how can I tell by the VIN no. if the 1979 corvette she bought has a 185 hp motor or the 220 hp motor

The 8th number of the VIN is the engine. You have to figure out what number or letter chevy used for the engine options.

For 1979 the 5th (fifth) digit of the VIN is the engine code, an 8 is the 195hp engine and a 4 is the 225hp engine.

u need to pass on ur VIN number to ur dealer or to Chevrolet to gett all kinda details http://chevy-corvette.org/

thanks for the INFO. did some more research and found out it's a 195 HP

Thanks Joe: I did some research and found out that it is a 195 HP, as the 5th didgit is an "8". Thanks again. Zeedawg

Thanks anjy834u: Did some research and found out it's a 195 HP as the 5th no. of the VIN is an "8". If it was a "4" it would be the 220 HP. Thanks again. zeeDawg