401 shipping and VIN

MoPedal

I am wanting to buy a 401 long block from out in California and ship it to Tn. Then I thought I'd better check on the shipping before I get to deep. Can any of you guys tell me: Approximate dry weight of a 401 long block? Best way to ship? Where the VIN would be on the engine? Thanks Rick

tufcj

A long block AMC weighs between 550 and 600 LBS, depending on accessories left on it. There is no VIN on the engine. There will be a casting # on the bellhousing flange, and a tag on the valve cover with date codes. (if it has the original cover) The displacement is on both sides of the block, under the motor mounts. I've shipped a couple of bare blocks on a pallet via Forward Air (they are a ground shipper) at reasonable rates. Around $75 for a bare block (250 LBS on pallet) from Denver to Kentucky. I'm sure rates have gone up with all carriers with the current fuel prices. Sounds like time for a road trip. Bob tufcj

MoPedal

tufcj wrote
A long block AMC weighs between 550 and 600 LBS, depending on accessories left on it. There is no VIN on the engine. There will be a casting # on the bellhousing flange, and a tag on the valve cover with date codes. (if it has the original cover) The displacement is on both sides of the block, under the motor mounts.

I've shipped a couple of bare blocks on a pallet via Forward Air (they are a ground shipper) at reasonable rates. Around $75 for a bare block (250 LBS on pallet) from Denver to Kentucky. I'm sure rates have gone up with all carriers with the current fuel prices.

Sounds like time for a road trip.

Bob
tufcj

That would be one heck of a road trip...I figure about 6k miles round trip...$1800 in just fuel alone....who would have ever thought we would be paying this much!

I know what the casting number is but don't know what it means.....Anybody know what it means? It is 3198957

The valve covers have been replaced and the was no tag.

Odd there is no VIN on the engine...anybody know why?

ironman_gq

I dont think they put Vins on any of their engines.

fifesjeep

Are you sure that it's 3198957? I couldn't find anything on that... Double check... I'm sure it's 3198951. Which is the AMC 401 from 71-78.(?)

MoPedal

fifesjeep wrote
Are you sure that it's 3198957? I couldn't find anything on that... Double check... I'm sure it's 3198951. Which is the AMC 401 from 71-78.(?)

I'm sure you are correct...the last number was a little hard for me to read.
http://www.cj-8.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=10634&d=1208655222
I appreciate your help.

dwloop

I read that as 3198951, which my list shows as a 1971-78 401. Bore 4.170, stroke 3.680. I have one of that casting number in my basement as we type. Dave

MoPedal

I am still amazed there is no VIN stamped on the engine. I would have thought that these hot engines would have been a theft target back at that time...Maybe AMC looked at it as "no VIN-sell more engines"!

dwg86

I have shipped on Amtrack. 401 shortblock from MD to GA $30.00, but its been a while.

AMX69PHATTY

I'm in Cincinnati. What would you be willing to pay for a complete 100k stock '73 401 ?

MoPedal

AMX69PHATTY wrote
I'm in Cincinnati.

What would you be willing to pay for a complete 100k stock '73 401 ?

Thanks for the offer but I told him today I would take his for $600 + shipping. An acquaintance of mine who lives on Sacramento, will be coming here to Dayton,Tn for a 'WE ROCK' competition next month and has offered to haul it out here on his trailer if things work out.
If that don't work out shipping will be approx $300.
http://www.cj-8.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=10637&d=1208655222
I appreciate you guys help!

hotratz

MoPedal wrote
I am still amazed there is no VIN stamped on the engine. I would have thought that these hot engines would have been a theft target back at that time...Maybe AMC looked at it as "no VIN-sell more engines"!

Vehicle Identification Numbers are only found on the body of a vehicle. The purpose is to Identify the specific build options that came from the factory. No manufacturer puts VIN numbers on drivetrain components. You might be confusing VIN with serial number maybe?

AMX69PHATTY

Hmmm, understanding is that Chev & Ford stamped the VIN in the engine blocks and maybe even transmissions so it was identified as the stock motor that came in that car. That is what they mean when a listing says "matching numbers". AMC did not do this. Nowadays all the glass and almost every body panel is marked with the vehichles VIN due to auto theft, chop shops, and the used parts bussiness. :-|

hotratz

My understanding is that the VIN is used as a guide to determine if a component on a collectable car is actually factory installed, intended to be on that car or around the same build date to be correct. It doesn't nessesarilly have to be the original part that came on the car.

The casting numbers on the engine would verify that the engine was built in the same month as the car and be considered correct in most circles

I guess it's possible that other components got stamped with a VIN but I've never heard of it or run accrossed it.

Matching Numbers

MoPedal

hotratz wrote
The casting numbers on the engine would verify that the engine was built in the same month as the car and be considered correct in most circles

Matching Numbers

I don't have a way of looking up the casting number but if you could tell me the month/year this engine was made I would appreciate it. The number is 3198951.

AMX69PHATTY

I have this, same casting number was used for 8 years. I am not the originator, it was downloaded. There are numbers on the block other than the castings number that indicate dates. On the block there may be some indication in the lifter valley as to what year. On the heads in the area under the valve covers. May be a date code on the timing cover or oil filter adapter as a clue. 1973 was last year for stud mounted rocker heads. AMC Engine Block C.I. Year Casting Numbers (courtesy Todd Jesme) -------------------------------------------------- 3144932 327 75-61 3147230 327 57-62 3153044 327 57-62 3153055 327 57-62 3153077 250 56-61 3153677 327 57-61 3166463 327 63-67 3169824 287 63-66 3179062 290 66-69 3179063 343 67-69 3190079 401 1971 3190806 390 68-69 7/16" Head Bolt 3190808 232,390 64-71 3195292 304 70-71 3195527 304 70-82 3195528 360 70-84 3195528 390,401 70-80 3195529 390 69-70 1/2" Head Bolt 3195529 401 72-76 3198951 401 71-78 3414725 401 72-74 3220411 401 75-78 4160275 327 63-66 440275 327 58-62 446527 320 1955 4486279 390 68-70 4487211 304 70-76 4488874 401 71-76