A have a couple questions re: the codes on my 455 block. This is the original engine out of my '70 GS 455. I purchased this GS bone stock from the original owner in 1982. Here's the deal, the cowl tag date code reads the 2nd week of May, the heads and intake are D-24 (April 24th). The block (1231738) has the date code of B-4 (Feb. 4th?). The block VIN is 40Z121176, correct for the car. There are two strange things about this I'm wondering about. First, the VIN is stamped on the drivers side front of the block just below the deck surface, not the deck itself. Second, why is date code over two months before the intake and heads? Also, why do all VIN stampings start with a number "4"? I decked the block many years ago so those stampings are no longer visible, however I'm positive it had the correct "SR" code.
Vin # Because the VIN # is on the front of the block and because the VIN has a Z in it, your GS was probably assembled at the Fremont , California plant. Your cowl tag should show a Z before the body number. The D24 date shows the heads and intake to be cast before the car was assembled as they should be. As for the block, hard to tell why it has a February casting date but it still is before the car was assembled which is as it should be. I have a Fremont built 70 GS455 that has the original engine and it is stamped on the face of the block also. There was some discussion on the board about this in the past. Have fun with your GS! Larry
