the heads away and building this thing from the bottom up. I just wanted to find out exactly where the motor came from. I will check the guys truck who I bought it from to see if that matches the vin...it is a 69 or 70 C10. It really does not make sense with the other engine block code however. Thanks! __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary) Last edited by stllookn; 12-02-2002 at 11:37 PM.

12-03-2002, 08:56 AM	#6
Blazer1970 Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Old Mission, MI, USA Posts: 2,510	TLM is a '76, '77, or '79 truck 400 as you have noted. In the partial VIN, C stands for conventional cab pickup truck. One or both of the 7s that follow indicate 1977 model year. I also do not see any listing for that head casting. The engine could not have come from a '69 or '70 truck, as they did not offer a SB 400 in trucks in those years. They also did not stamp VINs on truck engine blocks in the '67 - '72 model years. This is not a big block, is it? __________________ Tim Last edited by Blazer1970; 12-03-2002 at 08:59 AM.

12-02-2002, 10:15 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	I think they stopped with the vin on engines in the early 70's. Some one please correct me if i am wrong.

12-03-2002, 01:10 PM	#7
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	That is pretty much what I suspected too...not original to the truck. It is a small block for sure...no mistaking that. Hutch did find the heads listed as 327's! Go figure...but I am sure if I needed some heads for a mid-seventies wheezebag motor I would not hesitate to throw on whatever I had laying under the bench that would get me back on the road. This motor was only listed at 175 hp so it came with "soda-straw" heads anyway. Thanks for the input. I am thinking about trying the Jim Pace modified Vortecs for a 400...I need to call and see what he does to them. I want to do a budget build-up steet motor but am having a real problem keeping it under $2000...everything is a trade-off and compromise. __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary)



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