Need help identifying my truck

[Karlwebb81]

Hello again everyone, I am in need of some help. I'm working on restoring my 72 C-10 and im getting mixes messages about my Engine ID and VIN. The numbers I got off the block behind the alternator are:
V0805TKB, C7S218683
and my VIN, inside door is:
CE142S436866

Some sites say my engine is a '72 402, and others are saying its a '75 350
The VIN is saying St. Louis but the block is saying Flint.
Any info you can provide will be great, just want my kid to know where she's from, you know?

[bruceman1968]

Hi Karl, welcome to the site.
Your engine is a 350ci, from a 1977 truck.
Here is a breakdown of the numbers you provided.

V0805TKB
V = Flint engine assembly plant. Your engine was built in Flint and then shipped to the St. Louis truck assembly plant where it was installed in a truck, in 1977, on the truck assembly line.
08 = August
05 = 5th, Your engine was assembled on August 5th.
TKB = 1977, 350ci, 165hp, th350 trans, LS9 RPO code, 4bbl carb,
TKB was used for big block 402's in 1972, but those engines were built at Towanda Code T. Your engine is code V, Flint, which built mostly small blocks(a few 6cyl's) and no big blocks.

C7S218683, The fact that you have this partial VIN stamped on your block is how we know that your engine is not original to your truck. 1967-72 Trucks did Not get partial VIN's stamped on the block.
C = Chevrolet
7 = 1977
S = St. Louis assembly plant.
218683 = This is the unique VIN(sequence) number that was assigned to the 1977 truck that your motor came out of.

CE142S436866
C = 2wd
E = V-8
1 = 1/2 ton
4 = Pickup (cab and bed)
2 = 1972
S = St. louis assembly plant
436866 = This is the unique VIN(sequence) number for your truck. But there is a discrepancy. The 4 does not belong there.
That slot should be a 1 or a 2. Double check that and see if you misread or mistyped that. The 4 should be a 1 or 2.

[Karlwebb81]

Ok, thank you so very much. So now I wonder if there would have been a reason why one of the previous owners chose a '77 block, maybe it was just availability? I appreciate your help.

[bruceman1968]

Probably was just availability.
Did you check on the 4. Just curious how that turns out.
Happy to help. Your welcome.
Bruce