noob from downunder after 78 dually engine number help

[pinballswanted]

hi guys from Australia
ive got a 78 Silverado which is dual cab,dual wheels rhd bbc
now im really after help as to what the original engine number would've been for this truck
reason I ask is engine has been swapped with a pretty healthy sounding 454 but has no engine number stamped on block where I think its supposed to be
truck used to be a tow car for a local drag racing company so im guessing its one of there engines but its been off the road for years and they've lost the original paperwork and info
so in order for me to get it reregistered over here Im trying to figure out what the original number would've been based on the vin
which is CCS348Z155932 and it says next to vin its camper loading (I will post pics as soon as I figure out how)
I think its a pretty standard formula for you more knowleadeable guys and have included the vin
really appreciate any help/advice as I need this number to get it back on the road
thanks jeff

[zieg85]

Welcome from NW Indiana

http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/techinfo/73-91VIN/1978truck.pdf

[LTZ C20]

Welcome from central California. Good to hear of another Ausie. My mother was born and raised in Aus, until her family moved to the US when she was 12. My grandparents still have their accent pretty heavy. I've been there once when I was 1 year old, I would love to go back. We have had family visit here over the years. Where in Aus are you?

[Irish_Alley]

Welcome from Maryland

[pinballswanted]

ok thanks guys
have seen that link before but not sure what the exact and complete engine number should be for my particular truck, I read that last 6 numbers of vin should match the last 6 numbers on engine number but I don't know what numbers/letters precede that and am asking help with
perhaps if someone has same model they could let me know how they compare as far as vin/engine no
also I am in south Australia
aussie aussie aussie oi oi oi
hopefully got my pics sorted

[LTZ C20]

Haha. Now are you on the Sydney side, Perth side or somewhere around the middle? My mom grew up in Sydney.

Also, those right hand drive setups are completely wacky! It's hard to imagine one, so seeing it is hilarious! I can't stop laughing, I think it's great, it's just the dash is completely opposite it makes me giggle! Can you post pics of the steering setup under the hood and front suspension? Some of us are really curious how they figured all that stuff out.

Also, hold onto those mirrors, they are hard to find. Truck looks great!

[pinballswanted]

ok heres a couple more pics I already had that show right hand drive setup (will take some more later)
also we are right in the lower middle of Australia between perth (west) and Sydney (east)
does anyone know or could possibly look at there pickup for me if a 78 or similar and just let me know if the entire vin is part of the engine number or the whole number and if not, then which part of the vin is stamped on engine
I need to get it exactly right meaning 1 number or letter in wrong place wont allow vehicle to get reregistered over here
please help
thanks guys

[Irish_Alley]

there should be numbers stamped in the front of the passenger side of the head right behind the alt or above the timing cover. these will be punched in unlike the other in the back thats casted in the block. what i do is clean the numbers up real good with brake cleaner and a rag then take soap stone or a crayon and color the whole pad with that then wipe the pad off but leave the numbers with the crayon and it makes them easier to read

the one numbers youre looking for should look like

18?(some letter) then 155932 (should be the last 6 numbers of your vin).

are they really that hard on the old trucks that if the engine blows you have to replace the whole truck?

[LTZ C20]

Oh my gosh that's just great! It looks so bizarre.

[Captkaos]

That is awesome...

[pinballswanted]

ok
the actual motor in the car doesn't have any numbers on the plate that sticks out just under the head on rh side near alternator, ive cleaned the area thoroughly and theres no number there and as previously mentioned I think truck used to belong to a drag shop so not sure why/how there is no number there, but there isn't one
so common sense tells me that its not the original motor out of that vehicle but it was probably last registered using whatever the original engine number was so if I had that number and once confirmed as being correct one by the state registration office, then I will stamp this motor and move on
I can get it registered without that number over here but it is a LOT more of a hassle
but with the right number I can just walk in and register
so reason for asking what the original engine number would've been in my truck that matches the vin is because I don't have a number on engine currently in vehicle
chevys aren't as common over here so not easy to find another dually to compare what numbers
have also heard the term numbers matching many times but not sure if that means serial number or entire vin being same as entire engine number
so based on what irish has suggested my original engine number that matches the vin should be
18 then one number/letter then 155932 so if that's the case can anyone tell me what that mystery letter/number should be to fill in the blank
thanks very much guys

[Captkaos]

If the block was ever resurfaced the VIN number gets wiped out.  You could possibly pull the casting number but based on what you are saying it won't work.

[Irish_Alley]

according to the vin the 454 is the original motor, i dont see how it would have to be a numbers matching engine just as long as its still a 454 it should be ok. BUT thats how our inspections are in the states

18?(some letter) then 155932 (should be the last 6 numbers of your vin).  the "?" should be the plant the motor came from. by your vin your truck came from Fremont, ca "z"
do they look for the numbers themselves or trust the owner to turn in the right numbers
so the number should be 18z155932 i think
and that breaks dow like this
1(chevy)8(1978)z(Fremont, ca) 155932(vin)

[LTZ C20]

Hey Fremont, CA. Your getting closer to me!

[pinballswanted]

the rego office has the original records but doesn't readily volunteer the information as onus is on motor vehicle owner to supply details that match there previous records
and if they do then no inspection is required, but if numbers don't then a major inspection is required prior to registration and my truck needs a fair bit of work to make roadworthy so am hoping to bypass inspection by getting correct engine number and once confirmed I will do other work needed prior to getting on the road again
we have pretty relaxed registration laws as long as records all correspond
so I will fill out paperwork and try out  18z155932 next week and let you know what happens
failing that and just in case it is the original block and has been machined but got engine number slightly wrong, are you saying there is the original and complete engine number cast into the block somewhere else as may be able to find that way or there is a slight possibility that engine in car is not the original bbc but has been updated at rego office, but that's the next step failing this one
hopefully this number will work
thanks irish and others