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TommyGunn 03-26-2026 08:25 PM

Couple questions
 
Hey all thanks for the warm welcome. I've got a couple questions I'm hoping you can help me with. How can I verify it is a 455. No tags or stickers under hood. Can't read side of block unless I start removing things which I'm not ready to do. Vin has a W in it and I read that means 455?
Second question- did i really buy a 52 year old car with less than 8000 miles on it? Following pics- spark plug- looks pretty 70ish. Spark plug wires- do last 2 numbers correlate to date of manufacture? If so they are 1974 wires on one side and 1979 wires on the other? Seems like they would have been replaced since then. Pedals- accelerater pedal looks pretty new, brake pedal does look worn but mainly on one side? Any other ways to tell mileage? Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance!

TommyGunn 03-26-2026 08:28 PM

1 Attachment(s)
Odometer

TommyGunn 03-26-2026 08:31 PM

3 Attachment(s)
Spark plug and wires

TommyGunn 03-26-2026 08:33 PM

2 Attachment(s)
Pedals

SRGN 03-26-2026 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TommyGunn (Post 6609362)
Odometer

Given the alignment of the numbers, it's likely been around once. Probably 108k miles.

TommyGunn 03-26-2026 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SRGN (Post 6609365)
Given the alignment of the numbers, it's likely been around once. Probably 108k miles.

That was my initial guess as well- but these other things have me wondering. Good point about the alignment being off. Hadn't thought of that.

gtospieg 03-26-2026 09:30 PM

No way that brake pedal is only 8000 miles...the stainless is worn through.

TommyGunn 03-26-2026 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtospieg (Post 6609370)
No way that brake pedal is only 8000 miles...the stainless is worn through.

Agree. It's just odd the other things.

PunchT37 03-26-2026 10:29 PM

Should be easy to see a 455 cast into the block on the drivers side to the rear of the fuel pump.

SRGN 03-26-2026 10:31 PM

If it runs and looks like it has less miles than indicated, just be glad that you bought a well maintained car. Not easy to find anymore. My advice is to enjoy the car and don't worry about it. Continue maintaining the car well, and you will have some fun with it.

Shiny 03-26-2026 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TommyGunn (Post 6609363)
Spark plug and wires

Were plug wires labeled with metric units in 1975? I suspect not but just a guess...

TommyGunn 03-26-2026 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PunchT37 (Post 6609376)
Should be easy to see a 455 cast into the block on the drivers side to the rear of the fuel pump.

Thanks i will look there

TommyGunn 03-26-2026 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SRGN (Post 6609377)
If it runs and looks like it has less miles than indicated, just be glad that you bought a well maintained car. Not easy to find anymore. My advice is to enjoy the car and don't worry about it. Continue maintaining the car well, and you will have some fun with it.

Absolutely! Plan is to change plugs and fluids and belts and hoses this weekend- then go for a ride!

Half-Inch Stud 03-27-2026 08:22 AM

Left of Dizzy, Look for iron post (indicates 421/428/455) cast in block's trans mount surface.

Otherwise, step on the gas pedal: if it gets up and goes, you'll verify.

77 TRASHCAN 03-27-2026 10:56 AM

If you lay your hand on the drivers side of the block, and move it rear ward, you will feel the numbers. They may have dirt/debris on them.

On the passenger side the numbers are directly behind the dipstick tube, not quite as accessible...

I was surprised to see that your 75 has rectangular headlights. As a high schooler I remember seeing the first car with rectangular headlights. It was a 1976 Monte Carlo. Man, I thought that was cool.

One thing to think about. If you have any issues with smooth acceleration, you may need some carb work. Beware that in 1975 GM was trying some different modifications with the Quadrajet carb. I don't know if all of them were this different style (has to do with primary metering, you likely couldn't tell from exterior view). It's something to e aware of if you need carb work. The carb number is on the drivers side of the carb. A vertical flat area. Number is 7 or 8 digits, starts with a 70 or a 17

TommyGunn 03-27-2026 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 77 TRASHCAN (Post 6609462)
If you lay your hand on the drivers side of the block, and move it rear ward, you will feel the numbers. They may have dirt/debris on them.

On the passenger side the numbers are directly behind the dipstick tube, not quite as accessible...

I was surprised to see that your 75 has rectangular headlights. As a high schooler I remember seeing the first car with rectangular headlights. It was a 1976 Monte Carlo. Man, I thought that was cool.

One thing to think about. If you have any issues with smooth acceleration, you may need some carb work. Beware that in 1975 GM was trying some different modifications with the Quadrajet carb. I don't know if all of them were this different style (has to do with primary metering, you likely couldn't tell from exterior view). It's something to e aware of if you need carb work. The carb number is on the drivers side of the carb. A vertical flat area. Number is 7 or 8 digits, starts with a 70 or a 17

Great info- thanks!

jwcfbd 03-27-2026 09:23 PM

1 Attachment(s)
Quote:

Originally Posted by TommyGunn (Post 6609361)
Hey all thanks for the warm welcome. I've got a couple questions I'm hoping you can help me with. How can I verify it is a 455. No tags or stickers under hood. Can't read side of block unless I start removing things which I'm not ready to do. Vin has a W in it and I read that means 455?
Second question- did i really buy a 52 year old car with less than 8000 miles on it? Following pics- spark plug- looks pretty 70ish. Spark plug wires- do last 2 numbers correlate to date of manufacture? If so they are 1974 wires on one side and 1979 wires on the other? Seems like they would have been replaced since then. Pedals- accelerater pedal looks pretty new, brake pedal does look worn but mainly on one side? Any other ways to tell mileage? Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance!

You can probably see it with a mirror. Here's mine where it shows it a 400.


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