topstorey

After reading up here, I've discovered the 350 in my '72 four door is from '77-'80 with a block code of 557752 3B.

I then found the engine stamp which is 3AE312739. The last 6 of course don't match the last 6 of the VIN of the car.

I know 3 is OLDS and E means produced in Linden NJ.

Does the A stand for '78? In researching I found starting in '68 it went by number (8=68, 9=69, 0=70, ..., 4=74, 5=75, 6=76, etc.), so I'm assuming A would be for '78 and letters increased until the year '90 in the second spot.

If I'm reading it right, it's a 350, from a '78 model Olds I'll never know?

Octania

I then found the engine stamp which is 3AE312739
==========
picture of that?
Maybe 38E312739 ??

3A heads and 3B block indicate 77-80 or so 350

Is there a number on the oil fill tube?
Carb number will help too if it's OEM

hurst68olds

I think you have most of it correct ..... but the "A" is 1980.

topstorey

It's an "A" in that second spot. I checked it 2-3 times thinking it was an 8 that wasn't clean to see.

The block says 3B, and the heads say 3A, the oil tube starts with a 2 and I know that refers to '72, but I think whoever switched it out needed a filler tube and pulled the original from the old motor.

Hurst-thanks for the '80 reference. Do you know where I can find that? Also wondering, if it refers to an '80 then what was the second character for '78 and '79?

Thanks to you both for your help.

joe_padavano

This is correct. GM used the "8" for 1978 and the "9" for 1979. 1980 is when they changed to letters for the year designation in the VIN and VIN derivative.

You can get VIN cards that decode all GM VINs from 1972 to present here:

http://service.gm.com/dealerworld/vincards/

topstorey

Much appreciated, thank you all.