['ol Pinion head]

Originally Posted by vamman1

Attachment 616860
So this tells me 1974 YA code but as per the Code Decipher List;
a YA 1974 455 wouldnt exist?

No, as mentioned above, no YA coded 455's in '74 models.

Of note, there are numerous 2 letter Pontiac v8 engine codes for 72 models & 76 models that did not make it into Pete McCarthy's book Pontiac Performance 1955-1979. Myself as well as Rocky Rotella documented those missing codes over 20 years ago. Many web sources just copied the engine code charts out of Petes book w the missing '72 & 76 model codes.

On the engine in this '69 GTO, I would bet the block deciphers out to a 455 out of '72 or 73 Pontiac big car. It won't be a 70 GTO 97799140 casting block, as it would have to be a very late assembled engine (read above), & YA's were done by then, replaced by the late production run '70 model YC's. 71 model 455 code YA, was seldom used. '72 & 73 model YA coded 455 blocks are very common.

[vamman1]

If this is a 73 YA, a new set of heads would wake it up from 250HP?

[Greg Reid]

It depends on the heads. Some of them have slightly smaller chambers and work well with decent compression. There are some stampings on a boss on the heads that tell you that.
Either way, unless you're planning on racing, no Pontiac 455 is exactly a slug. I had a '73 455 YH in my '74 Trans Am, totally stock big car engine with the big chamber heads and it would light the tires up easily and chirp them on the 1-2 shift if I really got into it.

[johnta1]

Try to find the partial VIN on the block.
Passenger side front face of block below where the radiator hose goes into the timing cover.

Looks something like 23A123456
The 1st 3 may be different, it's the year. The letter 'A' will probably be different also, it's the plant code where car was produced.
The last 6 digits were the partial VIN of the car.

[vamman1]

I'm struggling to read it....

[johnta1]

That's the engine unit number (or motor unit number)

The partial VIN is below that next to the timing cover. Usually hard to see, with crud on it possibly. That number will go from top to bottom reading.
(down about 6-8 inches)

[johnta1]

From teufert's site from link above:





The arrow points to where the partial VIN will be.

[vamman1]

Viewing the car in person tomorrow; will try to find it.
Thanks!

[Greg Reid]

Looking at that 2 letter code again it does look like YA. All you really need is that and the date code but that Teufort site shows you where all of the numbers on the engine can be found.

[Nocar]

Nice looking '69, frame sounds great with no rust, hope you enjoy the view tomorrow!

[north]

I’d think twice about that car. I was in Canada and saw it a few months ago and got spooked for a few reasons;

1…VIN tag is clearly a transplant with incorrect rivets and installed from above rather than below as the factory did.

2…trim tag is missing.

3…rad support is from a 68 as is the shroud

4…the spacers used on 68-69 LeMans’ are present between the fender and bumper (they were not used on GTO’s)

5….I wasn’t able to open the trunk to see the inner lip but there is something off about the drop down between the taillights, perhaps the trunklid is a cut up 68?

So the risk is that this car is not really what it appears to be ands/or was stolen in its past. On the plus side it is quite solid especially by northeast standards but it has had body panel rust repairs.

I couldn’t find any trace of the original color and the interior is all repro so no way to know what the car (or cars) was originally.

I took some pictures if you would like to see them you can pm me.

[b-man]

Inspecting the car for any real issues should be your priority.

The VIN on the 455 engine that clearly never came in the car originally is the very last thing I’d be concerned about. Don’t waste your valuable time trying to get a look at it, you’re going to have your hands full trying to go over that car to find any deal breaking flaws and negotiating with the seller if it passes muster.

[vamman1]

THANK YOU GENTS

NORTH, I sent you a PM

Please forward whatever pics and info you have. I will have to go there to get my deposit back

[vamman1]

I even ran the PHS and VIN was a column shift, bench seat car that started in Canada.
Rotten

[vamman1]

North, do you have a pic of the spacer that only exist on Lemans?

[north]

Sounds like a rotten 69 GTO was blended with a 68 LeMans..

[Greg Reid]

Busted!!

[north]

Some pics from early June when I went to see it…

First pic shows lemans only rubber bumper spacer. Hard to see in the picture but I saw it clearly when looking at the car. Second picture shows the trunklid with the drop-down section in the middle not being correct. On the plus side the lip of the trunk isn’t typical Canadian half inch thick Bondo but instead metal.

Third pic, sure shows the absence of a trim tag, this is suspicious, but also would be a problem if you try to get the car into the US because they want to see the certification statement on the trim tag at the border. Last picture shows a clearly Swapped over VIN tag. Not only are the rivets wrong, but it is installed from above rather than from below.

[north]

On the plus side it definitely is a solid car, floors and frame have way too thick paint but are clearly solid as are the doors and fenders etc. Dash pad is mint and interior is in nice shape too with repro seats and door panels (along with wrapped headrests) and a white 71-72 console. The console has no shifter or linkage. Top looks nice.

At the right price it would be a good cruiser if you can live with the unknown lineage and assuming it’s Frankensteining didn’t involve stolen cars.

[Greg Reid]

That's good looking out north.