[71SportRagtop]

In my never ending search for a set of decent heads to upgrade my 68 Bird, I came across a guy who has a Pontiac 400 for sale. The guy doesn't know much about Pontiacs or he's a good BS artist because he had NO idea where to find any of the ID numbers on the block or heads.

But after a few emails and one phone conversation here's what I've found.

The motor is a 1970, the block casting # is 9799914 and the 2 digit code on the front of the block reads XH. The heads are #13's.

I researched these numbers and it appears that this is a 1970 400 out of a B body. The info I found states that this was originally a B body 400 cui, 350HP motor with an automatic trans.

So my main question is this. The #13 heads come up as automatic Ram Air heads. But that's for a GTO. Were the B body #13 heads the same? Also would this motor have come from the factory with the 068 cam with the 350HP rating? I'm assuming a manual trans RAIII had a different cam because of the 366HP rating. I just don't know how differently this motor would be built for a B body as opposed to a GTO or Firebird.

The seller claims that it's a running driving motor and that it still pulls strong. He's asking $650.00 for the whole motor intake to carb, which I think has to be a steal.

My 68 Bird has a bone stock 68 400, 265HP motor which is kind of boring. I thought that maybe I could grab this entire motor, freshen it up a bit, and drop it into my car and instantly have about a 75HP difference. Since I have a 4 speed and a 3:73 rear I think it will make my Bird a whole different car.

Any info or feedback on this motor is greatly appreciated.