Need help on a 1963 buick Lesabre 2door convertible engine code and body data plate

[Darwin]

Hello to everyone
I'm new to this site
MY father just got a 1963 buick Lesabre 2door convertible with a 401 nailhead, 280hp engine, with matching engine and vin numbers, with 67,511 miles on it. This is his restore project which I'm helping him with, I need some help on the engine production code which is JR666. I know what the JR means and the three numbers are the assy date for the engine, but how or where do I find to decode the three numbers for the date. also we have not found the body data plate it's not on the fire wall or fenders, is there any other place buick could have put the data plate.

Thank you
Darwin

 

[bob k. mando]

so far as i know, the three digit number that GM typically used for production date corresponded to the specific day of the year and couldn't be higher than 366 for a leap year. ie - Feb 1 would be listed as 032 and the end of Feb would be either 060 for Feb 29 or 059 for Feb 28.


https://www.teambuick.com/reference/years/63/63_body_number.php

 

[TODD]

Some Chevy parts books show a component part date code that spans two calendar years for a given car model year. For 1963 models, the Julian (day of year) calendar would begin at Jan. 1, 1962 with 001. The end would be on Dec. 31, 1963 with 730. Parts would have typically been manufactured from about July, 1962 through July, 1963.

There's still problems with this numbering scheme, as 666 would indicate very late Oct, 1963 (well into the '64 model year). If Buick somehow ran a 3-year date code sequence on engines beginning Jan. 1, 1961, then 666 would fall in late Oct, 1962. Wish we had the body plate to look at its date code for comparison.

Sometimes a factory paper build sheet can be found in the rear seat springs or under the carpet.

 

[Dr. Frankenbuick]

I have heard it explained that the date code after the production code on a Nailhead is the numerical shift number of the production year. My 65 GS was produced in the first week of August (08A), but has 599 after the LR code. The engine and date code match the Protect-O-Plate: meaning it is not in error or a transplanted engine. It would be nice to say for sure what it represents.

There should be a complete vin number on the front facing frame of the door on the driver side. That should match the partial vin on the driver side of the same surface where you found JR666. That way you can at least see if the engine is original to the car.

 

[Darwin]

images

HI Bob, Todd, and Steve

Thank you for the information
the engine is the org. to the body and frame, numbers match, vin-4J4027699, engine -4J4027699 and the engine production code is JR666, the car is in bad shape but that what's makes it a project.
WE have not found the body plate and it was not mounted on the firewall because there is no holes for the plate or rivets, hopeful we will find it somewhere. I have some images with vin and engine number.

Thank you again any information is a big help
Darwin

 

[Darwin]

images #2

here are the other images

 

[Buford26]

For the trim tag location, check the cowl under the hood instead of the firewall (see attached picture). I've also attached a picture from the 1963 Buick assembly manual showing how Buick described the new engine production codes for 1963.

Your car was built at the Kansas City, KS plant.

4J4027699
4 = Series 4400/LeSabre
J = 1963
4 = built at Kansas City, KS
027699 = sequential number, range for 1963 fullsize cars built at KC was 001001 to 038616


I have data on many cars, the closest car I have to yours is 8J4022095

8 = Series 4800/Electra 225
J = 1963
4 = built at Kansas City, KS
022095 = sequential number

This car has a build date of 03E or March (03) 1963, fifth week (E).


For engines, I have the following data:
Flint built car with JT 591 and build date of 03D
Flint built car with JW 719 and a build date of 05E
Flint built car with JT 778 and a build date of 07A

 

[Darwin]

1963 lesabre data plate

Hello Buford

This is funny Buford is my grandfather and fathers name
thank you for the information which I was able to find the body plate it was on the passage side of the cowl, coverd with aleast a 1/4 inch of dirt. It was build 2 week of May 1963. (05B) production #658, now the paint code is VV 2, what does this mean, and the acc code is 2-13. I still do not understand the date code for the engine JR666, if this is a date code of two years then I have come up with the start date of July 1, 1961, and 666 days later would be Friday April 26, 1963, 6 weeks before the car's build date. I have add the image of the date plate.

thank you for you help
Darwin

 

[Darwin]

Errors

Sorry Buford

I made a couple errors
#1-father
#2- 2-3 weeks before the car build date

Darwin

 

[Buford26]

Trim 470 = Red Vinyl


Paint code VV = solid Granada Red
2 = Black convertible top


2-13 = this notation is unique to the KC plant where a number range and is stamped on the accessory option code line, I've never found a way to decode it

 

[Darwin]

1963 Lesabre

Thank you for you help
Darwin