455 HO GTO Auto
 

I am wondering if you guys can help me out ... I picked up a 4-bolt 455, code YA, date code 1089. block with caps and I am wondering how much it would be worth?

If its not worth much I will machine it up and use it as my race motor for my '81 Bird. But I am wondering if someone may want it for a resto, as I think it is a 1970 GTO HO block with ram air.

Could you give me your ideas on how desirable it is and approximately what it is worth.

Thanks allot!

Its worth more to sell it - versus what you can take a garden 455 and buy better caps for plus machining included.

That code would be only for early built cars.
And would be used for HO and Ram Air applications.
Dec 69 or so they went to code YC for the same engine.

Might be worth running the PHS on the VIN
17 Judges were built with that block code and only 1 has been documented and known to still exist .

www.wallaceracing.com has a Data Base for lost / found engines to help re-unite engines and cars. And could make a post about it in the 70-72 section here on PY .

If the VIN starts 201xxxxx its from a Canadian built car

If its 20Pxxxxxx or any other letter after 20_ , its a USA built car

Thanks for the info! I think I will do a little more checking seeing as it has a possibility of being a rare Judge motor.
I certainly would rather sell it to someone who needs it for a resto project. I can use my 1972 455 2-bbl ambulance motor, and install aftermarket caps instead.
The stamped code above the YA is 0144160 so it looks like the Canadian code and I missed the first letter, must be under some paint, I will recheck next time I am at the shop.

Just rechecked the vin number stamped above the YA code on the passenger side front of the block and it is 0144160 and does not start with the letter 2 ??. The rest of the vin looks like it is a Canadian build.

I believe the number you listed is the Engine Unit Number, not the VIN. The vin is usually stamped vertically, down near the timing chain cover

Thanks Singleton, Yes the 0144160, I know now, :) is the unit number and I located a five digit stamped number beside the timing chain location so that would be the vin- 12662

Being from BC, Canada, the block may have come from a Fremont, CA car. Partial VIN stamp could be faintly stamped left of the EUN near the head mounting surface.

Is there an SR stamped with it?

Hi Ransom, thanks for that info.........

I did make a mistake and now know the number above the YA stamped code is the unit number, and it is 0144160.

I cleaned up the timing chain cover a bit with a sanding block and found the vin number, which is 12662

i was shooting from the hip - it was either 13, 14 or 17 -1970 Judges built with 455.
3 were convertibles
The 1 known is a convertible - all were Automatics (YA / YC)

a few samples of what you can look for

The VIN should be a 9 digit stamping

2 = Pontiac
0 = 70 production model year
Z = Fremont plant .. (P = Pontiac plant, etc ...)
182196 = last 6 digits of car VIN ... {for example}


its a Long Shot that it might be from a Judge - but worth checking out

Might post the find of this block in the '70-72 GTO, Tempest, LeMans tech section, someone may have the car.

There were 2227 GTO's built for '70 model with the 455 auto coded engines (YA & YC),
this included whatever '70 Judges were also produced with the 455 M40 combo.

'70 GTO 455 production

1986 (hardtop)
241 (convert)
-----
2227 total 455 M40 (YA & YC)


1761
158
-----
1919 total 455 4spd (WA code block)

Ransom, nope I don't see a SR number with it,,,,,but I guess it still could be one? I also have a RA-4 SR block 400ci that does not have any stamping on it at all. It was bought up here in BC Canada for my friends jet boat back in the day.