[SD455DJ]

The 455HO that is temporarily going in the ’70 Formula has ’71 197 heads, but the block is a ’72 YE 455 (J201 casting date) which, according to the ’72 service manual, is for a ’72 F-body 455HO automatic application only, not A-body. Other sources don’t list a YE code 455 anywhere or for any application. The block’s partial VIN stamp is from the Pontiac plant, so possibly installed in an A-body. We haven’t run the VIN by Jim Mattison, but are curious what the PY family may know.

Dennis

[Held for Ransom]

Looks like a restamped YC to me.

['ol Pinion head]

YE was the 455 HO usage code with T400 & 2126 points distrib for '72 TransAms & A-body's.
Have owned a '72 YE shortblock w a Lakewood plant partial VIN, & have viewed several other YE's in original '72 455 HO auto GTO's.

Not sure what is up with the Pontiac Service Manual. Most likely, can likely chock it up to the Pontiac Service Manual being printed months before the 72 Pontiac models actually began being produced. Later in the '72 model year run, a half dozen new engine codes were introduced. When I was busting my butt w my engine core retrieval program going in the 90's, ran across & pulled several such later 72 model engine blocks that the codes were not listed in Pete's book. At the time, those codes were on no ones printed "lists", believe they were noted in '72 TSBs. Know Rocky & I conversed about them over 2 decades ago.

[SD455DJ]

Originally Posted by Held for Ransom

Looks like a restamped YC to me.

Mike, I'm seeing a "C" hiding under the 'E' now...Roger pointed out the "3" at the start of the 6-digit sequential number is usually reserved for B--bodies, so a second strike against it being a true 455 HO block. Thanks for both of your insight. It's definitely a restamp.

Dan rebuilt this one 20+ years ago and found his records for the build. It is a 2-bolt main block and doesn't have a record of who he bought it from. It was already .030 over, so had to go .040 over when he rebuilt if for the pure stock drags.

Dennis