domskis

I'm in the process of purchasing a 1974 Cutlass with a 455.
the cowl tag has the following:
ST74 3AJ57LAN279043
TR 973 29 D
L0G AM6 21X B34

Can you help confirm if a 455 belonged in the car?

joe_padavano

Nothing on the cowl tag tells you the engine size. The fifth character of the VIN will tell you the engine.

domskis

thanks.
if the car has an original "special order" 455 as the current owner says,
Can i assume the engine stamp will have the last 6 digits of the VIN?

joe_padavano

The 455 was a regular production option for the 1974 model year. There was no "special order". It was no different than selecting any other option like A/C or cruise control.
The VIN derivative stamp on the block and trans case has nine characters. ALL of them need to appear in the 13 character VIN. The first character of the VIN derivative will match the first character of the VIN, and the last eight characters of the VIN derivative will match the last eight of the VIN.
And again, simply look at the fifth character of the VIN to figure out what engine the car was born with.

BangScreech4-4-2

As I stated in response to your other post, you're looking for a T, U or V code in the fifth position of the VIN. An X also designated the W-30 455, but I don't believe that was available in a Cutlass Supreme.

joe_padavano

There was no "X" engine code in the 1974 model year.

rocketraider

Your VIN plate will read: 3J57U if car came with L75 455, and 3J57V if a L76 455. Both 455s came with dual exhaust in the A-body cars. K is 350 single exhaust, M is 350 dual exhaust. All 1974 engines were 4 barrel carb. 4 in 6th position designates 1974 model year and M in 7th position = Lansing assembly plant.

ST74= 1974 model year
AJ= Cutlass Supreme, 57= notchback coupe, LAN= Lansing plant, XXXXXX= Fisher Body sequence number which will likely not match the VIN.
TR973= blue cloth and vinyl interior
PNT 29= Eclipse Blue (dark metallic blue); D= blue vinyl roof cover
AM6= 60/40 divided power seat w/center armrest
B84= body side and front fender mouldings

Can't find LOG or 21X option codes in my books. The 21X has frustrated a lot of us.

*edit* looking closer that's 10G. It's in the time built field but 10G makes no sense as there weren't 7 weeks in October (10). Possibly 10C, 3d week October 1973?

joe_padavano

21X indicates the "Big Four" interior color package. The dash, kick panels, carpet, and parcel shelf (the four items in the "Big Four") were a darker blue than in standard interior cars.

rocketraider

Does that tie into CompatiColor or were all CC cars white interior with the color accents?

My Hurst has 19X with all black interior?

domskis

Thanks for you help with this and all the other responses.

domskis

thanks for your help!

domskis

thank you for your help!

domskis

Thanks.
I have another question...the engine block is 396021F. I was expecting 396021FA.
is it likely that this is not the original engine for the car?

domskis

Joe...I have another question for you:
The engine block is 396021F. I was expecting 396021FA.
is it likely that this is not the original engine for the car?

My preference is having the original engine in the car. Im trying to do my due diligence to ensure that it is.

joe_padavano

Contrary to what you may read on the interwebs, the F blocks were used through the 1974 model year and overlapped with the FA blocks for a couple of years. I personally have an F block (sans-serif, no less) that has a 1973 VIN derivative stamp. It also has an MT crank. The motor appears to not have been taken apart, either.

domskis

thanks for all your help. The information is starting to get me closer to purchasing the vehicle.

One last question:
VIN derivative stamp is located on the pad at the driver's front of the block?

joe_padavano

domskis

you're the best!