SICMARO

We are pretty sure this is a 98 fboby motor... side mount valve cover things like that. But trying to figure out more with the casting/laser numbers on block.

driver side = 1W8122194
Pass side head rear = 11706797

Any info would be greatfull! thank you.

RXette

hope this helps. i copied it off of the torque central site.

you can tell the exact car the engine came out of. It is called a derivative vin. the first digit signifies 1 for chev 2 for pontiac. The second digit is the model year v for 97 w for 98 x for 99 y for 2000 and z for 2001( I am not sue what they did after that) the third digit is the assembly plant 2 for St. Therese ( where all f- bodies were built) I think y bodies are built in Detroit or bowling green. ( correct me if I am wrong). Bowleen green is 5 I don't know what Detroit is.. Digits 4-9 are plant sequence.
So if the third digit is 2. it is definitely out of an f-body the This is what they mean by numbers matching if the last 4-9 of the derivative vin match digits 12-17 of your actual vin it is numbers matching. Good luck in your search
here are some casting number ( located just under drivers side head)
12550592...350...97-up...crossbolted block, Gen.III, "LS1", aluminum
12559378...350...99-up...crossbolted block, Gen.III, "LS1", aluminum
12559846...350...98-up...crossbolted block, Gen.III, "LS1", aluminum
12560621...350...98-up...crossbolted block, Gen.III, "LS1", aluminum
12560629...350...99......crossbolted block, Gen.III, "LS1", aluminum
12561168...350...01-up...crossbolted block, Gen.III, "LS1", aluminum
12562174...350...98-up...crossbolted block, Gen.III, "LS1", aluminum
I can explain how to decode a vin I will use mine as an example. The regular vin goes as follows.
2G1FP22G0W2132624 Digit sequence
1 country of origin 1 for us 2 for Canada ( all f-bodies)
2 manufacture G for GM ( all f or y bodies) ( y bodies are vettes)
3 division 1 for chevy 2 for pontiac
4-5 car line series YY for vettes and fp for camaro and fierbirds
6 Body style 2 for two door hatch 3 for convertible
7 restraint system 2 for drivers and passenger air bags ( all vetts and f bodies)
8 engine G for 5.7
9 check digit just insert a 0
10 model year v for 97 w for 98 x for 99 y for 2000 z for 2001
11 assembly plant 2 for all f-bodies 5 for y-bodies ( I think)
12-17 plant sequence
Derivative vin
1 position 3 of actual vin ( division)
2 position 10 of actual vin (model year)
3 position 11 of actual vin (assembly plant)
4-9 position 12-17 of actual vin ( plant sequence)

My derivative vin was 1 (so I knew it was a chevy) ( if it would have been 2 it would have been a pontiac) the second digit was W so I knew it was a 98. The third digit was 2 so I knew it was built in St. Therese Canada, and digits 4-9 were plant sequence.

So knowing that my actual vin would be
2 because I know it was built in St. Therese Canada
G because I know it is GM
1 because my first digit derivative vin told me so
FP because mine was out of an f-body once again because I know it was manufactured in St. Therese where all f- bodies are
2 because I guessed it was out of a hard top and not a convertible which would have been 3 instead
G because I know it is a 5.7 V8
0 Check digit ( I was told it is almost always 0)
W because my derivative vin told me it was a 98
2 because my derivative vin told me it was
132624 also because my derivative vin told me so

So it had to be 2G1FP22G0W2132624 if it was a hard top
Or 2G1FP32G0W2132624 if it was a convertible
Not too complicated LOL

dan

Stu Cool

iTrader: (13)

To use this method you need to find the laser printed number on the left side (driver's side) of the block, it is right above the oil filter. Plug that number into your formula above and you can find the actual vin of the donor car. From there you you can do all kinds of VIN checks to find out history,

Pat

RXette

hi Pat,

do you know the source of my vin post? i got it off of torquecentral and saved it, but i should have noted who the originator was and given him credit.

also if i may wander off thread, i am close to going to the smog ref with my ls1/t56 rx7. have you passed the ref? if so are there any pitfalls that i should know about?

you may e-mail me, danzan149@yahoo.com.

thanks,

dan

SICMARO

Im pretty sure my 3rd digit is an "8" but i will check again.

RXette

if it is an 8, the engine did not come out of an f body. it could have come out of a corvette or gran prix etc. i do not know what plant #8 signifies. maybe you could find out by going to a chevy dealer and looking at the vins on several model cars and trucks for an 8.

dan

Stu Cool

iTrader: (13)

Dan,

I found that same post here on LS1-Tech a while back and used it to ID my motor. I used to have it printed but I think I tossed it. I will try and search and find it again. It would be a great topic for the FAQ.

As for the smog ref, because my car is a 1953, I have no smog requirements. Just one of the benefits of having a 50+ year old car. I just hope nothing changes in the future to change that.

Pat

SICMARO

I looked at it again and its deff a "2". Thanks for the info

its a 98 camaro ls1

LIL SS

iTrader: (9)

Isn't there a year stamp under the water pump on the drivers side? I have 2 blocks in the shop. Each have a 97 and what looks to be a clock around it. One has 8 dots and the other has 6 dots around the 97. Does this mean 6th month and 8th month of 97?

mst1

can the laser etch number on the pass side block in front of the head be used for id? Mine starts with either ufo or vfo no numbers in front of it. Could this be GTO for 2004?