[dguess]

Hello, I live in a relatively small town here in Western Kentucky. I have had two people in the last year tell me about some woman in town owning a 1974 GTO with a factory SD455. I brushed it off, and figured someone had just put the stickers on the shaker hood and tried to pass it off as one. As most of you know, A car like this doesn't supposed to exist. Well The other day, a guy stops buy my shop and starts telling me about his wife's 1974 GTO with a factory special ordered SD 455. He says it is all original and unrestored(and needing it). She purchased the car in 1975 and was not the original owner. Well anyway, the curiosity is killing me. I have the guys address and phone number and plan on driving out to their home and checking this car out. I consider myself a pontiac enthusiast, but I could use some quick reference information on how to identify the engine in the car. If the engine is the real deal, I am going to purchase the PHS packet for the car even though I have been strictly informed that "THIS CAR IS NOT FOR SALE". Thanks for the help.

[dguess]

Hello, I live in a relatively small town here in Western Kentucky. I have had two people in the last year tell me about some woman in town owning a 1974 GTO with a factory SD455. I brushed it off, and figured someone had just put the stickers on the shaker hood and tried to pass it off as one. As most of you know, A car like this doesn't supposed to exist. Well The other day, a guy stops buy my shop and starts telling me about his wife's 1974 GTO with a factory special ordered SD 455. He says it is all original and unrestored(and needing it). She purchased the car in 1975 and was not the original owner. Well anyway, the curiosity is killing me. I have the guys address and phone number and plan on driving out to their home and checking this car out. I consider myself a pontiac enthusiast, but I could use some quick reference information on how to identify the engine in the car. If the engine is the real deal, I am going to purchase the PHS packet for the car even though I have been strictly informed that "THIS CAR IS NOT FOR SALE". Thanks for the help.

[Herb Hagan]

1974 455 SD 290 HP W8 M 8.4 323 16 /with stamped(6H) 1-4 7044273 Block Casting # 490132
1974 455 SD 290 HP Y8 A 8.4 323 16 /with stamped(6H) 1-4 7044270 Block Casting # 490132
Stranger things have been known to happen, but sounds too good to be true. Get the VIN, send for the PHS info and definatley let us know if this rare beast truely exists.

Herb

[gtoric]

A factory-built 74 Ventura GTO with an SD-455 is VERY unlikely. First, that engine in that model was not EPA tested, and certainly not EPA approved.
Second, the SD-455 was not being installed in the Van Nuys or Willow Run assembly plants. Just getting one SD-455 from Pontiac to either of these plants would have had to involve monumental paperwork and administrative contortions.
Third, what was PMD going to use for exhaust manifolds on the X-body?

If this car does indeed have a Super Duty between the fenders, it didn't get there in the assembly plant. Might have been a dealer swap using headers.

The application code stamp on the front of the block and the casting date at the rear will tell the tale.

[Lloyd-TX]

However doubtful this car is, Pontiac WOULD have made the engine code known in the VIN.

For a SD engine, the fifth character of the VIN would be "X".

[Larry Navarro]

Regardless of year, an original(or SR-service replacement)SD block will have the numbers 132 cast in the block where the usual 400 or 455 number would be; drivers side-front adjacent to the freeze plug.
Number 16 heads, round port of course and LS2 or LS2X cast on the top driver-side watercrossover of the intake manifold.
Let us know what you find.

[704554spdGP]

DGuess,

Where are you? Maybe I could be of some asst. in the form of an extra pair of eyes,as I am also in Western KY and own a 74 GTO along with my GPs. RD

[sdbob]

Check for the X as someone said. Also the SD was only available with the M40 or 4spd. Also early production 4spd cars are RARE as there was a hold on 4spd blocks as if I remember the thrust main was a problem(there was a sheet to all dealers). When I took delivery of my auto in March the 4spd cars were still on hold. The vin will be on the block in the front next to pass.side timing cover.Also the suspension would have to be changed for the extra weight as the SD is Heavier than a std 350 or even a 455.

[pontiac locator]

I remember in 74/75 my father had back surgery and my mom bought every car mag that was available for the 6 months he was off work. A few years later when I really started getting into cars my father gave me all his old car mags. I read in "supercars" I think of the "Motion" performance dealer installing SD 455s in 74 GTOs. The article I remembered was in black and white, but it did show a 74 GTO with the infamous motion stripe package and the words "Motion Super Judge" on the fenders. I have looked for years to find that magazine as I has hopes of 1 day replicating my 74 GTO into a "look-alike". My 74 still wears its SD455 badges on its front fenders, where they were placed on the Motion car by Motion. Other than that I heard there was also a company in Michigan installing SDs in 74 GTOs, by a person who was asking about my 74 being a real SD car. Hope this helps, and if anyone has that article I would be intrested in a copy, if you dont want to sell the original!

[pontiac locator]

sorry after I reread the post I left, my 74s sd 455 decals were placed there BY ME, not MOTION, sorry for any confusion.

[gtoric]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by DGuess:
...If the engine is the real deal, I am going to purchase the PHS packet for the car even though I have been strictly informed that "THIS CAR IS NOT FOR SALE". Thanks for the help. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
DGuess, any more info on the true nature of this '74? Did you get the PHS packet?

[pontiac locator]

is it real or is it memorex......

[pontiac locator]

LOL....sorry couldnt resist!

[704554spdGP]

Yea,give us the low down, at least tell ME what town it's in, I am near Paducah, where are you?? Ricky D.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by gtoric:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by DGuess:
...If the engine is the real deal, I am going to purchase the PHS packet for the car even though I have been strictly informed that "THIS CAR IS NOT FOR SALE". Thanks for the help. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
DGuess, any more info on the true nature of this '74? Did you get the PHS packet? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[dguess]

Sorry fellas, but I have been working on opening a new business here in Madisonville, KY. I have gathered and printed all of the information from your posts and plan on going to look at the car as soon as I get a chance. Thanks for all of the info. Don

[Region Warrior]

my older brother ordered one when they first came out. the only engine available was 350ci. but that was quickly changed.

[loren]

Thats what I thought to, but who knows.

[Larry Navarro]

FWIW....
The '74 Buick Apollo(similar GTO) was offered with a GSX option package with a 350.
Back in '77 I worked with a guy who had one.
Never seen another since.

[David Holmberg]

This should help some...

In late 1973 A friend special ordered a 74 GTO with the 455 SD. It was initially accepted then he was notified that the factory would NOT install the motor in the car. He was given the option of having the motor installed by the dealer; he declined as they would treat the 350 as a used motor.

This was in Lexington KY, Charlie Sturgil Pontiac.

Side note: He installed his own 455 with RAIV heads and ran 11.40's with it. However, when you hammered it the window frame would separate from the roof enough to pinch your fingers...

[bmpmdf]

There was a 74 GTO in Missouri that quickly lost it's 350 at the dealership for a SD-455 before delievery to the buyer. They stuck the 350 in a 73 LeMans that had a warrenty repair to replace a 350 engine with a knocking rod.