I have a 1997 Camaro SS. Are the block numbers matched to the cars like they use to be?

 

If i'm not mistaken they just have casting numbers now a days.

 

Blocks and transmissions have partial VIN match numbers on them. They will tell you if they came with the car.

http://shbox.com/1/block_vin.jpg

 

So if I plan on keeping the car for a long time, I should keep the original motor?

 

it would probibly make the car more valuable in many years. like the c3 corvettes if they have matching numbers they are worth a nice amount of change.

 

It can't be numbers matching, if the numbers don't match.

 

If I understand it correctly, "numbers matching" just means that the block casting number is referenced to a certain year and series vehicle. Not an individual vehicle. You can change the block as long as you get one with the same casting number.

 

Unless you keep the car for about 100 years, I seriously doubt that matching numbers mean anything. My 97 SS spun a bearing with 7 grand on the clock (bad cam install, I believe). Replaced with a new shortblock with 4-bolt mains.
Doubt that it will have any negative affect on value during MY lifetime. JMHO

 

For older cars, that's true. With the info that comes with the cars nowadays, anything original to the car, itself, can be tracked more easily. It just depends on how picky a buyer wants to be.

 

thanks for asking that question 7designs...lol. now i know i'm looking for a different engine to put in my car and let my original motor sit on the sidelines!

 

When I bought the car I bought it from a friend of mine and he had changed the motor, but I have the original motor. Since I want to keep the car forever(if I don't change my mind) I would like to have the original motor just in case 30 years from now I want to sell it it could be worth more.

So since I already have it I will keep it.

Thanks shoebox

 

^^^good plan

 

I agree, I will let the original set(properly stored) and build the other one.