[goat69SD]

Originally Posted by Greg Reid

That's what I was thinking, that last digit is probably something other than a 7.

Was there anything in 77? I have looked again I cant see anything but a 7 That part looks very clear. But it wouldn't be the first time I was wrong .

[goat69SD]

Originally Posted by johnta1

Also, there is probably a partial VIN on the block, down the passenger side next to the timing cover. It will look something like this:

29A1xxxxx with the x's being numbers, The 'A' is the plant so could be a few different letters.

I posted a picture where the YD was and there was a number there. Would that be the serial number?

[goat69SD]

Originally Posted by johnta1

Also, there is probably a partial VIN on the block, down the passenger side next to the timing cover. It will look something like this:

29A1xxxxx with the x's being numbers, The 'A' is the plant so could be a few different letters.

I posted a picture where the YD was and there was a number there. Would that be the serial number?It was 0359549

[johnta1]

No, that is called the Engine Unit Number or Motor Unit Number.
I have a database of these that I collect.
The VIN will be down where the timing cover radiator hose connection comes out.

The block code makes the engine a 1968 or 1969 engine block.
The YD is a 1969 block code, with no YD in 1968. The 1967 block would be 9786133 block code.

With the partial VIN it will show what year the block is for. The Plant code from it would possibly show what car it came in. (or not come in)

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

It might be L108 , instead of B017 , if by chance it was viewed upside down.

The date code on your intake manifold is next to thermostat housing.
Same format , might as well check it too

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

On the passenger side - of the front of the block - look all alongside the timing cover for a 9 digit number stamped into the block.
That will be the partial VIN

[goat69SD]

Thank you all. I will get some more numbers today if possible. I love trying to find out the history of these engines and cars.

[goat69SD]

Originally Posted by Baron Von Zeppelin

On the passenger side - of the front of the block - look all alongside the timing cover for a 9 digit number stamped into the block.
That will be the partial VIN

I found the numbers by the timing chain cover. 29X127978 Possibly something like this? 1969 400 YD 9790071 2 Bar Carb 290 Full-Size

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Yep .
The casting date must actually be L108 - that would be Nov or Dec 10, 1968 (69 model year)
Some years skipped "I" on casting dates , and I don't remember now about 69.

The 2 is for Pontiac
9 is the model year
X is the Plant - X must be a full size car plant . I'm not familiar with it.
A 69 GTO could be ordered with an economy 400 2bbl engine , but this isn't one of those.

Your car would have been a WT code block with 48 heads
As far as design parameters , you have basically the same stuff now.
Plus the big exh. manifolds

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Not a big issue , but something that can benefit you a little going forward when surrounded by other Pontiac-aholics .... the 13 Heads are open chamber - not closed chamber.
1967 was the last year PMD used closed chamber design on production heads.

Check your intake casting date.
Maybe get lucky and be 1969.

And carb number too.

[Greg Reid]

Well, to settle whether he's reading it upside down or not, and someone can correct me here if I'm wrong, but I believe if you're looking at it from the top, the top of the script should be towards the intake and and bottom towards the firewall.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

It could also have been placed/cast upside down at the foundry.
idunno

But you are describing the correct viewing angle.
To say, standing behind the engine and reading the date code.

[goat69SD]

Originally Posted by Baron Von Zeppelin

Not a big issue , but something that can benefit you a little going forward when surrounded by other Pontiac-aholics .... the 13 Heads are open chamber - not closed chamber.
1967 was the last year PMD used closed chamber design on production heads.

Check your intake casting date.
Maybe get lucky and be 1969.

And carb number too.

I looked at these heads before mounting them. They were closed chamber and the valves were (if memory serves) 2.0 something exhaust 1. 7 or 9 can't remember now. But seemed very large to me. I have the build date on heads and the intake.

[goat69SD]

Originally Posted by Greg Reid

Well, to settle whether he's reading it upside down or not, and someone can correct me here if I'm wrong, but I believe if you're looking at it from the top, the top of the script should be towards the intake and and bottom towards the firewall.

The engine is in the car and you are so right. I looked at it backwards it is L108.

[Greg Reid]

The intake date code is actually underneath that fuel line in your photo, right next to the water neck and it's in the exact same format as the date code by the distributor hole.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

2.11 and 1.77
Screw In Studs and Guide plates
Way better than what the 69 YD engine would come with.
They would have to have been shaved a ridiculous amount to make them closed chamber.
If so, that will be a problem with pump gas , amongst other possible problems.

Pontiac closed chamber heads stopped in 1967.
Just a pure solid fact from way back is all that is.
Possibly your perception is relating to them as closed chamber , compared to another brand.
That is why I pointed it out.
Been specializing in Pontiacs for almost 40 years now nonstop.

The intake is a late 68 all through 69 part number xxxx234
Congrats
Date code will tell what exactly

[goat69SD]

Originally Posted by Baron Von Zeppelin

2.11 and 1.77
Screw In Studs and Guide plates
Way better than what the 69 YD engine would come with.
They would have to have been shaved a ridiculous amount to make them closed chamber.
If so, that will be a problem with pump gas , amongst other possible problems.

Pontiac closed chamber heads stopped in 1967.
Just a pure solid fact from way back is all that is.
Possibly your perception is relating to them as closed chamber , compared to another brand.
That is why I pointed it out.
Been specializing in Pontiacs for almost 40 years now nonstop.

The intake is a late 68 all through 69 part number xxxx234
Congrats
Date code will tell what exactly

Trust me I don't doubt you. They were very small chambers the did not open to the full cylinder size. At any rate most dates seem to be accurate to 69. Was those numbers on the picture of the head the date code? G029?

[goat69SD]

Would this be the engine listed here except with a 4bbl manifold now?
1969 400 YD 9790071 2 Bar Carb 290 Full-Size

[goat69SD]

So in Pontiac this is not considered closed chamber? These are #13 heads . Just trying to understand what is what.

[b-man]

Closed chambers on the top typical of 1967 and earlier heads (1964 9770716 pictured) and open chambers on the bottom typical of 1968 and later heads (1970 #13 pictured).