Hi everybody, I finally got a chance to get back on line, I have a 1970 455 complete engine, casting numbers are 1231738 I'm trying to determine the production code to see what it came out of. I found where the serial number and production code belong but the numbers don't make sense, there is no serial number at all and where the prod code belongs the numbers are TR and then below that II8 I'm thinking the block has been decked, does anybody have any ideas? Thanks again Ron
TR is 71 445 4bbl 315 HP yes it is a Riviera code, but also for GS - TB,TD,TR,TS LeSabre & LeSabre Custom - TC,TO,TR Centurion - TR,TA Estate Wagon - TR Electra 225 & Electra 225 Custom - TR Riviera - TR The VIN serial is not in the same place as 70 = its on the front of the left cylinder bank. the digit after the H will indicate which it came from 9 for Riviera , I'd have to look up the rest it the same digit as the VIN starts with. also 114 is the date code for Apr 24th 1970, which I remember from a question a few days ago?
Hi, sorry it took so long to get back got busy, I did check the serial # and it does have a 9 after the H. Thanks again, I checked 2 other blocks I have one block has 4 after the H , this one has a different casting number, the other block has a 1231738 cast number and the serial# is on the deck between #1 and #2 spark plugs the prod code has been machined off and there is very little left of the serial # but I did find a 1 after the H I'll see if I can figure out what it came out of. thanks again, I can't believe how much I have learned just from this web site and of course from everybody has taken the time to share info. Again thanks to all Ron
Ron 1231738 cast number and the serial# is on the deck between #1 and #2 spark plugs lets you know that one is a pre 71. number between 4 and H is the model year For 71/72 Flint built Lesabre and Centurions number 4 is after H, 9 is Riviera and 5 I'm pretty sure (not positive) is Electra, read somewhere 7 in 66, (in 73 Riviera has 4,5 and 9) 1 would be all the other Buicks and start fresh with 100001 for each plant/model line, including Lesabre Centurions Electras built at other plants, as far as I found so far. If the number after H matches the Car VIN its one that could have come in that car. For Example a TR code GS 455 would be 1 - would not have be in a Riviera, the Riviera would be a Riviera base 455 TR code with a 9, Riviera GS would be TA code with a 9 (TS Stage 1- in A Body lingo - but not exactly the same specs) Some additional info that will going into part of the decode guide i'm working on <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <woNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]-->Approximately 500 Centurions were assembled after July 12, 1971, starting with VIN 466xx1X194963 at the Fairfax Assembly plant with the "TA" coded 455 engine normally used in the performance option (A9) for this model. The "TA" engine is also used with the Riviera GS option. the engine and transmission Serial Numbers 9 digits a 4 for Buick plus the last 8 digits of the VIN. i.e. for VIN 494871H931713, the engine and transmission serial number ld is 41H931713. These are the same number found on the vehicle identification plate (VIN). This is the legal engine number and is used on registrations, titles, and other legal documents, while the production code numbers and transmission assembly plant serial is used to identify the engine on product reports and other factory correspondence. On all 71-73 THM400 the VIN is stamped on a machined surface just above the pan on the drivers side. The Buick 455 ENGINE VIN SERIAL NUMBER is located on the front surface of the block, behind the power steering pump drivers side for 71, and can be in the same spot on the passenger side from mid 72 production year and onward. any body who has added/similar info for all models it would be appreciated and included in part 2 which will have charts as much as I can manage to collect for all 71-73 Buick models see part1 http://boattail-riviera-by-buick.com/library/owner info_manuals/documentation decoding/index.html
Hi everybody, I have to apoligize, I don't have alot of free time and I have to steal a little here and there to get on line, but I greatly appreciate the feed back, I'll have to check my engine further and see just what I do have. Thanks again Ron
