Where IS that engine number and what format should it be in? I beleive the engine is a TA400 (its not the 403 cos it hasnt got the giant oil filler tube). I was told front left of the block just below the head but all I can see there is PWH (or simular - I forget) but I expected to find an exact match for my VIN No (assuming the engine is orignal). Am I looking in the wrong place? Have I found it and dont know how to read it? Should it match my body VIN??
Thanks in advance!
PWH is a 1979 400 engine. YOu're looking for:
29N123456 or 29L123456 where 123456 matches the numbers in your VIN. If so, it's the original engine.Joe--ASE Certified Parts Specialist & 10th Ann.Club Tech Director '80 Carousel Red Turbo T/A, 26k orig. '79 "Y89" 400/4 speed 10th Ann. T/A, 57k orig '84 Olds 88 Royale Bgm 2 dr, 307 "Rocket" (lol), 141k and still going.... '80 T/A project car...
OK - great to hear its a 79 400 thanks!
Thanks also for the format of the number - but where is it?! Now I have found the PWH should it be stamped there? Somewhere else?
PWH= upper RH of the engine. If you found it, it's in the right place. LOL.
The other #s are on the bottom behind the timing cover on the RH side of the block running vertically on a pad/stamped boss in most cases. May be VERY faint, get out your degreaser and clean really good!
Joe--ASE Certified Parts Specialist & 10th Ann.Club Tech Director '80 Carousel Red Turbo T/A, 26k orig. '79 "Y89" 400/4 speed 10th Ann. T/A, 57k orig '84 Olds 88 Royale Bgm 2 dr, 307 "Rocket" (lol), 141k and still going.... '80 T/A project car...
Sorry for the delay - only just started using Outlook for newsgroups and it foxed me by deleting messages over 5 days old!
Thanks Joe - I found the engine number - I needed wire wool, solvent and to practically do a hand stand but its there AND its the orignal engine :o)
The reason for my concern is that my UK bound T/A is on 'Q' plates. In the UK a car is alocated a letter which forms part of its number plate and refers to the year of registration - if a car's year cannot be determined (kit car, re-shell etc) it becomes a Q. Now I was sure this car shouldnt be a Q and sure enough the V5 (UK registration document) has the VIN and engine numbers written down wrong. Now I have the info to try and get it fixed. This will add to the resale value, help with the insurance and stop every man and his dog telling me my beautiful original T/A is probably a trashed firebird and stolen camero welded together down the middle!
Good to hear. I'm sure there aren't many 400/4 speeds on that side of the pond.
Ya can ask 'em what a Camero is because I surely have no idea. I DO know what a Camaro is :).
Joe--ASE Certified Parts Specialist & 10th Ann.Club Tech Director '80 Carousel Red Turbo T/A, 26k orig. '79 "Y89" 400/4 speed 10th Ann. T/A, 57k orig '84 Olds 88 Royale Bgm 2 dr, 307 "Rocket" (lol), 141k and still going.... '80 T/A project car...
You don't actually need to supply the engine no for the v5, I'm not so sure how you go on with the vin/chassis no. being wrong though.
However, if it's just the engine no. thats wrong, you can just send of the v5 with the engine change part filled in with the new No., and they should update it. I did this when I changed the 6 pot in my '78 Camaro for a 350, although i didn't bother to supply the engine no.
Hope that makes sense
Thanks T.C. - I'm more wondering how they work out the age of the vehicle when it arrives - if they record VIN and engine number wrong its not going to match up to anybodys records which could be one reason for the Q. Ohh well it all got sent off to DVLA yesterday so I'll let you know in about 8 weeks!
Re Joe's comment on Camero / Camaro - these things often happen when typing American words on a British keyboard - I think its a bug in Windows or something ;o)
If you want your vehicle to be given an age-related mark you must submit your V5 document to your Local DVLA Office (not DVLA Swansea), along with proof of age of the vehicle, preferably from an owner's club or the manufacturer. The local office will probably wish to inspect the vehicle also, then they will consider giving a non-Q plate. Hope this helps, any queries give us a call at the DVLA customer enquiries.
RyanCTJ
Thanks Ryan, DVLA have asked me to send it all to Swansea but maybe thats just for the VIN# and Engine#. I figured it would make sense for them to inspect the car but if I have to take it to them it'll have to wait a while 'cos she hasn't turned a wheel yet! I got the Pontiac Historical Services pack for the T/A which I hope proves the age - decoding the VIN also pins it as 79 so hopefully I'll be able to convince them.
Just for the UK guys amusement and the USA guys bemusement: DVLA, having had the docs for almost a full month finally left a message on my answer phone today to ring them urgently. The number they left doesn't work.... The worrying things are a) I'm not in the least surprised and b) I really hope they don't loose my V5!
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