Pontiac engine ID

[Johnny Blaze]

Anyone got any tips of ID'ing a Pontiac engine that is still in the car? Junkyard has a 70's something waogn, with a V8 motor, that I am considering if it is a 400, or 455.

[critter]

Get the four digit date code, cast into the block back by the distributor pad and the two letter engine code off the front of the block, just under the passenger side head. With that we should be able to get it.

If it's a 455 or 400 it should have the transfer lug (the call it the mountain) back by the distributor. It's a hump that they drilled and tapped to lift the engines on the assembly line.

[Johnny Blaze]

How easy are these casting numbers to see with the engine still in the car?

[critter]

It depends on how much gunk it on the engine. Take a can of brake cleaner and a small brass bristle brush with you. You might have to do some scraping and cleaning to get at them.

The date code is a raised letter, four character code. It will be 3 letters and a number. The number indicates the year.

The 2 letter engine code is a stamping. If the engine has been painted a few times you might have to scrape to get it to show.

[andrewb70]

The displacement is also cast into the side of the block on the passanger side, just ahead of the engine mounts.

Andrew

[critter]

Yes, it should be in this case. I never have much luck with seeing that if the engine is in the car. between frame members and exhaust manifolds. It's tough to see. How do you go about doing it in the bone yards? I'm thinking a mirror and flashlight might help.