[3 goats]

I have a 66 GTO Tripower 4 sp with PHS documentation. It has a 66 block which has a date stamp after its December 65 build date so obviously not original. Heads and tri power are wrong too. Its in good shape runs well and has an older restoration including a nice albeit non-original (not even a pontiac color) paint job. I wouldn't mind investing in a proper restoration but would like to secure a proper (WS?) block, heads and tri-power set up. My understanding is that as a 66 there are no vin stamps on the engine. Problem is that 66 block is different from a 65 (if my research is correct) and therefore I have a short window of production from which to find a legit block (august 65 or whenever they did the year changeovers then) up thru November. Not looking to hoodwink anyone but just assume do this the right way if im going to do it at all.

Any suggestions on where to look for proper date coded block?

[ftwmlp]

Originally Posted by 3 goats

I have a 66 GTO Tripower 4 sp with PHS documentation. It has a 66 block which has a date stamp after its December 65 build date so obviously not original. Heads and tri power are wrong too. Its in good shape runs well and has an older restoration including a nice albeit non-original (not even a pontiac color) paint job. I wouldn't mind investing in a proper restoration but would like to secure a proper (WS?) block, heads and tri-power set up. My understanding is that as a 66 there are no vin stamps on the engine. Problem is that 66 block is different from a 65 (if my research is correct) and therefore I have a short window of production from which to find a legit block (august 65 or whenever they did the year changeovers then) up thru November. Not looking to hoodwink anyone but just assume do this the right way if im going to do it at all.

Any suggestions on where to look for proper date coded block?

From my research you are correct, WS is the engine code for a TriPower block and the part number will be 9778789 to ensure a '66 block casting. When I went searching for a WS block a few years ago they were not to be had. WT (66 manual trans) blocks were more available so I purchased one of those for a prospective build which has never happened. It is date coded K 24 6.

There is a member here on these forums, Alex S, who from time to time posts for sale some of the more hard to find engines/blocks. You might PM him to see what, if anything, he currently has. There is a commercial yard, Franks Pontiac Parts, that always seem to have some blocks (and much more) available, he is very good about keeping his inventory current on the website www.frankspontiacparts.com. I have not purchased an engine or block from Franks.

Good Luck!

[3 goats]

Originally Posted by ftwmlp

From my research you are correct, WS is the engine code for a TriPower block and the part number will be 9778789 to ensure a '66 block casting. When I went searching for a WS block a few years ago they were not to be had. WT (66 manual trans) blocks were more available so I purchased one of those for a prospective build which has never happened. It is date coded K 24 6.

There is a member here on these forums, Alex S, who from time to time posts for sale some of the more hard to find engines/blocks. You might PM him to see what, if anything, he currently has. There is a commercial yard, Franks Pontiac Parts, that always seem to have some blocks (and much more) available, he is very good about keeping his inventory current on the website www.frankspontiacparts.com. I have not purchased an engine or block from Franks.

Good Luck!

Will do. Thanks!

[GT182]

3 goats, can you tell me if there are shoulder belts or the provisions for them under the headliner just behind the front seats but in front of the clothes hanger hook. I've heard some in that time frame did have them, or the attachment points for them. Other say no they didn't, so I'm just checking to make it clearer. Nothing in print is always true. One way to check too is a 3/16ths hole punched in the bottom of the data plate that shows they could be installed if not already included from the factory.

[3 goats]

Originally Posted by GT182

3 goats, can you tell me if there are shoulder belts or the provisions for them under the headliner just behind the front seats but in front of the clothes hanger hook. I've heard some in that time frame did have them, or the attachment points for them. Other say no they didn't, so I'm just checking to make it clearer. Nothing in print is always true. One way to check too is a 3/16ths hole punched in the bottom of the data plate that shows they could be installed if not already included from the factory.

Its a convertible... cant help you sorry

[GT182]

Originally Posted by 3 goats

Its a convertible... cant help you sorry

LOL... Ok, but buckle up anyway.

How about a photo or two?

[geeteeohguy]

If you have the original Protect-O-Plate with the car, it will have the original EUN (Engine Unit Number). So even if you find the right coded and stamped block, it will be 'correct', but not 'born with'. I have the POP for my '65 Tripower car, and because of that, never bothered to find a correct WS block to replace the original grenaded engine. I ended up with a properly date coded WT block and have been running that for the past 38 years.