Can anyone please translate my plate?
October 11th, 2023, 07:54 PM
#2
Oldsdruid
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Southside Vajenya
Posts: 10,300
•74- 1974 model year
•A- A body
•J- Cutlass Supreme
•57- notchback coupe
•086877R- Arlington TX assembly plant job number
•969- Saddle vinyl interior trim
•A51- bucket seats
•55-55- Colonial Gold upper and lower body color. Doesn't appear to have had a vinyl roof which is unusual for a 1970s GM car.
•11B- built 2nd week of November 1973
No idea what 080274 is, unless Arlington was using number codes for options like Fremont CA plant did.
My guess is your VIN is 3AJ57_4Rxxxxxx depending which engine it has. K is a 350 4 barrel single exhaust, M is a dual exhaust 350, and T, U or V would be a 455.
•A- A body
•J- Cutlass Supreme
•57- notchback coupe
•086877R- Arlington TX assembly plant job number
•969- Saddle vinyl interior trim
•A51- bucket seats
•55-55- Colonial Gold upper and lower body color. Doesn't appear to have had a vinyl roof which is unusual for a 1970s GM car.
•11B- built 2nd week of November 1973
No idea what 080274 is, unless Arlington was using number codes for options like Fremont CA plant did.
My guess is your VIN is 3AJ57_4Rxxxxxx depending which engine it has. K is a 350 4 barrel single exhaust, M is a dual exhaust 350, and T, U or V would be a 455.
October 12th, 2023, 07:00 AM
#3
Old(s) Fart
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 47,366
October 12th, 2023, 09:32 AM
#5
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,025
What is the raised casting number on the flat surface next to the oil fill tube, behind the water pump?
What raised casting # or letter are the heads? Look to the left of the #1 spark plug (drivers side).
There is a machined flat pad on the block by the #1 spark plug, it can be hidden by the power steering bracket. What #'s and letters are on it? Do the last 6 numbers on that block pad match the last 6 of the VIN?
What raised casting # or letter are the heads? Look to the left of the #1 spark plug (drivers side).
There is a machined flat pad on the block by the #1 spark plug, it can be hidden by the power steering bracket. What #'s and letters are on it? Do the last 6 numbers on that block pad match the last 6 of the VIN?
October 12th, 2023, 09:50 AM
#6
Running On Empty
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Earth
Posts: 18,149
Unless I'm off my rocker (this happens) don't we just need to confirm the VIN number? The fifth character of the VIN will tell you what engine it came with from the factory. Post a picture of your VIN plate from the dash placard.
October 12th, 2023, 10:26 AM
#9
Oldsdruid
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Southside Vajenya
Posts: 10,300
Right. All we need are the first seven characters of the VIN on the dash. 3J57M4R for example. That will tell you what engine was factory installed in your car.
Go by the info SugarBear has given you and that will tell you what engine is currently installed in the car. Though I think odds are good it probably still has its original engine. Those 70s Olds engines were tough, and had to really be abused to fail and need replacement. They ARE prone to timing chain and gear failures at 100,000 miles or more.
Plus, using that ID info, you're learning about Oldsmobile engines and how they did things.
*edit* the K in your VIN shows the car came with a 350 4-barrel with single exhaust. Very common and reliable drivetrain. Should have a Turbo HydraMatic 350 transmission behind it.
Go by the info SugarBear has given you and that will tell you what engine is currently installed in the car. Though I think odds are good it probably still has its original engine. Those 70s Olds engines were tough, and had to really be abused to fail and need replacement. They ARE prone to timing chain and gear failures at 100,000 miles or more.
Plus, using that ID info, you're learning about Oldsmobile engines and how they did things.
*edit* the K in your VIN shows the car came with a 350 4-barrel with single exhaust. Very common and reliable drivetrain. Should have a Turbo HydraMatic 350 transmission behind it.
Last edited by rocketraider; October 12th, 2023 at 10:33 AM.
October 12th, 2023, 12:55 PM
#13
Oldsdruid
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Southside Vajenya
Posts: 10,300
That's what we're here for. I'm guessing the Cutlass is older than you are. Can't expect new Olds owners to know everything. No stupid questions except the ones you don't ask. Ask, and somebody here can probably answer.
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