Engine casting number shows 1978??

[HAFROD]

Now that I look at it closely, I think you misread the top line of the cowl tag. I think it should read:
79 4AG87 Z 088847
It decodes as following:
79 - the model year 1979
4AG87 - Buick Century 2-door sport coupe
Z - the assembly plant (Fremont, CA)
088847 - production sequence #
If you look at the build sheet you will see the sequence #088847 is listed in the upper lefthand box (#1) and the 4AG87 is in the upper righthand box (#9). I believe the Turbo Coupe option was only available on the Century sport coupe (AG87) and not the Century Special coupe (AE87).

Cowl tag is for sure 4AE87 and the upper right box says 4G87392. There is no E or G in the upper right box #9. What the heck do I have here?

 

[HAFROD]

Also, no VIN stamped on block on the left side pad. I know the engine block is a different casting than like the 86-87 turbo block. I can't find any info on where or even if it has a vin# stamping for a 1978-79 block. The block is dirty so I can't find it till I look after a good cleaning

 

[pontiacgp]

I thought the year of the car wasn't in question, the question was about the engine. If the car was built in November of 78 than it would be the 79 model and GM was famous for using whatever was on the rack to drop into the car on the production line.

 

[Red78Calais4speed]

According to your build sheet box #9, the VIN is 4G8739Z121176. Hard to read the last digit.
Vin decodes as follows:
4 - Buick division
G - Century
87 - 2-door coupe
3 - engine code 231 V6 4bbl motor Turbo
9 - 1979 model year
Z - assembly plant Fremont, CA
121176 - production sequence

 

[Red78Calais4speed]

Can't remember exactly where the VIN numbers are stamped on the 231 V6. As it was posted before, engines were produced up to 6 months in advance of the final assembly of the vehicle. Believe Pontiac stockpiled their 400 V8 motors in 1978 so they could offer them in the 1979 Trans Ams. At least, that's what I've been told in the past.

 

[Jeff Blagden]

If I remember correctly I had a 79 turbo Buick Riviera and the numbers on the block were on top of the engine by the transmission

 

[HAFROD]

This has me confused now. My cowl tag is AE87 but my build sheet shows Century Sport and Turbo Coupe

 

[Jeff Blagden]

that is weird if your tag has an E that is for a station wagon

 

[HAFROD]

 

[Jeff Blagden]

not a 100 % sure but the way I decode it is a 1979 E is for wagon and the 87 is for 2 door it should have a G if it is a coupe maybe some needed a new I D for the car and changed out the tag ?