I have a 1972 Monte Carlo with a 402ci BB in it and the guy I bought it from (2nd owner) swears it is original motor, when I checked the VIN it has an engine code of (V), though I dont see an engine code of (V) for a Monte or Chevelle, a list of GM engine codes from '72 show the code (V) is a 454 although a list Monte Carlo/Chevelle VIN codes I found say a 454ci is a (W) code.

Can any one shed some light on this for me? also Ive thought about a typo on the title and Ive checked it to the VIN on the car. it is a (V) engine code.

 

You've probably already seen the following VIN decoder site, but according to their list the engine code for a 402 engine is "U", not "V".

What is the fifth digit of the VIN on the title?

Here's the decoder site: The First Generation Monte Carlo Club

 

Thanks for the speedy reply plumbob, yes Ive seen that site, and about 20 others (mostly Chevelle or all GM sites). It is a (V) in the fifth digit for engine code, GM sites show that as a 454 for Caprice, Impala and so on. I'm 99% sure this is the original 402ci engine, I'm just really curious why the code is wrong on the VIN.

I do have a build sheet for the car. But I bought this car and started the restoration 20+ years ago (haven't touched it in 18 years) and cant find the build sheet at the moment.

 

Kinda' sounds like somebody should have put their glasses on when reading the sheet and mistook the "U" for a "V"...Lol.

 

Kinda' what Im thinking too. Im pretty sure these MC's always rolled off the line with Chevelle's and ElCamino's so I dont see how they could have misused a code that they never used to begin with, though if they rolled off of a line with cars that used the (V) code for a 454 I could see that happening, then again it would be odd to get a 402 engine put in when a 454 engine code was used.