Why is it every time I order parts for my 2.8 the parts guy asks if my vin has an "s" for the engine code?

Is there something special about that particular motor?

 

It just signifies that your car has the 2.8L V6 engine in it.

 

I thnk that there's more to it than that. I've been on several parts sites and they always want to be informed if the motor has an "s" in the VIN. They already know that the motor is a 2.8 litre.

I have heard [not too sure how true it is] that there were modifacations done to this particular motor throughout the years it was available. Some say the early 2.8's had a weaker main bearing design. It was supposedly improved several years later.

 

Not sure, so correct me if I'm wrong...there was also a "w" instead of the "s". I don't know the differences at all though.

 

Nope.. nothing more to it. S == 1985-1995 vin code for the V6 Camaro

The reason they ask is because the most accurate way for them to be sure of which engine you have is to ask the VIN code, since their computer has the vin code listed with each possible engine for a vehicle.

 

Your engine code is as important to know as your plate number.

Epically in car with different brand engines.

Just an example of a car with more than 1.

When I ask for part for my Buick wagon and they ask what engine


I say 350 V8

They then ask is it diesel or gas
Then is it engine code R or X

R is Chevy
X is Buick

I have a 350X

 

Thanks. I seem to still have random small bits of stuff stuck in my head from having to listen to an idiot who wouldn't leave me alone.

 

:rockon:

 

Every parts store I goto does not aske... except O'Rielly Auto Parts. Guy says it in a cocky way after I've told him the car is an 88 Camaro and that it's a 2.8L. I can understand the VIN # if you have more than one model type motor like the 350x like said earlier, etc... If it was really all that important after knowing it's an 88 Camaro with a 2.8L V6, then I would think every parts store would ask for "VIN S?"

I'm going to ask him what the other codes are for an '88 2.8L Camaro next time I go in there.

or maybe.... say 1988 Camaro... and a 3.4L V6. "Don't have that in your computer? F that... I'm going to Autozone"


-Bud

 

Just go to places like http://www.partsamerica.com or http://www.expressautoparts.com for the vin codes and part numbers and everything.

I always do that because I don't trust those morons to give me the right part #.

In fact... might as well have fun with the dummy next time he asks for the VIN.

"VIN code? Well I tell you what- you can pick any V6 you want to off your little computer list, because there's only one on there. But ya know what, I'll help you out- it's engine code 'S'. Have you found it yet?"

I always like having them look the part number up for me... after going through something like '86, pontiac, firebird, 2.8, yes with air conditioning (haha, half the time I tell them it doesn't matter), ignition module. Guy will tell me he's found it. Then I ask him "Is it part number -----"? They love that... when I've had the part # all along, and make them look it up.

Yep, I used to be nice. In fact, I'm still nice- but only at "real" parts stores, not chain stores like Pep Boys or Strauss or Autozone or Schticks or whatever else is out there.

 

FWIW the '90-'92 3.1l f-body is a VIN T.

RBob.

 

2.8 (fbody) Carb'd = Vin 1
2.8 (fbody) MPFI = Vin S
3.1 (fbody) MPFI = Vin T
3.1 FWD = Vin M
3.1 Turbo GP = Vin V

 

In our defense - You have to realize the crap we deal with, day in, day out.

'I need a distributor for a 350'

'What year/make/model?'

'Doesn't matter, a 350 is a 350!'

*thinking* - omfg...

me - 'Is it a chevy, buick, oldsmobile, pontiac?'

'They all the same.' (Gumby, I KNOW you see the problem there!)

Then you HAVE to play stupid, because the guy you're talking to is a total dumbass. 'Is it in that truck over there?' 'Yep' Then you gotta look at it, realize it's a late 80's Chevy truck, and hope that the HEI Chevy 350 distributor actually works for him, because if it doesn't - he comes back, pissed as all hell, because YOU sold him the wrong part.

We have to deal with this in the parts biz all the time, every day. Believe me, it wears on you. We've got regulars, tho, that are pretty good. I've got one customer that I helped out - had to show him he had a 401 Nailhead - not a 455 buick. He's converted the Nailhead to HEI (with our help) and has it sitting in a little T bucket roadster. It's nice.

Cut us a little slack. Every store usually has one guy that really knows his **** - we're just lucky to have a couple of guys that do. But if you've got one main store you shop at, FIND THAT GUY! I'll never forget the blank look of admiration at the depths of stupidity I gave a guy at Discount Auto (now Advance Auto) when I asked for a clutch kit for the '88 Camaro, and he actually asked me if it was an auto or a manual....

 

I believe the "code" change also reflects the other vehicles a 2.8 resided in...
Citation, S-Series, Fieros & Lumina and how that inductions system operated (TBI for S Series or a Carb/MPFI for F body & S series & other FWD 2.8 engines).

 

Doward!

I'm going to have to take a day off work, drive to the store you work at, and walk in (after putting on a fake ****** wig, stained Van Halen tee shirt, and camo trucker cap) and ask for some leaf spring shackles so I can "jack up" my 89 fahr-burd!

Then have you try and explain that I have a coil spring rear end, etc.....

Eric

 

You could always send your wife or girlfriend into the local auto parts store and have her ask the guy at the counter for a "can of engine vacuume" like I did years ago when we were first married. Needless to say, my wife was pissed and the parts guy looked at her like she was high on something.
A good laugh was had by all! Mainly me.

 

This is when, assuming you're a witty individual, you casually say "auto". I think most people here have the imagination and acting skills required to see where to go from there

 

rofl - nope, I just go 'They're over on Isle 6, sir!'

and laugh my *** off... a personal fav to send someone into a parts store for - a bellhousing gasket!

 

Nope, I don't give anyone at a chain auto parts store any slack. Especially after arguing with the last idiot- I told him I needed the center parking brake cable, and he kept telling me that I needed to know which side- left or right- I needed. He even smugly showed me the screen where it listed a left and right cable with different part numbers- and right ABOVE IT was the CENTER BRAKE CABLE! He called his manager over to "help", I cut the kid off, and told the manager directly that I needed the center brake cable and the guy wouldn't give it to me. So the kid says "but he doesn't know if it's right or left!" So the manager looks at the screen, points to the center brake cable, and asks me "this one"? I said "yeah". The manager told him to get me that one, so the kid leaves, comes back, and tells me I have to order it, it'll come in after a week.

The guys in the shops with the concrete floors, grease-covered computers from 1995, and cigar butts on the floor always know what I'm talking about- and their prices are pretty darn close to the chain stores (unless you actually try to buy car wax from them).

Oh yeah the "real" shop was able to get me that cable shipped from their warehouse the SAME DAY.