Someone on kijiji is selling a 425 (or so he says). I want to get him to send me the casting numbers, problem is, I don't know where the casting numbers are. I looked on my own engine and came up with a number just front of the valley pan (B2549181), but this doesn't match up with the casting numbers I found on buicks.net. He wants $200 but it sounds like a boat anchor, (turns somewhat) and it's 400 miles away
This is what they say. The engine production code, which is stamped on the front of the block near where the head attaches. I read this before, and took my scraper to both sides of the front of the block, but no numbers appeared.
Try these links, the picture at the top of the page of the first link shows what you are looking for. The production code is located behind the thermostat housing and in front of the valley cover on the passenger side. For 1965 and 1966 it will be stamped so it is right side up as opposed to upside down as shown in the picture for 1959-1964. The last two links give the production codes for each year. I personally like the last list better:Brow: http://www.teambuick.com/forums/view.php?pg=indent_engine_where http://www.teambuick.com/forums/view.php?pg=indent_engine_63-75 http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.p...a-401-or-425&p=1924683&highlight=#post1924683
Look for the numbers Sean references. Casting numbers are just that, casting numbers. The block is nothing until it's machined and number are STAMPED into it. The same casting numbers can be used for many years at a time. Ed
Thanks for passing on these links, they definitely show where the number should be, however, on my engine there is nothing there. Is this common or is my engine a freak?
I recall Canadian built cars had different stamping and coding then their US counterparts. I am not sure where to find the decoding information for them. The 401 and 425 share the same external casting numbers in some cases (above the transmission housing), and in other cases have they have their own distinct casting number. See if the casting number (also in team Buick.com reference section) is one of the shared numbers or a CI designated casting. Cheryl
Below is an example of where the casting numbers are found: Here is a partial list of Nailhead casting numbers, and here is a link to some information on Canadian decoding. Cheryl
I can see it's right behind the the distributor, thanks for finding that for me. Now, anybody can chime in about the engine itself. What's it worth?
A couple of notes on Canadian built engines: -Canadian built engines did not use a production code, so this area will be blank -Only the 401 was built in Canada, the 425 was imported from the US -All 425's imported to Canada from the US will have a production code but no engine serial number -The engine serial number scheme used in Canada was different than in the US, but the engine serial number was stamped in the same location as US engines (opposite side of the engine from the production code). The Canadian engine serial number scheme includes the engine size and year. Does the engine have a serial number (see the picture on Team Buick)? Post the engine serial number if you find it. http://www.teambuick.com/forums/view.php?pg=indent_engine_where
The All Buicks is Open to everyone this weekend http://buick-libraries.boattail-riviera-by-buick.com/ login id V8Buick password freepreview <center> </center> 1965 Buick Full Size Chassis Service Manual -- GM Corp ---------- Post added at 04:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:54 PM ---------- woops its for a lark you have go to the intermediate section of the library back then. <center> </center> 1965 Buick Chassis SM Skylark-Special GM Corp <center> </center> 1965 Buick Chassis SM Skylark Gran Sport Supplement GM Corp
Sean, very interesting information. What is the source or documentation for the Canadian info? Thanks, Tom Mooney
Seans source for that is the ID section of the Canadian Chassis Manual, he has sent a bunch of them for the library they are only id sections and not combined/posted yet - the Full US mnaul does have this info . pages are below -Canadian no engine code info is bottom right of third picture, both code locations are shown (as in US manual/models) is on 5th picture Thank to Sean we have these Canadian Chassis Manual pages for 51 thru 66 and few yearlier ones, if anyone wants copies let us know. Dont have full Canadian Manuals but maybe someday. Many of the US ones are already in the library The All Buicks is Open to everyone this weekend http://buick-libraries.boattail-riviera-by-buick.com/ login id V8Buick password freepreview [h=1]In the Works Coming Soon[/h] 71/72 Service Bulletions 70 color and trim binder much of these thanks to Sean 1964 Intermediates SM, 66 chassis and fisher manuals, 67 Chassis SM, 67 Fisher manual, 1928-1954 Buick Master Chassis Parts Book , 1937 Buick Shop Manual, 1937-1938 Fisher Body Service Manual, 1938 Buick Shop Manual, 1939 Buick Shop Manual, 1939-1940 Fisher Body Service Manual, 1940 Buick Shop Manual, 1942 BUICK SHOP MANUAL, 1946 BUICK SHOP MANUAL SUPPLEMENT TO 1942, 1948-1949 Buick Shop Manual, 1952 Buick Shop Manual A bunch of 1950 sales pamphlets and some from the 40�s 66 full line brochure, 63 Large Brochure All Lines, 63 Brochure intermediate (trimline) Cars, 63 Brochure Fullsize Cars, 62 Full Line Brochure, 62 Fullsize Car Brochures, 62 Wildcat Skylark Foldout 68 owners manual Lesabre wildcat electra, 67 Riviera Owners Manual, 1946-68 Buick parts catalogue (groups 14 -15 conv trim sections) Buick Dynaflow Transmission Manuals, more Rochester Carb Info, 46-64 GM carb info
There is a also Canadian manual for the 1965 fullsize cars which has info on the 401 and 425. I've attached some pictures of the numbers from a 1965 Canadian 401. 385690416 38 = 401 V8 5 = 1965 690416 = sequential number starting a 690001 for 401 V8
B254918L B = 401 V8, 2 bbl carb from 4400 series (LeSabre) 254918 = sequential number, range was about 248,977 to 263,360 for 1963 L = Low compression, this should be the same as the JS production code engines in the US 1963 was the last year this engine serial number scheme was used in Canada. A similar scheme was used in Canada for 1951-1963 and then it changed for 1964-1966. For 1963 the prefix C = 401 V8, 4 bbl carb from 4400 or 4600. Are you planning on using this engine in a 1964 or later car? 1963 was the last year for the Dynaflow and the end of the crankshaft is different than for the 1964 and later cars with the SP400 trans.
Well, this is a revelation. This means this engine was dropped in my car and the low compression is why I can't make it go as fast as my other Wildcat (the one in the avatar) Thanks for decifering the code for me.
Here's another link to the Team Buick website that explains a little more about identifying a 425 using an alignment lug that was cast into blocks built for the larger 425 bore. You can read more about it in the link. I have a '64 and a '66 425 and they both have this lug cast into them. The 401 in my '63 does not. http://www.teambuick.com/reference/ident_engine_425.php Ed
