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- Buick Engine Identification, by the numbers
- Visually Identifying a 1960's or '70's GM engine
- Big Block Buick Casting Numbers
- Decoding US and Canadian Buicks
- U.S. Engine Production Codes for 1935-1976 Engines
- 1935-1964 Canadian car identification here: Serial Numbers
- 1965-1966 Canadian car identification here: Serial Numbers
- Canadian Buick Serial Numbers 1958-1964
- 1970-1976 Buick Production Options and Codes
71 GS Engine - 350 or 455
- Thread starter Jelly50
- Start date
A 350 has six valve cover bolts holding it to the head.
A 455 has five.
Tom T.
A 455 has five.
Tom T.
Canadian Buick Mogul
Member
Looking at the Vehicle Identification section under 1971 on this site's reference material, I don't believe one can tell if the car had 350 or 455 from the factory.
The digits in the VIN mean the following:
4 - Buick
34 - GS (No distinction whether 350 or 455)
67 - Convertible
1 - 1971
H - Flint Assembly Plant
191514 - Production number
The digits in the VIN mean the following:
4 - Buick
34 - GS (No distinction whether 350 or 455)
67 - Convertible
1 - 1971
H - Flint Assembly Plant
191514 - Production number
I already gave him a very easy way to identify between a 350 & a 455 three days ago.
Tom T.
Tom T.
but that doesn't confirm that there hasn't been an engine swap, Tom.
I think you should with the seller arrange for an inspection at a shop where the vehicle is hoisted up and you can take all the pictures you can get. Get the engine ID number for sure and compare it to the VIN. I would also get numbers on the transmission. Clearly state that you want to get a second opinion on authencity and condition. Even though the seller is selling I'm sure they'd want to know about your discovery if they are true fan of the car.
One way to tell if the engine has been swapped is if there is new hardware on the engine that is not year correct. An original engine will have all of its hardware with designated markings on the head to the year of the vehicle build. If it has "U" it is Made In USA hardware, but I don't know if it is from 71. The early production had "U" inside a circle and later did not. On my 63 for example I have several designations, "U," "A," "AP," "TR," "e", "L5,"for example on my bolts. I think the "TR" is for Rochester.
One way to tell if the engine has been swapped is if there is new hardware on the engine that is not year correct. An original engine will have all of its hardware with designated markings on the head to the year of the vehicle build. If it has "U" it is Made In USA hardware, but I don't know if it is from 71. The early production had "U" inside a circle and later did not. On my 63 for example I have several designations, "U," "A," "AP," "TR," "e", "L5,"for example on my bolts. I think the "TR" is for Rochester.