Here’s an email from a lady who understands the value of knowing what the cowl trim tag and suffix codes on her 63 Impala are going to mean\u00a0for the value of her car.<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\u00a0<\/p>\n

Hi Carl
\nI have a 1963 impala and we just got the motor pulled out.\u00a0 This is the info I have, of course I have done the basic vin decodes.\u00a0It’s not an SS but is a 283 V8.\u00a0 I guess I’m really trying to figure out if it is the true number matching motor and tranny?\u00a0 Or is that possible to tell?
\nI found your posts on the Impala Project and I’m hoping you can help me.\u00a0 This car is in really great shape and supposedly the original motor and tranny.\u00a0The Tranny does say power glide on the side of it.\u00a0 Again any help would be great.
\nThanks so much,
\nLisa
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n

1963 Impala<\/p>\n

Vin #31847S314xxx
\nCowl Tag<\/p>\n

Style 63-1847\u00a0 Body SL 82789<\/p>\n

Trim 874\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 ACC\u00a0 EK\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Paint 900<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

In the casting of the back of the Engine Block # 3834812
\nBack of the Motor Casting on Top #3840905
\nSide of the Block # W 53\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 812<\/p>\n

Left Side Tab of the bell housing\u201d2F\u201d
\nBack of the Tranny Tail Serial #3789080<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Hi Lisa,<\/p>\n

GM did not match engine serial numbers to vehicle VINs til 65. The block
\ncasting number 3834812 was used for a few years in the early 60’s. The
\nintake casting number 3840905 was used in 64 and 65, really not unusual
\nto see previous or later year casting numbers on another year though. Parts
\nwere interchangeable to GM. If they had them in stock, they would use
\nthem.<\/p>\n

The most important number to start with is called the suffix code. It’s
\nnot really a number but a letter suffix at the end of a series of
\nnumbers stamped on the block.<\/p>\n

You’ll find the suffix code stamped on the block deck, in front of the
\npassenger side cylinder head near the water pump.<\/p>\n

Send me the suffix code. It should end in a “D” for 63 with a 195HP 283
\nw\/PG. There are others for that year but they are all for 3 speed manual
\nversions.<\/p>\n

Carl<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Thank you so much for your help!!!<\/p>\n

The Suffix Code is F072DK,\u00a0 I hope it’s not bad it ends with a K instead of the D.\u00a0I Also figured out on the Tranny the number I gave I think is just the P\/N.\u00a0\u00a0 I found a date of\u00a01\/64 and so I’m assuming it was manufactured in Jan of 64.\u00a0 Again you help is so greatly appreciated.
\nLisa<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Carl King said:
\n> It appears dual character suffix codes were used as well. DK was used for
\n> several years, but the 63 Impala 283 with air conditioning is designated
\n> by this code as well.
\n>
\n> I’d say it’s safe to assume your motor is original. Make sure they retain
\n> all the clips and special screws and bolts that need to be removed to get
\n> the engine out. A lot of mechanics will overlook what they perceive to be
\n> trivial things like that. The end result is devaluing the car if they are
\n> not put back in place.
\n>
\n> Every little piece matters.
\n>
\n> Carl<\/p>\n

Lisa,<\/p>\n

Do you mind if I use this email thread on my blog? I always like to ask
\nfirst.<\/p>\n

Carl
\nHi Carl
\nNot at all, that would be great.\u00a0 This was so helpful, and if it could help someone else.
\nFantastic…\u00a0 hey thanks again.
\nLisa<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Here’s an email from a lady who understands the value of knowing what the cowl trim tag and suffix codes on her 63 Impala are going to mean\u00a0for the value of her car. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\u00a0 Hi Carl I have a 1963 impala and we just got the motor pulled out.\u00a0 This is the info I have, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[26,101,27],"class_list":["post-30","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-suffix-codes","tag-chevy-small-block-suffix-code","tag-cowl-trim-tag","tag-decode-cowl-tag"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.classiccarauto.com\/wordpress2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.classiccarauto.com\/wordpress2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.classiccarauto.com\/wordpress2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.classiccarauto.com\/wordpress2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.classiccarauto.com\/wordpress2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/www.classiccarauto.com\/wordpress2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":332,"href":"http:\/\/www.classiccarauto.com\/wordpress2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30\/revisions\/332"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.classiccarauto.com\/wordpress2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.classiccarauto.com\/wordpress2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.classiccarauto.com\/wordpress2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}