I'm ready to purchase a complete '65 Malibu SS needing a resto, but had a question regarding "matching numbers". On a '65 Malibu SS with a 283/195hp motor, are the numbers on the engine pad supposed to match? I was told that the matching numbers on that VIN pad didn't match until '67; therefore a matching number car would be one with all correct casting dates....? Any info is appreciated--JW

The Chevelle did not get a VIN# until 67.
The # on the pad includes the Date the engine was build, should be a few day before the car was build. There is dates cast into the block & heads, Should be a few days before the engine was build.

My car was Kansas built, it has a 7 digit code on the engine...it does not match any part of the VIN.

However, it does MATCH the protect-o-plate.
Hope this info helps you. DANO

Bob, or anybody else...How do I figure out my build date on my engine with this code on my block??? The code is FOII4DE. Those are I,s not one's...My warranty booklet calls them the engine number :confused: Thanks in advance! DANO

"F" Flint Eng. Plant
0114 Jan 14th
"DE" 195hp, 283ci, 2bbl 9.25:1 Comp ratio
Powerglide auto.

On the upper left of the trim tag should be a build date like 01C or 01D = 3rd or 4th week of Jan. 1965

Originally posted by Bob Johnson:
The Chevelle did not get a VIN# until 67.
The # on the pad includes the Date the engine was build, should be a few day before the car was build. There is dates cast into the block & heads, Should be a few days before the engine was build. Not always the case. My '67 Elky (Fremont) with original 327 doesn't have the VIN stamped on the front pad. I don't think it was mandated by law until sometime in '68 (I read that here from someone) - although some plants may have been doing it earlier.

where Can i find the DE or the other 2 letter code? Is it on my block near the casting number?

Build date says 01C,Thanks BOB

Adman, it would be on the front pad behind the alternater.

I found it. Its all the little extension on the passenger side right infront of the head. Is DE so i've got a 283 PG combo smile.gif To bad its not a z16!

Originally posted by LKN BCK:
Adman, it would be on the front pad behind the alternater. The alternator was moved to the passenger side later, in 1965 the alternator was on the driver's side (the number pad is on the passenger side).

But anyway, looks like you found the stamp pad.

Originally posted by Bob Johnson:
The Chevelle did not get a VIN# until 67.
The # on the pad includes the Date the engine was build, should be a few day before the car was build. There is dates cast into the block & heads, Should be a few days before the engine was build. I agree with Dale, but in a different way. Many L79s got partial VIN's on the stamp pad in both '65 and '67. My '65 L79 has a partial VIN on the engine and transmission (KC car). BUT, not even all L79s got partial VINs but many did. There doesn't seem to be much consistancy as to why some didn't and some did. I've heard of a few non-L79s getting partial VINs on the engine in '65 as well but I've never seen one myself that wasn't an L79.

A lot had to do with the assembly plant building the cars. There were some 20 more plants in operation back then building Chevrolet cars and truck, only a handful were controlled by Chevrolet, others were Pontiac, Olds, Buick etc. Towards the end of the 60's, the plants started to come under the GMAD and the car divisions got our of the assembly plant opeartions.


Chevrolet Plants
Flint
Lordstown
Norwood
St. Louis
Willow Run

GMAD
Arlington
Baltimore
Doraville
Framingham
Fremont
Janesville
Lakewood
Leeds (Kansas City)
Southgate
Tarrytown
Van Nuys
Willmington

Canada
Oshawa
Ste. Therese