original engine?
05-15-2014, 05:37 AM
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original engine? I bought a 1999 ss that was built in November of 98, when I pulled the motor it says march 98 on all the parts. The motor looks like it's never been out and everything on the car is stock. I was wondering if it could still be the original motor from GM, or if there is a way to find out?
05-15-2014, 01:40 PM
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An 11/98 build date would in fact indicate a 1999 model year car, which is what you mention having. But engine bay parts marked as 03/98 would be from a 1998 model year car, so I don't see how they could possibly be stock.
Several items changed from model year '98 to model year '99, so GM wouldn't have been still using production items from March of '98 by the time 1999s were rolling off the line. For example, 806 head castings are 1998 model year only, so your '99 should have 853 castings. If this is NOT the case, then that engine is definitely not original to that car (or at least the heads aren't).
FWIW, my '98 Z28 was built on March 23rd, 1998. All the items that are date coded in the engine bay have dates ranging from mid/late-February to mid-March of '98.
Several items changed from model year '98 to model year '99, so GM wouldn't have been still using production items from March of '98 by the time 1999s were rolling off the line. For example, 806 head castings are 1998 model year only, so your '99 should have 853 castings. If this is NOT the case, then that engine is definitely not original to that car (or at least the heads aren't).
FWIW, my '98 Z28 was built on March 23rd, 1998. All the items that are date coded in the engine bay have dates ranging from mid/late-February to mid-March of '98.