ENGINES We'll begin this section with the numbers and codes followed by some facts and history. Here they are: On the Corvette, the vehicle serial number tag shows the manufacturers identity, vehicle type, year, engine, assembly plant and production unit. The Corvette engine identity tag is stamped at the base of the right hand cylinder head forward end. This pad extends out about 1/2 inch and is easily recognized because of its smooth flat surface. Sometimes it may be necessary to wire brush this pad to make the numbers more visible. The first number designates the assembly plant in which the engine was manufactured. The numbers that follow indicate the production date. The letters identify the engine type and related equipment. On 1972 and later models, if the engine in the vehicle is known to be original, the fifth digit (1972 - 80) and the eigth digit (1981 - 84) of the serial number may also identify the engine used in the vehicle.
VIN Numbers and their connection: Breaking things down...this is how a V.I.N. number is read: V.I.N. Chart 1963-71 (156458F100025 )
MFR I.D. Body style Model year Assy. Plant Unit Number
1 5645 8 F (Flint) 100025The first "1" is the identity number assigned to all Chevrolet vehicles. The second group of numbers is the model identification. The number "8" represents the last digit of the model year. The letter "F" indicates that the vehicle was produced at the plant in Flint. Lastly, the unit number here shows that this was car number 25 off the assembly line. Unit numbering always starts at 100,001 at all plants.
V.I.N. Chart for 1972 - 80 (1N47R4F100025)
MFR I.D. Series code letter Body style Engine Model Model year Assy. Plant Unit Number
1 N 47 R 4 F 100025
The "1" is the manufacturers identity. Chevy. The "N" represents the model series. The 47 indicates that it was a Corvette. "R" is the engine code. The "4" is the last number of the model year. "F" represents the production plant - Flint, MI. The last section (100025) represents the unit number which will start at 000001 or 100,001 depending on the model.V.I.N. Chart for 1981 - 84 (1G1AY8769BS400.001)
MFR I.D. Restraint System Type Basic Car Model Body Type Engine Model Check Digit Model year Assy. Plant Unit Number 1G1 A Y 87 6 9 B S 400.001 The number "1" represents the vehicle as a Chevrolet. The letter "A" indicates that the car had the "non-passive restraint system with manual seat belts. The letter "Y" identifies the car as a Corvette. "87" indicates that the car was a two door coupe. The number "6" IS THE ENGINE CODE. "6" INDICATES 1981 WHILE AN "8" SHOWS 1982-84 ENGINE BLOCK. The number "9" is a manufacturers code. The B represents the model year. B=1981, C=1982, E= 1984 etc. The "S" shows that the car was produced at the St. Louis plant. 5 would indicate Bowling Green, KY. The 400.001 represents the unit number which varies with the year. Letter codes and numbers obviously change to identify the differences. Individual codes not shown
ENGINE IDENTIFICATION
1963-64 327 CID
Manual TRransmission RC
Manual Transmission and High performance RD
Special High Performance RE
Manual Transmission/Fuel Injection RF
Powerglide SC
Powerglide and High Performance SD
1964 327 CID
Manual Transmission and A/C RP
Manual Transmission, Special High Performance A/C RQ
Manual Transmission w/Transistor Ignition RT
Fuel Injection and Transistor Ignition RX
Fuel Injection, Transistor Ignition, A/C RU
Powerglide and A/C SK
Powerglide, High Performance, A/C SL
1965 327 CID
Manual Transmission HE
High Performance HF
Fuel Injection HG
Special High Perfomance HH
A/C HI
High Performance and A/C HJ
Special High Performance and A/C HK
Transistor Ignition HL
