New member - need advice on engine...

[rueg10]

about a month ago i bought a 97 2dr tahoe... a lot of work was done on this vehicle to restore it... 205k miles, guy selling it said motor had been replaced and had about 40k miles on it. he had a file FULL of documentation from years past... i went through it at the time and saw docs for all the major work, and repainting he had done as well... but the missing doc was the engine work... truck was too clean to pass up... guy said he would get me the docs... i hate to think i got bs'd, but after numerous requests, and the guy saying he was going to get a copy from the shop, i have seen nothing. i'm not a mechanic by any means, but can anyone tell me where on the engine block i might be able to find the VIN or code, so i can confirm whether or not it was replaced?

any info or feedback is appreciated...

---------- Post added at 01:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:19 AM ----------

28 people looked at my post, and no responses! any advice please say anything!

 

[popo8]

Idk where the vin is on ur specific block... but even if found.... it wont tell u if the motor was or was not rebuilt.... only if it was replaced....

Try a google search on "engine block vin for 1997 ****"

Finally... whats wrong with it.... should i say what is it doing?

 

[Rockytfox]

It is typically located on the rear drivers side of the engine block by the bell housing. If the last 8 digits match the vin on your doors and windshield, then the engine was not replaced.

 

[rueg10]

truck runs fine actually... but i paid the guy based on the fact that the motor had been replaced and had only 40k miles on it, and that he had the docs for it. it was tricky because i bought it 3 hours away, so when i looked at it i had to buy it right there, or i was taking the train home. when i saw how clean the damn thing is i was kind of won over... but if i would have known it was the original motor i would not have paid what he was asking. it's sure setting up to look like i got the "driveshaft" on this one... which is why i want to look at the block to see if it matches or not.

 

[xanatost]

The motor could have been rebuit and not replaced. If it is running fine and shifting then I would just enjoy it and welcome to the club.

 

[rueg10]

i am enjoying it... definitely. it's a clean truck overall. i just want to confirm whether or not the guy lied... but i know he said he replaced the motor. it just keeps churning in my mind... i know there are a lot of shady folks around everywhere... and i never give anyone the benefit of the doubt... but this guy did all the right mechanic work in updating this tahoe and had the documentation on it all... so in my quest to find a clean 2dr, i let my guard down and believed the guy... he went out of his way to save the docs on every oil change and every other thing that was done, it seemed something as major as the engine being replaced would have been documented too... if it was done...

 

[SunlitComet]

the engine vin code is "r" but not sure who can tell you if its serial number is the OE block or not. i think casting number is on the rear of engine just below right head and serial is just below right head in front of block. I think.