Gents, I have a 1958 Apache sitting on what I have been told was a 1980 Delta 88, but I have come to find the motor was a 73-74 SBO 350. It has now come time to order parts and such and I need to know what I am working with.
I found on the frame 2 304 on the drivers side frame rail and 2 312 on the passengers. Anybody with any ideas?

Also on the rear diff/axle I found ACO 311

Thanks for any help.

 

Are you looking for parts for the engine or the chassis? Any Olds 350 will bolt into an 80s B-body frame, so it's entirely possible that the engine is a different year than the frame. You can tell the year of the engine by looking at the VIN derivative stamping that's located on a small machined pad on the block below the No. 1 exhaust port. See attached file.

The second character of the VIN derivative will be the year. 8=1968, 0=1970, 3=1973, etc.

 

If It is indeed an 80's delta 88 frame the numbers should be between the rear upper control arms on the rear vertical frame tray.

 

Thanks for the replys. My frame looks nothing like that posted by J-Chi, and I already decoded the engine. Now it is time to order parts for the chassis.
Does anybody know of a link or book that describes the years that big changes were made and in which models they were made. Maybe that way I can pick away until I have some idea.
The numbers I found on the frame were on the outside of the frame to the rear of the centerline of the frame. It has coil springs all around and a sway bar in the rear running right behind the rear diff. Discs front and drums rear, a rear fill for the gas tank, and the 350 has a th350 mated up.
Once again thanks for any help, glad to see I had some responses already.

 

keep in mind that the frame is upside down in the picture

 

There should be a VIN derivative on the top of the LH frame rail behind the rear axle. That would at least tell you the year.

 

Alright, I went and took another look now. Its a little harder to spot. I found 2 313 from J-Chi's spot.
So I have 2 304 on the drivers side frame rail, 2 313 on the rear vertical frame tray, and a 2 312 on the passengers frame rail.
Now what does this mean?

 

bump

 

If you post pictures someone might recognize it. Those numbers aren't enough.

 

Alright... first, thanks for the help.
I finally read up enough to measure the wheel base, I crossed that with the capacity of the fuel tank with the info off of the olds encyclopedia. With it having a 73' 350 SBO and the numbers gathered I concluded it was a 73' Cutlass Coup. I've ordered all the suspension, steering, and brake components to completely rebuild the front and rear. We'll see if they all fit.