Every vehicle manufactured since 1981 has a 17-character vehicle identification number (VIN). The characters in positions four through eight identify specific features of the car, per the manufacturers' code designations. For General Motors cars, the eighth character identifies the engine. If an "E" appears, it designates an engine that appeared in the Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo, Pontiac Grand Am and Oldsmobile Alero.
Displacement
The 3.4 liter engine has a displacement of 3.4 liters or 207 cubic inches. The displacement means the amount of space in all of the cylinders not occupied by a piston. Sixty cubic inches equals one liter. The 3.4 VIN E engine develops around 170 horsepower, but varies with other equipment on the particular GM model and year.
Engine Block and Oil
The basic engine block of a VIN E has six cylinders arranged in a "V" pattern, identifying it as a V-6. There are three cylinders in each leg of the "V" which turn the crank at the apex. The 3.4 VIN E engine holds 4.5 quarts of oil.
Valves
The 3.4 VIN E has 12 valves, two for each cylinder with one for the intake of fuel and one for the exhaust. The overhead valve (OHV) arrangement means the valves open into the top of the cylinders, above the head. The camshaft that turns with the engine to operate the valves is not above the heads, as in an OHC engine. The order in which the cylinders fire is 1-2-3-4-5-6.
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