I only ask this because the history of the car is largely unknown. But when I bought the car off a friend he said he found paperwork in the glovebox, something about an engine but he wasn't sure and hasn't been able to find the paperwork about it.

Is there any markings/numbers on the engine that help identify if it is original?

 

The VIN should be stamped on the engine and transmission IIRC, I just don't know where... Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

 

The attachment is out of the Haynes manual. Hopefully that helps you know where to look.

 

Thanks, i'll take a look tomorrow, engine is too hot right now to be putting my arm anywhere near the exhaust manifold.

 

Only number I could find was 4X1502128. According to the shop manual that is the secondary derivative VIN, I couldn't find the other because the GM illustration of where it is sucks *****.

But this 4X1502128 doesn't match any part of the VIN in the slightest, so if this indeed was part of the VIN, then this engine isn't original, heck it isn't even from the same model car.

 

What does it say it is from?

 

I am not sure what you are asking.

But like I said, there isn't even an X at all in my VIN, yet there is one on the derivative VIN on the engine.

 

I thought maybe you had used a VIN decoder to try to figure out that partial VIN from the engine

 

Ahh, I didn't know I could do that.

I'll run the vin number through a vin decoder when I get off work.

 

Then it is NOT the original engine.
Through some research I did find this much for you
4=check number (used with full vin to make sure VIN is not fake by using some formula)
X indicates this engine block was made in 1999
1 indicates it was made at the plant in Oshawa, Ontario Canada
502128 is the production sequence number (basically quality assurance purposes)
Here is a list of former models produced at that plant that included the year 1999:


Buick Regal (1998–2004)
Chevrolet Monte Carlo (1995–2007)
Chevrolet Lumina (1990–2001)
Buick Century (1982–2005)