Thread: Can I VIN# search my 63' Grand Prix to find out what motor I'm workin with? How?

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  1. #1 Can I VIN# search my 63' Grand Prix to find out what motor I'm workin with? How? 
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    So I just recently purchased a 1963 Pontiac Grand Prix that I have been asking to buy for the last 20 years. Upon selling it to me my friends grandfather told me it was a 421 motor. I bought the car assuming it was actually the 389, considering it was the common model and the guy he got it from didn't know a thing about it and used it as a form of payment on some work that had transpired between the two of them. He then told me that a mechanic had actually confirmed this when he took it in to have it serviced after he took ownership of the car. After looking at some trim packages I'm starting to believe as well that it is, in fact, a 421. Then someone told me the wheels would tell me what I needed to know. I thought they all came with Pontiac's unique 8 bolt lug pattern, however, mine came with 5 lugs and the old dog dish style Pontiac hubcaps. A small search online seemed like it was suggesting that it may now possibly be a 421HO. I'm loosing my mind now. Is there an easy way to do a VIN# search to find out what I'm working with here? I'm ready to start the restoration but would like to know the model before I start investing because if it's a 389 it's getting some custom additions and if it's the 421 model it's getting an off frame stock restoration. Any help?

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  2. #2 Re: Can I VIN# search my 63' Grand Prix to find out what motor I'm workin with? How? 
    GTP Level Member FriboRage's Avatar
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    If you go to advance auto parts with the VIN number, they can put the vin in their catalog and it will pull up the year/make/model and motor

    Im also sure you can find something on google with a little searching.
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    2004 Grand Prix GTP Comp G: Intake, F+R plogs + downpipe, 1.7 YT Rollers, Overkill, F-body front brakes, drilled/slotted r1 concept rotors.
    Sport Edition Kv5 18x8
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  3. #3 Re: Can I VIN# search my 63' Grand Prix to find out what motor I'm workin with? How? 
    GrandPrix Junkie redlinepontiac's Avatar
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    pay 50$ and get the PHS documents that will tell you everything about your car
    RayRay
    92 Turbo miata
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    02 lexus is300
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  4. #4 Re: Can I VIN# search my 63' Grand Prix to find out what motor I'm workin with? How? 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
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    big edit, front driver side is the casting.


    identify_image004.jpg

    “455” stamping on drivers side front of engine,

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
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  5. #5 Re: Can I VIN# search my 63' Grand Prix to find out what motor I'm workin with? How? 
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    Thanks for the help. It may be hiding under the years of grime it has accumulated after years of neglect. I can find intake codes, head codes and the exhaust codes but the block codes have eluded me. I think the next step is just to get it into the shop so my mechanic can get it cleaned up and see what kinda work load we're in for...
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  6. #6 Re: Can I VIN# search my 63' Grand Prix to find out what motor I'm workin with? How? 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
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    any pics of this beast? the early 60's were when cars were still cars. the 63 GP is pretty mean looking.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
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  7. #7 Re: Can I VIN# search my 63' Grand Prix to find out what motor I'm workin with? How? 
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    The GTO's older brother. I loved this exact car ever since I saw it 20 years ago.
    GP.jpgGP1.jpg
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  8. #8 Re: Can I VIN# search my 63' Grand Prix to find out what motor I'm workin with? How? 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
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    looks fairly rust free. i would have been after it as well for the last 20 years lol

    what you doing to it?

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
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  9. #9 Re: Can I VIN# search my 63' Grand Prix to find out what motor I'm workin with? How? 
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    Depends on what I find out about the engine. If it's a 398 it will probably get a few custom components but I probably won't do a full resto on it. If it's one of the 421's I may just do a full stock restoration. No matter what happens I'm gonna drive the hell out of it.
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  10. #10 Re: Can I VIN# search my 63' Grand Prix to find out what motor I'm workin with? How? 
    Perma-Banned! JK LOL Explicit_Spade's Avatar
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    Your vin layout should be like this:

    First digit 9 for Grand Prix

    Second and Third Digits 63 for the Model Year 1963

    Fourth Digit will be the assembly plant
    A = Arlington,TX
    D = Doraville, GA
    K = Kansas City, KS
    L = Linden, NJ
    P = Pontiac, MI
    S = Southgate, CA
    W = Wilmington, DE

    The last 6 digits are production numbers from 1001 up


    If it's a numbers matching car, I would restore it no matter what engine it has. Numbers matching cars maintain a great value, especially when properly restored. If its not a numbers matching car, restore/ build it how you want it! I'm sure you'll enjoy it either way.
    Quote Originally Posted by W-Body Store
    Remember, GM engineers didn't take into account your need for speed.
    Daily Driver: 06 Grand Prix GT / 9.4:1 CR / IS3 Heads / Ported Gen V / ZZP Headers / HPT Pro / Pulleys: 4.25, 3.8, 3.5, 3.4, 3.2, 3.0, 2.9, 2.7
    Projects: 86 Monte Carlo SS / 98 Sonoma / 74 Honda CB750
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