GM encodes the engine type in character 8 of the VIN. The following table outlines the various engines encoded there: Engine codes for passenger cars. 2010 Chevy Malibu engine code B, 2.4l Mistake on the engine code M, this M code comes out on the 1995 - 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo and the engine is an RPO L82 3.1 SFI engine. Decoding the ID numbers on Chevy Smallblock motors: (Info compiled Ray Buck ) Since there are several numbers on the block, we need to identify the ones we're gonna use. The first one I usually use is the block casting number which is located at the back of the driver's side cylinder head and will look something like: 3970010.
Finding out what year a Harley Davidson engine was made can be important for a number of reasons. However, decoding an engine’s vehicle identification number can be challenging and confusing. Hidden within a Harley’s engine VIN will be the year that engine was made. But the decade the engine was made will determine where the year is located on the VIN and what it looks like.
1960s and Older Engines
Look on left side of the engine case for the engine number. Harley engines that were made before or in the 1960s have the model year of the engine as the first two numbers of the engine number, which acts as a VIN.
Look for a four-digit production code in the last four digits of the VIN. For engines built between 1962 and 1969, there was a system put into the VIN to prevent tampering with or changing numbers in order to sell the engine as something it is not. The first number of the code will be even for even numbered production years and odd for odd numbered production years.
Look for a five-digit production code in the last digits of the VIN. For engines with a production code of five numbers, the first two numbers will be even for even numbered production years and odd for odd numbered production years. If there isn’t a two digit number that corresponds with the year at the beginning of the VIN, the engine was made after 1969.
1970s Engines
Check the last two digits of the VIN. Engines that were put on Harley bikes from 1970 to 1980 have the model year of the engine designated as the last two digits of the VIN number. The second to last digit will be an “H” or 'J' followed by a number.
Find the 'H' or 'J' in the second to last character position of the VIN. If the letter is an 'H', the engine was made somewhere between 1970 and 1979. If the letter is a 'J', the engine was made in 1980.
Look at the number that follows. This number corresponds to the last number of the year it was made. For example, an engine VIN ending in “H7” will be an engine produced in 1977. If the VIN doesn’t end with an “H” and a number or “J0”, it was made after 1980.
1980s and 1990s Engines
Look at the end of the VIN for a letter. Harley engines made between 1981 and 2000 have a 10-digit VIN which was abbreviated from the 17-digit VIN that was stamped on the frame of the bike. The last digit of the VIN designates the model year with a letter.
Decode Gm Engine Serial Number
Look for letters B through K for engines produced from 1981 to 1989. The letter 'B' designates the production year of 1981; C-1982; D-1983; E-1984; F-1985; G-1986; H-1987; J-1988; and K-1989. Ftdichip cdm driver package.
Letters 'L' through 'Y' are for engines produced from 1990 through 2000. An 'L' designates an engine made in 1990; M-1991; N-1992; P-1993; R-1994; S-1995; T-1996; V-1997; W-1998; X-1999; and Y-2000. If there isn’t a letter at the end of the VIN, the engine was made after 2000.
2000s Engines
Check the 10th digit in the VIN. For engines that were made after 2001, the 10th digit reflects the last digit of the last year. For example, if the 10th digit of the VIN is “4”, the engine was made in 2004.
Check the 11th character position for a “J”, “T”, “Y” or “K.” This letters signifies the plant where the Harley Davidson was manufactured.
Check if the letter is a 'J'. This means the engine was made in Milwaukee, WI. The letter 'T' means it was made in Tomahawk, WI; Y-York, PA; and K- Kansas City, KS.
Every GM engine is stamped with an eight-digit code. When you translate this information, you can find out when and where the engine was made. In addition, the engine suffix can be cross-referenced to verify the year and body style of the vehicle the engine was built for. The engine code is different than the longer VIN number, which includes information on the model, body style and assembly plant.
Step 1
Locate the engine block code. This series of seven to eight digits begins with a letter and is stamped directly on the engine. Look behind the distributor on the passenger side of the block if it is a six- cylinder GM motor. On a small block GM V8, it is stamped in front of the cylinder head on the passenger side. The code is stamped above the timing chain cover on big block V8 engines.
Step 2
Wipe any grease or dirt off the code to make sure you read each digit correctly. Check that you can see the entire engine block stamp.
Step 3
Look at the first digit, which will be a capital letter. This letter refers to the plant that manufactured the engine. There are seven different GM plant codes: F for Flint, H for Hydramatic, K for St. Catherines, Ontario, M for GM of Mexico, S for Saginaw Service, T for Tonawanda and V for Flint.
Step 4
Decode Toyota Engine Serial Number
Read the next four digits in the code, which will be all numbers. This refers to the date that the engine was cast. The first two numbers are the month, and the last two are the day. For example, if the numbers read 0107, then the engine was cast on January 7.
Mopar Engine Serial Number Decoder
Look at the remaining portion of the code. This will be two or three digits, and could include both numerals and letters; typically it is three capital letters. Find your suffix in a GM engine code reference. For example, if your code is 'CMP,' then the reference indicates this is a 305 engine with 240 horsepower. It was built for a 1991 Pontiac Firebird and included the L98 automatic transmission and tuned port injection. If there is more than one entry for your suffix code, then use the engine block casting date code to identify the year of the engine and identify the correct suffix entry.
chrome engine image by Thomas Czeizinger from Fotolia.com