The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop VIN Doesnt match Tech Tips criteria

Stovebolt tech Tips

Ok guys, still new to the sight, did my searching on the forum and couldnt come up with my answer, so here we go.

I have my door sill tag serial# 101 P S31334A

I used the VIN Decoder on Tech Tips and according to it, My serial # doesnt match the "Letter-Number order" of Series, Model Year, Factory Code, Production Order.

Now, This was all with my "assumption" that I had purchased an "original" 1958 Chevy Stepside. (Shows what I know, Stupid Ebay )

So, I proceded to punch my serial # into the "VIN Buster" It comes up a 1961.

So, "assuming" my "cab" is a 1961, then according to Tech Tips VIN Decoder, a 1961 should fall under a 7 Element, 12 character criteria.

Ok, so now that I have "vented" my confusion, here is a closeup of my serial # plate (Know how you guys like pics)

What am I missing?

57Rat,

That's a GMC tag - isn't the decoder for Chevrolet codes?

Tim

Looks like a 100 series (1/2) ton short bed from 58 or 59 with a 270 cubic inch 6 cylinder that was originally assembled in Pontiac, Michigan.

What do you mean you can't decode the vin?

that number is for a GMC, not a Chevy - just as the tag sez

find out about GMC numbers here - either your title is wrong, or the cab has been swapped onto a Chevy .... should have a hood nose piece that says "GMC", and a lot different grill than a Chev, check the gallery pictures - that number will be a short 1/2T made in Pontiac

Bill

swingdaddy: the VIN appears to have some missing info as I read it and that is the number code denoting engine size. Where did you come up with the 270 info? Otherwise I agree with you.

So much for not posting pics directly into the thread.

That's what I'm thinking. The Rules State that only a jpg code or thumbnail can be used, there are several topics on this in the IT Short Bus. Here's one post on the subject, and here's another post on it. So what's up w/the picture ????.

53moneypit
I came up with the 270 because of the HP rating. Blue chip GMCs that had a v8 would have had a vin that started 101 8 P. There was only one 6 cylinder offered for the 56-59 GMC light duty, and that was the 270. A much larger truck would have had a 302 6 cylinder. There are a few people out there that believe GMC put 302s in a few 1/2 ton pickups... I don't believe that to be fact... But if it were fact the HP rating would probably be 160 HP at 3600 RPM.

the mod hasn't changed it yet?

Bill

Can't be because he's unaware of the thread.

Other moderators do not seem to mind people asking for parts or offering to sell parts. In the past, people were "evicted" for offering parts after someone said they were looking for parts (outside the Swap Meet).

and to quote Don...

The reason we ask for a LINK to a picture (rather than posting the image itself):

1) it affects our bandwidth (which is costly)
2) it makes the page download slower (which really affects people on dial-up, and we've got a lot of them)
3) some European users have to "pay by the byte" (and we don't want to do that to them ... especially after they've seen the image once already!)

And a side benefit -- you can post a link to as big a picture as you like and it won't affect the rest of the posts in that thread!

WOW!
Leave the forum for 12 hours, come back, Im the bad guy

Sorry for the inconvienence and lack of knowledge about posting rules, should have done more research, a lesson that could be passed on through alot of roddin, but I have removed the pic until I read up on posting links. Maybe if I hadnt picked up the overtime today I could have dodged RED51 and TINY !

Again guys, Im a young guy, In love with old trucks, stovebolts and Roddin, and thats all that should matter on this forum, hope to keep the love after I post this thread.

As a side note: I completley understand the reasoning behind not posting pics, and I respect the rule.
You guys were here long before I, but I cant wait to get to know a few of you and spread the wealth of knowledge from you to me and who knows, maybe back again!

Anything built with your hands and or mind is worth standing up for eh!

57Rat, I love the reason you put for editing your post. LOL! If you have any other ?s about your truck feel free to PM me. I have a 59 GMC. My first truck ever was another 59 gmc with a 270 6 cylinder and a 3 on the tree. All in all I have had 3 '59 GMCs, 1 '57, and 1 '1940 GMC. There is another forumn that has more GMC specific information.

For the most part the chebby and gmc sheetmetal, beds, and fenders will interchange on the 58-59 models. This is not the case for the 55-57 models. GMC ran different motors than Chebby. The GMC 6 is about 1-2 inches longer than the chebby 6. This brings about a condition known as "long motor envy". The GMCs were the choice for work trucks, and always offered a little bit more than the chebby for the same money. GMCs are more rare than chebby and consequently GMC specific parts tend to fetch more money than the chebby specific parts. There are other differences such as grills, and dashboards which are eazy to spot.

naaaa you're not a bad guy, just post the jpg from your browser into the post & everything will be just fine...Joe

A guy willing to laugh at himself is always welcome in my world!

I personally prefer GMC trucks to Chevy trucks so I think you lucked out here!

Shoot, no reason to hide & yer far from being "the bad guy". It's not uncommon for new folks to run afowl of the regs. Even the regulars push the limits all too often. I can't say I'm totally innocent either. Welcome to the 'bolt my man.