1987 Chevy Vin Decode?

[patriklprice]

Hi folk's.   I've tried looking this vin up off my title but cant decipher it after 3 hours now so I'm asking here.  The vn is M40CA7T015397 on a 1978 Winnebago Chieftain.   Does anyone know what these numbers mean?
The motor casting looks like 400 so I assume its a 400 engine but I'm hearing that the Chieftain didnt have or offer that motor.  The vin number shown here is on my title.

[joanfenn]

Did you double check the VIN right off of the motor home to make sure the title is correct?

[Oz]

As Joan said, check your RV for the VIN number.  The number on your title could be the coach VIN number as some states will use either one.


a 13 digit CHASSIS VIN would be for a pre 1981.


1981 to 1987 have a 17 digit CHASSIS VIN


So, it doesn't sound like your title has the chassis VIN on it and the one you provided does not translate at all using the Chevy/GM chassis VIN decoder found on the right side bar block of the Chevy Chassis Board.

[patriklprice]

What was I thinking?  Sorry folks.  The 1978 rv Winnebao Chieftain is a Dodge 1977 chassis & the motor casting says 6530-400 hence a 400 engine.   I think its a W23, hence 23 ft long.  I found the vin plate but it was painted over & barely recognizable.  I've got another guy reproducing a matching vin plate.

[Oz]

A 400 was not an engine available.  Chieftains had either a Chevy 350 on the 25' model or a 440 on the 26' Dodge model, which you have.


Here's the brochure link: http://winnebagoind.com/resources/brochure/1978/78-ChieftainSportsmansDen-bro.pdf


Also, here's a topic on engine stamp decoding:
http://www.classicwinnebagos.com/forum/index.php/topic,6754.msg28351.html#msg28351

[patriklprice]

Hhhm,  The Winnebago  coach vin is stamped #89615 dated 10/77 & the title vin says 1978 # M40CA7T015397 & matches the factory vin plate as well with an M40 model stamped on it.  I also know that its a model WDP23RG #10P0J189615. From bumper to bumper it measures exactly 22' 8".  The dash & outer emblem says Chieftain.  I get that someone changed the engine to a Dodge 400 so just maybe it had a 440 per the vin code, I just don't know.  Only a 400 or 440 could bolt up to the same tranny because they are both big blocks. I dont know if either 350 or 360 would adapt.  The rv has dual exhaust.  Its definitely a Dodge M400 chassis in every way.
Any help is appreciated.  I wrote / e-mailed Winnebago with 0 answers.

[DaveVA78Chieftain]

M40CA7T015397 is a Dodge VIN number http://www.classicwinnebagos.com/Pages_HTML/DodgeVINdecoder.html#1974

M4 = M400
0 = Motorhome Chassis
C = 10K - 14Klbs GVW
A = 440-3
7 = 1977 chassis (Winnebago typically placed this years rig (78) on last years chassis (77))
T = Built at Warren Truck #2
015397 = chassis serial number

So, someone swapped out the original 440-3 engine with a 400.
400 engine info can only derived from the data etched into the engine block
Everything else chassis related is a 1977 M400 chassis.
Case closed