Transistor Ignition and A/C HM
Fuel Injection and Transistor Ignition HN
Powerglide HO
Powerglide and High Perfomance HP
Powerglide with A/C HQ
Powerglide, A/C and High Performance RH
Special High Performance with Hydraulic Lifters HT
Special High Performance, Hyd. Lifters, Transistor Ign. - HV
Special High Perf., A/C, Hyd. Lifters and Transistor Ign. - HW
1965 396 CID
Special High Performance IF
1966 327 CID
Manual Transmission HE
A.I.R. HH
A.I.R. and Powerglide HR
Special High Performance and A.I.R. HD
Powerglide HO
Special High Performance HT
Power steering, Spcial High Performance, A.I.R. HP
Special High Performance, A/C, A.I.R. KH
1966 427 CID
Special High Performance and Hydraulic lifters. IK
High Performance IL
A.I.R. IM
Special High Performance IP
Powerglide IQ
Powerglide and A.I.R. IR
1967 327 CID
Manual Transmission HE
A.I.R. HH
A.I.R. and Powerglide HR
Special High Performance and A.I.R. HD
Powerglide HO
Special High Performance HT
Power Steering, Special High Performance, A/C HP
Special High Performance, A/C, A.I.R. KH
1967 427 CID
4 Speed or Powerglide IL
Tri Power Carb JC
A.I.T., Special High Performance, Tri Power JE
Heavy Duty IT
Aluminum Heads IU
A.I.R. IM
A.I.R. and Tri Power JF
A.I.R. and Aluminum Heads JH
Powerglide IQ
Powerglide and Tri Power carb JD
A.I.R. and Powerglide IR
A.I.R., Tri Power, Powerglide JG
A.I.R., Tri Power, Special High Performance JA
1968 327 CID
Manual Transmission HE
Turbo Hydra-Matic HO
Power Steering and A/C HP
Special High Performance HT
1968 427 CID
Special High Performance IL
High Performance and Tri-Power Carb IM
High Performance, Tri- Power, Turbo Hydra-Matic IO
Turbo Hydra-Matic IQ
Special High Performance, Tri-Power Carb IR
High Performance IT
Special High Performance, Aluminum Heads, Tri-Power Carbs-IU
* Note two "High performance" codes.
1969 350 CID
High Performance HW
High Performance and A/C HX
Manual Transmission - HY
Turbo Hydra-Matic HZ
1969 427 CID
High Performance, Turbo Hydra-Matic LL
High Performance LM
Tri-Power, High Performance, Turbo Hydra-Matic LN
Heavy Duty (L88) LO
Aluminum Heads LP
Tri-Power and High Performance LQ
Tri-Power and Special High Performance LR
Tri-Power, Special Hig Performance, Heavy Duty Clutch LU
Heavy Duty and Turbo Hydra-Matic LV
Tri-Power Carbs, Special High Performance and Turbo Hydra-Matic LX
1970 350 CID
Manual Transmission CTL
Turbo Hydra-Matic CTM
High Performance CTN
High Performance and A/C CTO
High Performance and Transistor Ignition CTP
High Performance, Transistor Ignition, A/C CTQ
Special High Performance CTR
Special High Performance and Transistor Ignition CTU
Special High Performance, Transistor Ignition, 4 speed CTV
High Performance 4 bbl Carb, Turbo Hydra-Matic CZN
High Performance, 4-bbl Carb, Transistor Ignition CRI
1970 454 CID
High Performance 4-bbl carb, Turbo Hydra-Matic CGW
High Performance and 4-bbl Carb CZU
Heavy Duty with 4-bbl Carb CZL
Heavy Duty with 4-bbl and Turbo Hydra-Matic CZN
High Performance, 4-bbl, Transistor Ignition. CRI
1971 350 CID
270 HP 4 Speed CJL
270 HP Turbo Hydra-Matic CGT
330 hp 4 Speed CGZ
330 hp Turbo Hydra-Matic CJK
330 hp 4 Speed - Heavy Duty CGY
1971 454 CID 365 hp Turbo Hydra-Matic CPJ365 hp 4 Speed CPH
425 hp 4 Speed CPW
425 hp Turbo Hydra-Matic CPX
1972 350 CID 200 hp With Four Speed CKW
200 hp with 4 Speed, NOX control (California) CDH
200 hp with Turbo Hydra-Matic CKX
200 hp with Turbo Hydra-Matic and NOX control (California) CDJ
255 hp with 4 Speed CKY
255 hp with Turbo Hydra-Matic CKZ
255 hp with 4 Speed and A.I.R. CRT
255 hp with Turbo Hydra-Matic and A.I.R. CRS
1972 454 CID270 hp with 4 Speed CPH
270 hp with Turbo Hydra-Matic CPJ
270 hp CSR, C
To be continued..