Visually Identifying GM V8 Engines of the 60’s and 70’s

Visually ID GM V8 engines

Re the 215 CI engines, you made an error in the years offered in your first display, but you got it correct in your "Quick Reference Area" The Aluminum block was offered in '61 thru '63 and then Buick went to a cast iron block 300 CI with Aluminum heads in '64.:shield:
 
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thanks for proofing that.

i've been kicked about it already but i was doing all of my changes in an MS Word document off line and then posting corrections.

as work has been proceeding at my normal blisteringly glacial pace, i hadn't been back to post the correction.
 
Tracking down VIN's

Is it possible to find a VIN for a car if you know who purchased the car, approximately the date, where it was purchased, and options on the car?
 
the DMV could probably search on the owner but i've heard most of them haven't kept records prior to 81(?) when the VIN codes were federally standardized.

is the dealer still in business?

i take it you don't actually have the car...
 
Thanks Bob

That's what I figured. I do not have the car. My brither sold it for $50 in 1978. It was my Grandfather's car and the first car I ever owned. I think it's pretty rare, if I can find it, I'm going to restore it.
 
as you're the prior owner have you considered trying to contact your car insurance agency (that you were insuring with back in the 60s/70s) and asking them if they've kept the records on it?

if they've kept them you shouldn't have any difficulty getting your own personal info back from them. perhaps a small paperwork handling fee or something.
 
buick codes

i have found two buick nailheads in a boat the blocks are red and i have one number 1374603
are these 401s can anyone identify them.:bana:
 
maybe you all can help

My 66 skylark either has a 340 or 300 2v motor...
where do I find the MX or MA codes you are referring to ?
Also where are the cyl head #s ?

I found this # on dr side ft of the motor.
 
thanks for the info
Im going to have to clean my motor up a little more
to find the other identity info...
Is my motor suppose to be the blue color or red ?
still need to find out which air cleaner decal I need
(got to install the original one next week)
thanks again
 
In 1963, the Riviera came from the factory with a silver engine and wrinkle red air cleaner. It was a one year, one model only difference, the other '63 models were still the Buick green. In '64 and '65 the Rivs engines were once again the same color as the other models; the same green they'd used on the V8's since '53.

Ed
 
i think the 66's are an aqua color. 67 and up is when the red really started although there were some red GS motors earlier.

Riviera engines were red in 1966 (I've had three of them.) I think the 401's in the other models were green; I don't know for sure about the Wildcats, but if they came with the Q-jet carb, I'll bet they were red. Every Q-jet manifold I've ever seen has originally been red.

Ed
 
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I am putting A 76 buick 350(according to numbers & color) in my 78 regal,I have seen two different harmonic balancers for it,what is the crossover re: years & motors
can't find the proper one to fit .
 
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Help

Can anyone help me identify this motor? it is in a 65 Skylark but the motor has been changed.

Thanks
 
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