71 blazer??

[1971blazerguy]

hi all i have a 71 blazer ke181s612298 its a 4wd 3 on the tree how many of these were made and how do i find out the rest tof the lettering on the top of where the engine is at? also how do i find out if the engine is original from the numbers? and there are numbers on the frame also..have the truck in peices starting to put it back to life ... new to post so not sure how to get answers yet be back soon pics to follow

['68OrangeSunshine]

I have a '71 GMC Jimmy w/ 350 V8,SM465,NP205, 3.73 12-bolt posi rear.
The 3 speed muncie, w 3 -on-the-tree was the basic tranny offered, 250 L6 was the basic engine, unless the original owner got talked into an upgraded engine/drivetrain option.

[1971blazerguy]

thanks for the help

['68OrangeSunshine]

Since truck engines don't have matching numbers with the chassis VIN like sedans and muscle cars, the closest you'll get is finding the Engine Dress Code stamped into the block. On L6s, this is a machined pad just under and aft of the distributor hole. On V8s -- I'm not so sure--I think it's on the block just behind the head on the passenger side. A 2 or 3 letter code, it can be cross-referenced from published tables. One source [though notoriously inaccurate] is LMC Truck's catalog. It is free and contains some good "exploded diagram" type parts illustrations.
www.LMCtruck.com
While not sponsors of this board, like Brothers in Calif, or GMC Paul, their catalog is a good asset. Get all the free truck parts catalogs you can.
If you have the original glove box door, check the inside for the SPID, or Special Parts Identification sticker. All the production options that were on the truck when originally sold should be listed in code.
My Jimmy's VIN is KE114-S143XXX. [Last 3 digits obscured for security]
K= 4x4
E= V8
1= 1/2 ton [1500 GMC]
1= 1971
4= Jimmy body style
-= Special GMC code indicating state-specific equipment
S= St Louis, MO assembly plant. [K/5s and K/1500 Jimmys were all made on the same line. Rumor is that every sixth truck got GMC badges]
143 = 43,000 in serial sequence.
The Chevy and GMC VIN codes differ a little, but you get the idea.
Unless specified in the SPID, the basic V8 ordered was the 305 CuIn. Three speeds [and other manual xmsns] are rare in this period only because the dealers were pushing the TH350 and TH400 automatics.
Hope this helps.