1977 Buick Regal Colonnade engine identification

Discussion in 'V-8 Buick Powered Regals' started by Doorslammer, Aug 7, 2019.

  1. Doorslammer

    Doorslammer Active Member

    Hello,
    I have just bought a 1977 Buick Regal Colonnade 4 door sedan, but I can't find out which engine the car is equipped with. It's a V8 engine, and the engine code is "R" in the VIN-number. I have looked different places on the internet, where they decode 1977 Buick VIN, but I can't find the "R" code in 1977.
    The VIN-number is 4J29R7Z...... The car is sold new in 1977 in Denmark where I live. It's is not a very common car around here, so i can't compare it to similar cars. In fact I only know of this particular car in Denmark.

    Also the distributor is placed in the back against the firewall, which with my knowledge is not a Buick 350 V8? I thought every Buick 350 V8 had the distributor in front? How ever, i can see in the owners manual, that there are mentioned 2 different sparkplug types -1 type for the 350 V8 with the distributor in front and 1 type for the distributor in the back. The engine is light blue and looks as if it is the original engine.

    I hope you guys can help me solve this mystery:)

    Thanks,
    Jens
     
  2. alvareracing

    alvareracing Platinum Level Contributor

    a picture would help. It has to be one of these, Olds, Pontiac, or a bowtie
     
  3. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    Being a blue engine I would venture a guess & say Pontiac
     
    Briz likes this.
  4. Brad Conley

    Brad Conley RIP Staff Member

    Not by then Tom. Corporate Blue by 1977.
     
  5. Doorslammer

    Doorslammer Active Member

    If I use Buickgod.com i find this:

    Vehicle Identification Number - VIN

    The Buick VIN number for 1977 had 13 Characters.

    1st = What division of GM, "4" is for Buick.
    2nd = Tell what TYPE of car it is (Skylark, Century, Riviera, ect..)
    B - Skylark
    C - Skylark Limited
    E - Century Wagon
    H - Century
    J - Regal
    K - Regal Sports Coupe
    L - Century
    G - Century Sports Coupe
    M - Regal
    P - LeSabre Limited
    S - Skyhawk
    T - Skyhawk S
    X - Electra Limited
    W - Electra Park Ave
    V - Electra 225
    F - LeSabre Sports Coupe
    N - LeSabre
    Z - Riviera
    3rd and 4th = Tells Body Style
    07 - Skyhawk Hatchback
    09 - Aero 4dr
    17 - Skylark 2dr hatchback
    29 - 4dr Colonnade sedan
    35 - 4dr 2 seat Wagon
    37 - LeSabre 2dr coupe
    47 - Regal 2dr
    57 - 2dr coupe
    69 - 4dr coupe
    87 - 2dr coupe
    5th = Engine Code
    C - 231ci v6 2bl Carb
    Y - 301 V8 4bl
    U - 305 V8
    H - 350 V8
    L - 350ci V8
    J - 350ci V8
    X - 350ci V8
    K - 403ci v8
    6th = tell what year it is "7" = 1977
    7th = What Plant the car was Produced
    H - Flint MI
    2 - Therese Canada
    U - Lordstown OH
    W - Willow Run MI
    T - Tarry town NY
    G - Framingham MA
    Z - Fremont CA
    C - Southgate CA
    X - Fairfax KS
    E - Linden NJ
    9th - 13th = Production Sequence numbers

    Under engine codes (5th digit) are "R" not even listed, but it's listed in my VIN-number on the car? And that is what i don't understand.

    I have also looked at this side: https://www.teambuick.com/reference/ident_engine_76-82.php. On this site: the "R" indicates that it's an OLDS engine??? But did some of the Regals come with an Olds engine? I'm lost here:).
     
  6. Doorslammer

    Doorslammer Active Member

    I'll try to post some pics, when I get home from work.

    Thanks for the replys so far :).
     
  7. pbr400

    pbr400 68GS400

    Except Cadillac-you could still get the 425 until ‘79.
    Patrick
     
    Electra man likes this.
  8. Doorslammer

    Doorslammer Active Member

    Ok, here are a couple of pictures of the car and the engine compartment.
     

    Attached Files:

  9. Brad Conley

    Brad Conley RIP Staff Member

    Oldsmobile engine.
     
    Briz likes this.
  10. Briz

    Briz Founders Club Member

    Agree. Looks like the 307 Olds.
     
  11. BUICKRAT

    BUICKRAT Got any treats?

    Well, it's def an olds engine, and the emissions sticker states 350, so prolly a 350 olds engine.
     
  12. Doorslammer

    Doorslammer Active Member

    Ok, the "R" code match that it should be an Olds engine. But it must be the 350 then, also according to the sticker in the engine compartment?

    So if I understand it correct, GM took "what they had on the shelf" of Pontiac, Chevy, Olds and Buick engines, and put it in all of the different marks, so a Buick could have an Olds engine, Chevy could have a Pontiac engine an so on? Or could you back then choose among the GM product range which engine you would have in your car as an option?
     
  13. Brad Conley

    Brad Conley RIP Staff Member

    No choice. You got what was available.
     
  14. Doorslammer

    Doorslammer Active Member

    Ok cool. Thanks a lot for all the helpful inputs. I have learned a lot.
    Thanks, Jens
     
  15. Doorslammer

    Doorslammer Active Member

  16. Doorslammer

    Doorslammer Active Member

    Hi guys,
    once again thanks for all the replys and info. I truly appreciate your help so much:). With my engine identified, I can now order parts for it.

    On the sticker placed above the radiator it says under OR : 350 CU. IN. 730M4AU. Does any one know what 730M4AU stands for?

    Thanks, Jens
     
  17. Mopar

    Mopar Well-Known Member

    BTW, nice car.
     
  18. Doorslammer

    Doorslammer Active Member

    Once again, thanks a lot for all the inputs an answers. I really appreciate it:).
     
  19. Doorslammer

    Doorslammer Active Member

  20. Doorslammer

    Doorslammer Active Member

    Bad Boattail: the speedometer has both kph and mph. I have enclosed a picture.
     

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