Can someone help me decode the build date "2b3" for this 1971 455. I think the b=February and 3= 3rd day of the month, but what does the 2 mean? Thanks, Marc
I don't think that is a date code??? But if it is: "2" Year, "b" for the Month, "3" 3rd day, or vice versa. I thought I read somewhere the this was a shift code(so GM could trace a problem to a specific shift and/or worker).o No: Not to mention, your vin is on the block, so we know it isn't a 72 or 73.:Smarty: But you do bring up a great point, what in the world does the it stand for?????o No: It is also strange that the "b" is not "B". I started looking at my 71, it starts with a "2b" also, but I cannot make out the last number or digit. It appears to be a lower case "i", but I'm only guessing. It certainly does NOT look like a number though.
Looks like 263 to me - It represents the shift at Flint that assembled the motor. This code would cross-reference to the P-O-P. Probably sometime in spring 1972
Yes, Marco this number is the same on both my protect-o-plate and my block... Doesnt the"263" somehow relate to the Julian calendar?
It is definitely a 1971 455 gs engine. I know the car and it's history. The mystery continues..................
Hey Marc - What other mysteries are you trying to solve? Did you find the VIN on this block? BTW - Are you coming to Englishtown at the end of this month?
P-O-P & engine build code the same??? How could that possibly be? The P-O-P was made at the Fischer plant & placed in the glove box. Then the body was sent to the Flint final assembly plant, where the drive train was installed. Glenn, I don't see a 263 on your code following the "SS". I do see a 293 following the "BB" though.o No: Also, I have never seen a "6" look like that. And if it is a "6", then my last digit must be a "1" because it has the exact SAME little bar at the top, and cannot be mistaken for any other #. But I don't believe that is a six. The "2" & "3" are normal looking numbers, why make a six totally different? Is the vin on the front of the block?
Re: P-O-P & engine build code the same??? Dan - Glenn's engine production code stamped on the P-O-P is 204, not 263. I would venture a guess and say Glenn's engine was assembled earlier in the model year than the motor in Marc's post. Glenn's car is a '12B' build date for the 1970 model year. I'm unsure of the build date on Marc's car in the 1971 model year. I believe mine (it's been a while and I don't have my documentation in front of me) is either 158 or 178 engine production code for an 11D car in the 1970 model year. Anyone have the Jan/Feb GS-X-Tra from 1997? Please look this up and and post it. I don't believe Buick used the alphabetic character 'I' in any date codes due to the fact it can be misread as a '1'. I agree with you Dan - your motor looks like a '1' as the last digit.
Hey Dan... I don't know the how, when, or why but the exact SS and 204 shown on my protect-o-plate is also stamped on my original engine block...the Vin is there also. Further, the BB and 293 is also stamped on the transmission tag...as is the Vin on the opposite side of the trans case... This stamping of parts and plates must have been very difficult to keep up with, considering the number of cars built each day!
Glenn, you lost me... Your engine is "SS" with "204" --------------------------------------------------- Your trans is "BB" with "293":bglasses: I also noticed your P-O-P is the two piece with smaller digits than later 70's and 71. GM must have changed during the middle of 70... But to me, this thread belongs in the Paper trail....We are probably boring the heck out of some people.ou: Glenn, can you get us a picture of the code and vin on the deck? I'd like to see it.:TU:
Typing to fast...I'll slow down next time Your right guy's wrong forum..and don't want to highjack this thread...maybe someone can move this and we can get back to helping Marc. I'll get a good picture of the block. (It's out of the car)
Marc, apologies for another off topic reply. I've been wanting to buy a digital camera. Would like to know what model you have that takes such sharp close up photos? Figure if I start a new thread you might not read it. Thank you.
Ok guy's here are pictures of the block and transmission # from my 70 Stage 1. Maybe it will help others to document there cars. First the Block...
Ahhhhh, the ever apparent "scrape marks" on the ID plate! If I'd known I was going to maul my ID plate on my BA tranny with a scraper years ago I'd have used a solvent instead. ou:
Yep its ugly Ken...prolly why the stamped them as well...a little harder to damage...it was like this when I got it... Thought about removing all the paint because it looks so crapy...
