Legit Nova?

[Steven]

Hi all! Have a 71 Nova, and I'm trying to see if this is the original engine that came factory with it. Have been told it is, but still just concerned.

VIN: 1X27K4W173898
Engine: 3914678

If anyone knows of a website that can help, much thanks! BTW 90% of the vehicle history report sites don't know the VIN number, they just come back saying invalid VIN. Which of course is wrong.

TIA, Steve

[mander]

That vin doesn't look right according to here. http://www.carfax.com/cfm/check_order.cfm?affiliateID=1091&bannername=big_vbox_form&partner=kow_e&subID=cdvc&VIN=1X27K4W173898&search.x=42&search.y=3

Sorry, but the VIN you entered is incorrect.

Please check the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) you entered, 1X27K4W173898, for accuracy and try again below.

http://www.cardetective.com/vin-check.html

[Al_Kendrick]

BTW 90% of the vehicle history report sites don't know the VIN number, they just come back saying invalid VIN. Which of course is wrong.

TIA, Steve

No it is correct

The VIN must be exactly 17 characters in length.

[Mouse]

This is what I found from the engine casting number (http://www.nastyz28.com/sbchevy/sblock.html#casting). :)

Years Casting CID Low Power High Power Main Caps Comments
1968 3914678 302 290 290 2/4 Camaro, Z-28
1968 3914678 327 210 350 2 car & truck
1968 3914678 350 295 295 2 Camaro/ChevyII

[Steven]

Awsome, thanks for speedy responses people. I did find out the engine is not the origional, but now my question moves to; how can I find out if the Nova is an SS model? it's near impossible to tell from the VIN (without the origional bill of sale) and the only thing I could dig up aside from the SS badges on the car, which can be easily faked, was that the SS's had power front disc brakes in 71.

[mander]

If you wrote that vin down from behind the windshield, double check it and report back. As stated, its not long enough to be valid.

[Mouse]

It might be obscured on purpose to hide the fact that it's a 68.

Run like hell if it doesn't have front disks.

EDIT: Sorry, you already have it don't you. :hsh:

Never mind.

[Steven]

lol yes it has front disc... I got the VIN over the phone, i'm going to have a look at it sometime. It's my uncles car, he dosen't know if it is an SS, I told him I would see what I could find on the net.
He possibly misread the VIN to me, but regardless i'll see tomorrow.

[Mouse]

Then check the engine casting number too, because that says 1968.

[T_Totler]

What about consulting with members of a "Chevy Nova" club?? :

I found this through google >> http://novaresource.org/

Just a thought :)

[Dr.Dan]

GM Canada will (should) have documentation if this is originally a Canadian car ;)

You might want to check out (or ask) the Nova forums
http://www.stevesnovasite.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=47

[Lesster]

Steven, I will take your VIN to work with me tomorrow, I work at a GM dealership service dept. (since '87) and have some fairly old info around, will try to find anything I can for you.

VIN's previous to 1981 had only 13 digits. If I remember correctly, the very first digit is the model year of the vehicle.

Starting in 1981 they had 17 digits, the year is determined by the 10th digit as follows:
B = 1981
C = 1982
D = 1983
E = 1984
F = 1985
G = 1986
H = 1987 ("I" wasn't used as it could too easily be confused with the # 1)
J = 1988
K = 1989
L = 1990
M = 1991
N = 1992 (the letter "O" wasn't used)
P = 1993 ("Q" wasn't used)
R = 1994
S = 1995
T = 1996 ("U" wasn't used)
V = 1997
W = 1998
X = 1999
Z or 0 = 2000 (I can't recall when it was switched to numbers)
1 = 2001
2 = 2002
3 = 2003 ... and so on...

I used to have a Ford with the VIN: 1FABP43F7EZ128191. It was an '84 Crown Victoria. The sad thing is I still know that VIN off by heart and I haven't had that car since 1993 when it became a taxi in our area. Working around autos does strange things to the brain.

[Steven]

Thanks much! I got alot of info from Novaresource, and it seems that it's extremley difficult to find out if it was an SS if it dosen't have the factory engine. Thank you very much Lesster, see what you can dig up!

[Lesster]

The VIN says this is NOT a 1971. The 6th digit is the year.

VIN breakdown:

1 - Chevrolet Division
X - Nova
2 & 7 denote the body style

K - Engine code ... 350 c.i.d. 4 bbl V8
4 - This means that VIN belongs to either a 1964 or a 1974
W - The Plant code is Willow Run

173898 is the sequence number.

There are 2 ways to verify SS status:
1. The Vehicle R.P.O. List from GM (obtainable for about $40 by calling GM .. try 1-800-263-3777)
or
2. The original "Broadcast Sheet" which is usually rolled up and stuffed into the springs of the base of the rear seat or the springs of the rear seat back rest.

The engine # supplied is the engine casting # and appears to have come from a 1968 350 c.i.d. (also ???? could be a 327 c.i.d. I was told??)

Extra info: Actual SS had a grille emblem, and fender & trunk decals.

Hope this helps, Lesster

[lbjgh]

hehe, I was just gonna suggest this spot for info... I had a '71 Nova but it was a six to eight conversion. :)


or
2. The original "Broadcast Sheet" which is usually rolled up and stuffed into the springs of the base of the rear seat or the springs of the rear seat back rest.

[Mouse]

I'm thinkin' the Uncle is not the original owner, and he bought the car after conversion.

It would be nice to have closure on this thread. ;)

[Steven]

Wow I forgot about this post. Been over a year, car is well on its way to being restored. I don't fully know if it was an SS, I don't think my uncle took the time to really look.
Doesn't matter because most of the car has to be replaced anyway (floopan, angine, trans, fenders etc)