2.4L LE5 Performance Tech 16 valve 171 hp EcoTec with 163 lb-ft of torque
View Poll Results: Do your numbers match?
Yes my VIN and Engine Serial Number Match
2
28.57%
No my VIN and Engine Serial Number doesn't match.
5
71.43%
Voters: 7. You may not vote on this poll

VIN Number and Engine Serial Number Don't Match?

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Old Dec 29, 2007 | 11:56 PM
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Question VIN Number and Engine Serial Number Don't Match?

I noticed that my SS/NA's VIN number and engine serial number don't match. I checked 2 other SS/NA cars and the numbers didn't match either. I guess GM is not "matching" numbers anymore? In the future how can you prove it's the engine that came with your car?

Anybody else notice this? I wonder if it's the same with the 2.2 and 2.0?

Engine serial number is located on the oil filter housing.
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Old Dec 30, 2007 | 12:25 AM
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i never thought to worry about it. but i guess ill check in the morning for ya
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Old Dec 30, 2007 | 12:32 AM
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Originally Posted by bryce712
i never thought to worry about it. but i guess ill check in the morning for ya
Not trying to make a big deal out of this. Just used to hearing "matching numbers" when looking at old cars when referring to original equipment.
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Old Dec 30, 2007 | 12:37 AM
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From: Dayton, O HI O
maybe there is a database that matches VIN to Engine #... its probably easier to do that way, then to match #'s, because sequencing loads to get matching # sucks...
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Old Dec 30, 2007 | 12:44 AM
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Originally Posted by REIGN SS
maybe there is a database that matches VIN to Engine #... its probably easier to do that way, then to match #'s, because sequencing loads to get matching # sucks...
Make a long story short: when I was installing my ModPer powder coated valve cover I found the wiring on the top of the engine was twisted. After finishing the job I noticed the serial number and checked it against the VIN. At first I thought maybe someone had replaced the engine already because of the wiring being twisted and the numbers didn't match (all my previous GM cars' numbers matched). I went to the local dealer and we checked some cars in the lot and then CED checked my VIN and that is where they can access the engine serial number. In the future selling a car to an individual you might not have access to a VIN decoder to prove to the potential buyer it is the original engine should they be adamant about it.
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Old Dec 30, 2007 | 09:57 AM
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GM hasn't had the cars VIN # stamped into the engine since the 60's. Engine serial #'s and transmission serial #'s have been what ever they throw in it off the line. Its a non issue that you really don't need to worry about.
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Old Dec 30, 2007 | 10:01 AM
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Originally Posted by Jackalope
GM hasn't had the cars VIN # stamped into the engine since the 60's. Engine serial #'s and transmission serial #'s have been what ever they throw in it off the line. Its a non issue that you really don't need to worry about.
You beat me to it.
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Old Dec 30, 2007 | 07:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Jackalope
GM hasn't had the cars VIN # stamped into the engine since the 60's. Engine serial #'s and transmission serial #'s have been what ever they throw in it off the line. Its a non issue that you really don't need to worry about.
My 64, 67, 70, 75, and 88 Buicks all had matching numbers. I hadn't bought a GM car since those so I was surprised by the fact that they stopped matching them. The engine serial number had a 2 digit code that identified the engine and then the last 6 of the VIN number. No, it's not important as long as it's well known -- it was kinda nice to know with out a doubt that it was the original engine. As long as there is a way to identify by serial number that it is the original it's no big deal.
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Old Dec 31, 2007 | 10:21 AM
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Your 64, 67, 70 and maaaaybe even 75 would have had the engine stamping as you described but that 88 I doubt it did. I worked for Buick bach then, from 1989 thru 1992 and I don't remember them having partial VIN's in the engine code. I guess they could have its been awhile and those were Buicks and even tho they are part of GM they aren't Chevy's. I don't think Chevy has done it how your describing since maybe around 1970 or so.

But yeah your right it'd be nice to have SOMEWAY to se if it was the original stuff.
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Old Dec 31, 2007 | 11:01 AM
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it may have something to do with the large amount of Saab parts on the car
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Old Dec 31, 2007 | 10:00 PM
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Originally Posted by kyyankee
it may have something to do with the large amount of Saab parts on the car
LOL! I hadn't thought of that....

OK, Who's the owners that polled that their engine has the same number as their VIN? Just messing around, eh? Don't make a liar out of Jackalope...lol!

Last edited by Red07SSNA; Dec 31, 2007 at 10:00 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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Old Dec 31, 2007 | 10:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Red07SSNA
LOL! I hadn't thought of that....

OK, Who's the owners that polled that their engine has the same number as their VIN? Just messing around, eh? Don't make a liar out of Jackalope...lol!
They're screwing with ya bud.
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Old Dec 31, 2007 | 10:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Jackalope
They're screwing with ya bud.
Honda owners no doubt...lol!
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Old Dec 31, 2007 | 10:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Red07SSNA
Honda owners no doubt...lol!
Probly don'teven know what a VIN is.
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Old Jan 1, 2008 | 07:48 PM
  #15  
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Hey Jackalope check this out -- looks like GM's right hand doesn't know what its' left hand is doing

This is word for word out of the 06 and 07 service manuals -- all engines:

"Engine Identification
Identification can be made through the use of the Broadcast Code label on the engine front cover (1) and the use of the partial VIN etched on the oil filter bowl (2)."

Then under the last item of the Barcode breakdown it states:

"The partial VIN identifies the specific vehicle by sequence number."
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