1973 Chevy Camper Special from CA - VIN?

[BrianaBruce]

Hi there,


I just bought a 1973 Chevy K20 Camper Special. However, there’s 2 conflicting items with the VIN that have me scratching my head. I was hoping an old head from CA that really knows Camper Specials or early year square bodies might know:

1) The VIN is CKY243Z148302. The “Y” denotes that a 350 engine should be in the truck, however, there is a 454 in it. Interestingly enough, there is a sticker on the truck frame from the California Bureau of Automotive Repair verifying the 454 engine. I’m wondering if the manufacturer took a built/“completed” truck with a 350 engine and then did the engine switch to upgrade the truck to the 454/Camper Special package for a customer? And therefore had to get it “re verified” by the CA BAR because it was technically an engine change? Was the camper special ever offered with a 350?

2) The VIN also denotes a “2” (or K20) However, there were “Custom 30” badges on the truck when I got it. Is there a plausible reason the VIN would indicate a 20 series (3/4 ton) but then the truck would have been badged as a “30” because it’s a camper special? Or is it more likely that someone put the wrong badges on this truck during its life?

Thank you kindly for any help or guidance,
Briana

 

[Rickf]

The date code/casting #'s of the engine will give you an idea of which came first. Were 454's available in 1973?

 

[75gmck25]

Based on the info I’ve found, the 454 was not an option for 3/4 ton 4WD in 1973. Looks like you might have an engine transplant, and they even got it approved by the emissions board.

Even the 400 engine was not an option until ‘75.

 

[BrianaBruce]

Wow. Thank you both. so helpful.

The previous owner was under the impression the 454 was part of the camper special package. I see what you both are saying now, it doesn’t look like it was offered in 73– which completely changes my concept of the history of the truck. I just googled where to find the engine codes on the block. I will find them and update.

PS. here’s a picture of Bruce.

 

[Keith Seymore]

You've done your homework; your interpretation of the VIN is correct.

My vote would be that someone put the wrong badges on the fenders at some point in it's life (even as far as back as the assembly plant).

Fremont was not known for it's stellar build quality back in the late 60's or early 70's.

K

 

[Bextreme04]

Wow. Thank you both. so helpful.

The previous owner was under the impression the 454 was part of the camper special package. I see what you both are saying now, it doesn’t look like it was offered in 73– which completely changes my concept of the history of the truck. I just googled where to find the engine codes on the block. I will find them and update.

PS. here’s a picture of Bruce.

The frames and front diff would be different between a 3/4 and 1 ton. You can measure the height of the frame and also see what front diff you have. If its a K30, you would have a Dana 60 front and the frame is(I think) 7-1/2" tall compared to around 6" tall on a 3/4 ton.

 

[Grit dog]

Wow. Thank you both. so helpful.

The previous owner was under the impression the 454 was part of the camper special package. I see what you both are saying now, it doesn’t look like it was offered in 73– which completely changes my concept of the history of the truck. I just googled where to find the engine codes on the block. I will find them and update.

PS. here’s a picture of Bruce.

Solid looking truck!
And another example of why I now wish I'd "shaved" the rain gutters on ours....Love that look!
What are your plans for the truck?

 

[BrianaBruce]

Hey Grit! I think imma do glossy black. and the interior/cab imma do black and brown/wood. Someone already made a wood center console that i like and i have two black&tan dogs…so that’s the inspo! Thanks for asking. :]

also PS for others that were kind enough to reply- the only thing i could get to on my own was a stamp on the drivers side- which according to my googling - shows me the engine is from a passenger car! I have a friend coming over saturday to help me get the diff off to access the block numbers.

 

[AuroraGirl]

Hey Grit! I think imma do glossy black. and the interior/cab imma do black and brown/wood. Someone already made a wood center console that i like and i have two black&tan dogs…so that’s the inspo! Thanks for asking. :]

also PS for others that were kind enough to reply- the only thing i could get to on my own was a stamp on the drivers side- which according to my googling - shows me the engine is from a passenger car! I have a friend coming over saturday to help me get the diff off to access the block numbers.

I am not from California but to my understanding because of the year, 73, the only likely things that CARB would require is that the truck be outfitted at a "allowed shop" and that it had the emission equipment required by a 1973 454 engine, but Im not sure. A 1973 454 would not have much, but I think it would have evaporative emissions

 

[DoubleDingo]

Welcome!

My camper special came with a 350, and has the partial VIN that matches the truck VIN. But if I go to any name brand auto parts store (AutoZone, PepBoys, Oreillys), they tell me my truck has a 454 in it. It does? You serious? It sure looks like a 350 to me, even uses parts for a 350, is a small block like a 350, let's try this, let's get the parts for the 350 and move forward...lol...

 

[BrianaBruce]

Welcome!

My camper special came with a 350, and has the partial VIN that matches the truck VIN. But if I go to any name brand auto parts store (AutoZone, PepBoys, Oreillys), they tell me my truck has a 454 in it. It does? You serious? It sure looks like a 350 to me, even uses parts for a 350, is a small block like a 350, let's try this, let's get the parts for the 350 and move forward...lol...

Haha! ooooh! interesting. …is yours a C20 or K20?

 

[DoubleDingo]

Haha! ooooh! interesting. …is yours a C20 or K20?

Mine is a C20. Always wanted a K20, and it may happen some time in the future, but right now I have a 4x4 in the form of a '91 Cherokee, so we have that off road stuff covered. Just no steep hill wood gathering or the like.

 

[Bextreme04]

Hey Grit! I think imma do glossy black. and the interior/cab imma do black and brown/wood. Someone already made a wood center console that i like and i have two black&tan dogs…so that’s the inspo! Thanks for asking. :]

also PS for others that were kind enough to reply- the only thing i could get to on my own was a stamp on the drivers side- which according to my googling - shows me the engine is from a passenger car! I have a friend coming over saturday to help me get the diff off to access the block numbers.

That doesn't mean anything. You need the stamped number in the flat spot above the timing cover on the front of the engine or on the flat spot right in front of the passenger side cylinder head. You can also get some useful data from the block and cylinder head casting numbers and dates.

Here's a site with pictures of the locations of those codes and also what the suffix code at the end of the engine stamp will identify the motor as.

https://wowmusclecars.com/chevrolet-big-block-casting-no/

 

[BrianaBruce]

That doesn't mean anything. You need the stamped number in the flat spot above the timing cover on the front of the engine or on the flat spot right in front of the passenger side cylinder head. You can also get some useful data from the block and cylinder head casting numbers and dates.

Here's a site with pictures of the locations of those codes and also what the suffix code at the end of the engine stamp will identify the motor as.

https://wowmusclecars.com/chevrolet-big-block-casting-no/

thank you! i’m itching to get some help this weekend with taking some stuff off to see all these #s.

 

[Bextreme04]

thank you! i’m itching to get some help this weekend with taking some stuff off to see all these #s.

You can see the stamping numbers without removing anything. Just get a wire brush on the flats and some brake cleaner to get the junk off them. Same with the block casting numbers, they should all be visible without removing anything.

The only thing you will need to remove to see casting numbers is the valve covers to see what cylinder heads you have. Check both sides, because it has been known to happen that people will swap out just a single head if they have issues.