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Old 05-27-2007, 11:56 PM
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Question How can you verify a Turbo Regal is Numbers Matching?

As these cars become increasingly collectible, what do you look for, and where do you look to see if a Turbo Regal is Numbers Matching? For example, what components would be stamped with the vehicle vin number and where would you look to verify? What components don't matter? What components are date coded? And so on and so forth
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Old 05-28-2007, 09:26 AM
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Default Re: How can you verify a Turbo Regal is Numbers Matching?

Block (near the starter), Trans (tag), frame (hidden on the top of the frame), RPO tag, SPID label in glove box, cowl tag, VIN ...
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Old 05-28-2007, 04:41 PM
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Default Re: How can you verify a Turbo Regal is Numbers Matching?

Ken your information is a little off there.. The vin on the block is on the drivers side right where the block meets the trans. There is a flat spot there with the last 8 of the vin. It should read.. HP****** if you turn the wheel all the way to the right and get a flash light (and rag to clean the grease off) you can read it from lookin in the fender. These engines all blew up esp. if they were modifyed so matching block can be hard to find in a turbo Buick. Even low mile ones! It's hard to see but here is a picture of the vin on the block. Again this is on the driver side of the block and not near the starter.



The transmission vin can be found toward the rear of the trans on the driver side again. Right back by the tail you'll see a flat spot just above the pan. The vin for the car will be punched there. You also want to look on the passenger side of the trans toward the tail and you'll find a tag that should read BRF. Once the vin matches the car and the BRF tag is there your good. BRF is a special valve body used only on the turbo Buicks. Sorry no pic of the trans vin. I'll put that on my list of things to do!

The other location for the vin on the frame is right below the drivers seat on the top of the frame rail. You'll need a mirror to see it. Then you have the build sheets in the door, back of rear seat, under pass seat, and a few other places in the car they pop up. Plus the rest that Ken listed!
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Old 05-28-2007, 05:04 PM
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Cool Re: How can you verify a Turbo Regal is Numbers Matching?

Quote:
Originally Posted by PhillyTurboSix
The vin on the block is on the drivers side right where the block meets the trans. There is a flat spot there with the last 8 of the vin. It should read.. HP****** if you turn the wheel all the way to the right and get a flash light (and rag to clean the grease off) you can read it from lookin in the fender. These engines all blew up esp. if they were modifyed so matching block can be hard to find in a turbo Buick. Even low mile ones! It's hard to see but here is a picture of the vin on the block. Again this is on the driver side of the block and not near the starter.


Whew, I was wondering how in the world anyone would be able to see it if it was on the starter side

Last edited by Keller; 05-28-2007 at 06:31 PM.
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Old 05-29-2007, 09:12 AM
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Default Re: How can you verify a Turbo Regal is Numbers Matching?

Sorry guys ... fingers were ahead of my brain!
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Old 05-29-2007, 09:24 AM
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Exclamation Re: How can you verify a Turbo Regal is Numbers Matching?

Quote:
Originally Posted by PhillyTurboSix
These engines all blew up esp. if they were modifyed so matching block can be hard to find in a turbo Buick. Even low mile ones!
I realize a lot of fools quickly beat their cars into the ground in the early days of the TR. However, I sincerely doubt that TR engines "all blew up". Probably more head gaskets trashed than blocks. All matching cars are not that hard to find.

Still have my original block...and head gaskets.
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Old 05-29-2007, 03:42 PM
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Default Re: How can you verify a Turbo Regal is Numbers Matching?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Keller
I realize a lot of fools quickly beat their cars into the ground in the early days of the TR.
I guess it depends on what we, as a group feel what a true numbers matching TR is, or should be. I'd hate to see the TR crowd get fanatical like the Corvette and Shelby guys. No need for a Buick version of the N.C.R.S. rulebook IMO.

What about those of us that didn't think of saving the original parts that did have date codes and part numbers. Like the starter and alternator, even spark plug wires. There are a lot of these numbers parts on a TR. When ever I look at a low mileage "original" TR I look specifically at these parts to verify the low mileage claims. I busted the original block on my GN. Its sitting in the corner doing nothing. I also saved every part I ever had to replace on it too. Should I just throw the parts in the trunk and call it a matching numbers car if I decide to sell it? Instead of matching numbers maybe we should coin the phrase "numbers correct". It would be the basics. 109 block,8445 heads,BRF,3.42 8.5".

BTW Phil. The block VIN will be different if its an 86. The correct 109 turbo sequence should start with the number 4(Buick) followed by a letter G(1986) of H(1987) the letter P(Pontiac MI) and the last 6 of the VIN.

When you check the block VIN pay carefull attention to the numbers. A NA 109 could have some of those same numbers. I replaced my original block with one from a NA Regal and at a quick glance one would think it was the original block.

There is also a frame code. If you look in the rear wheelhouses there should be plastic tags on the frame that have the letters HS. This is the code for a 86-87 TR. That code and a build date will also be stamped on the rear crossmember. Here's a pic of it and a fuzzy one showing the flat spot on the transmission pan rail where the full VIN is stamped. BTW that frame is from an 83 T-Type so it has a different code.
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Old 05-29-2007, 05:12 PM
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Default Re: How can you verify a Turbo Regal is Numbers Matching?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Keller
Still have my original block...and head gaskets.
Me too, just trying to get it back in good health
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Old 05-31-2007, 07:01 PM
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Default Re: How can you verify a Turbo Regal is Numbers Matching?

Mine still has the original plug wires
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Old 05-31-2007, 07:06 PM
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Default Re: How can you verify a Turbo Regal is Numbers Matching?

Quote:
Originally Posted by pontiac6269
Mine still has the original plug wires
Mine does too. Doesn't help the knock though

Last edited by kna4977; 05-31-2007 at 07:08 PM.
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