Thursday, October 17, 2013
How to Find VIN Numbers on an Engine Block
Your cars VIN number (Vehicle Identification Number) is a complex form of vehicle identification, as individual as a fingerprint. Starting with the model year 1981, all vehicle VIN numbers have been standardized. Every VIN number stamped into an engine block since 1981 has 17 letters and/or numbers, each letter and number conveying a different piece of information about your vehicle. VIN numbers are typically placed in several locations within each vehicle. One location is on the engine block itself. VIN numbers are stamped into an aluminum strip and riveted to the engine block at the assembly plant, when the engine is mounted onto a chassis.
Instructions
- 1
Open the hood of your vehicle and inspect the engine block. The engine block is the large metal jacket that covers your vehicles engine.
2Spray the (warm) engine with engine de-greaser and allow the de-greaser to sit on the warm engine for approximately 10 minutes if the engine is so greasy that it may be obscuring the VIN number. Wipe the de-greaser off with one or more rags or brush the de-greaser off with a metal brush and then wipe with rags. The idea is to get the engine clean enough to see the VIN number.
3Look for a 17-digit number (if your vehicle was manufactured in 1981 or later) either stamped directly into the metal of your cars engine block or (more commonly) stamped onto an aluminum plate or band and riveted to your cars engine block. The number is usually identified as a VIN number.
4Check the front of the engine block first as this is the most common (but not only) place for vehicle engine VIN numbers to be located.
5Inspect the drivers side of the engine block after inspecting the front of the block.The VIN can be located either above or below the level of the spark plugs. Use a magnifying glass to inspect hard-to-see places.
6Search the passenger side of the engine block last as VIN numbers are rarely placed on this side of the block.
7Compare the VIN number you find on the engine block with the VIN number on the drivers dash, just inside the windshield. These numbers should match unless the vehicles engine has been replaced.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
How to Identify Part Numbers on Carter Carburetors
Carter carburetors, like other carburetors, are mechanical devices that combine fuel and air to create the correct mixture for combustion in an engine. A carburetor regulates the ratio of air and fuel and keeps the engines operation at optimum level. As with any mechanical part, knowing the part numbers can be helpful should you need to fix part of it or replace it.
Instructions
- 1
Park the vehicle in an area away from traffic, turn off the engine and engage the handbrake.
2Open the hood of the vehicle and locate the Carter carburetor, which will be under the air cleaner. Loosen and remove the wing nut on the air cleaner with your fingers, and lift off the air cleaner to access the carburetor.
3On the side of the carburetor, look for the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) tag which has the part numbers engraved on it.
4Identify the numbers on the carburetor that are either stamped on the body itself or on the sides, depending on the model of carburetor.
