It's been a few years since I sold my numbers matching '67 GTO, but I'm sure that the number stamped on the block is not the VIN, but rather the engine number that comes on the build sheet. You need the PHS docs or original build sheet to match these numbers to the block. You hard core Poncho guys can correct me if I'm wrong. BTW, mine was the same color combo and I think the gold was the most popular color that year. Brian
You are correct. Pontiac did not begin stamping VINs on the engine block until 1968. The number referenced is the Engine Unit Number which has nothing to do with the VIN. If the Protecto Plate still exists for this car, the EUN was also stamped on the plate, and this is really the only way to verify that this engine was the one it rolled out of the factory with.
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Another way to get a "feel" for if an early GTO engine is correct or not, is to look at the engine date codes. The blocks/heads were made in advance of the car body, so the date codes should be a week to maybe a couple weeks older than the body. Too old would be a problem and if the block is newer than the body you have a problem for sure. The date codes at the distibutor pad are hard to change since they are raised castings produced with the casting pour. The stamped letter/number code on the front of the block is easy to alter. There are Pontiac vendors that advertise "date code" blocks for sale. Restorers needing that particular date will pay big bucks, because they know it will make the restoration after the front pad is restamped. I agree to an earlier posting by staged70 that the "S" in the WS stamping looks suspect. I've owned many Pontiac engines and those stampings are normally very weak. So weak that they sometimes nearly disappear if you put more than one coat of paint on the block. The frame under the engine has definitely been altered/repaired and not in a good way.
