Buick V6 Casting Numbers 2017-06-13

Excellent information very useful on identifying what you are looking at.
Please note the Buick 196 V6 (3.5" bore) was available in 1978 and 1979. I unknowingly purchased one thinking it was a 79 231 but once I cleaned the layers of grime off the block I saw it was marked 196 and pulling the heads showed a 3.5" bore.
Block casting 1261439
Head casting 1262098
My engine was a 79 based on high port heads and intake casting but the block was marked 1978 since the 196 was only made in 78 and 79 unsure if the casting was the same for both years.

A great help

excellent