That engine looks like it has had an interesting history. Buick would have stamped the last 8 characters of the car's VIN on a machined pad on the left front face of the block, near the head. The 187111695 does not relate to any Buick VIN though.
Could not relate it to any Jeep VINs of the era by using old NADA Used Car Value Guides from the late '60s. Jeepsters with 8701 and 8705 model nos looked to be close. Nothing popped up for a model 8711.
According to old Chilton repair manuals, Buick 350s used in Jeeps had a three-letter engine production code such as KPO for '68 2-bbl models. By that logic, one would expect this unit to have a KPP code.
As expected the Buick part number for the 2-bbl intake manifold 1231379 shows up in the '72 Jeep parts price list. The 4-bbl manifold 1231380 does not appear.
So maybe it was a regular replacement engine as sold by the dealerships. The '68 Buick Master Parts list printed 12/67 (near the time this one was built) shows complete 350 engines with carb in 2-bbl/4-bbl and manual/automatic transmission configurations. The 4-bbl auto part no was
1395914. While the 4-bbl manual was
1395913.
Still these part nos do not resemble the number found on the block. A Buick service bulletin to dealers that year indicates replacement engines have their own serial numbers for tracking purposes. But the numbering system is not explained. Don't think a replacement engine of this era has turned up on this site yet.
Does the transmission look like it came with the 350? By '68 Buick was stamping partial VINs on the transmissions. We can examine those numbers to see if anything else comes to light. Similarly, the carb and distributor part numbers, if original, may prove interesting.
The idea of a 2-year old test mule running around with a new engine seems plausible. With few annual model changes around then, a new vehicle every year may not have been necessary. It would have saved money for the smaller manufacturers. It would also throw off snoopers trying to get the scoop on possible future models. Maybe it's been an Ohio car for its entire life since being built there?
The very low serial number adds to the possibility of being a test vehicle. Up to 1965, Buick and some other GM divisions started off their regular vehicle production serial numbers at 1001. A few experimental cars that had serial numbers and have survived show numbers like 0993 etc.
P.S.: Would you be the famous Jim Allen, author of numerous books and articles on Jeeps and 4-Wheeling?
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