vin location

socal rider · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 4:56 pm Post subject: vin location

my 1987 el cam was stolen a couple of years back . the lowlife that stole it removed the vin tag that was on the dash. the calif. hwy.patrol issued a new vin body tag and put it on the door jamb. that vin # does me no good for getting info on the car. im sure you all know how important this is .i know there are #'s located elsewhere on the car because that is how the investigating officer knew that the car was stolen when he stopped the low life that was driving my car. Can anyone tell me where these numbers might be? I've looked all over the engine to find some type of VIN number to the engine but could find nothing. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

Gracias,
Arnulfo

elcamino74guy · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 6:24 pm Post subject:

If it's the factory motor a portion of the VIN should be stamped on the motor showing the Division, Year, plant and production number somewhere on the engine. Most I've found were on a portion of the block that jutted out near the alternator, near the oil filter or on the back of the motor near the distributor again on a pad that juts out a bit. The pad is usually just the block where the head meets it.

It's not the whole VIN but should at least give you the important parts of the VIN except for things like SS, etc.

Format would be

1HS100001

1=CHevrolet
H=87 model year
S=Ramos Arizpe Mexico
100001=Sequence number

Also should be on a tag on the glove box or on a label behind the driver's seat.

Smile

_________________
74 El Camino Classic - project car #1
96 Camaro - RIP, Traded 10-16-2007

2008 Mustang GT, It ain't a Chevy but at least it's American!

Z71 · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 8:11 am Post subject:

Beginning in 1968 is was federal law that the engine, transmission, body and frame carry a unique VIN derivative ID number. Tampering with these is the same as tampering with the VIN plate.

Most engines have the VIN derivative stamped on a portion of the block in front of the right cyl head. Some trucks engines use a machined pad near the top of the timing cover, while some are on a portion of the rough cast surface of the engine block by the oil filter, stamped on vertical rear flange of the block. These are often very difficult to see, the area is rough and the stamp can be very light. I have seen some that could only be seen with a magnifying glass, not because they were small but because they blended into the rough surface and appeared non-existent.

The body has them behind the heater under the hood and sometimes in other areas under the cowl trim. You really need to look hard to find them as they were hidden for a purpose.

The Frame they would be on the drivers side, rear of the rear wheel and facing up toward the body. The are in the same area where the frame manf. has his stamped codes on the out board frame rail.

One can only give the general area they are located in.

Also note, they can be very hard to find after years of rust and crud buildup so often the car has to be torn down to find them and then some still can't.

I have some pictures I will dig up and post.....these are typical of Chevelle models

Engine block by oil filter, note how hard it is to make out.

This one is much easier but has been tampered with, some trying to stamp it.

Frame location

front of engine, 19N512044 is the CON VIN for a 1969 Camaro 302 (engine code DZ) Z28 engine from car number 512044 (last 6 digits of the VIN) built at Norwood Assembly (Ohio). The engine was built at the Flint Engine Plant (V) on Sept. 11th (0911), 1968.

_________________
Mike
2005 Cadillac CTS
2008 GMC SLT E. Cab Z71
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