Buick GS 1971, is she originally 350 or 455 ?

Hi from snowy Finland=)

I own this nice Buick GS from 1971, it has 455 under hood and all seems original.

Car was originally shipped to Sweden, there is no air conditioning, but rear window defogger exists =) it has also power windows and driver seat.

is there some way to define, if this is original GS455? if i understand correctly, VIN-number does not tell this. any other tag somewhere in car helps? there is no production sheet or anything like that available =/

Yours truly,
Arto Vartiainen
Finland

 

Hello Arto,
You can look for the VIN that is stamped on the block, if it matches your cars VIN then you have the original motor.

here is a link to Georges site:
http://buickperformance.com/455Blocknmbrs.htm

Let us know what you find.

 

Hi,

i didn't find number from block yet, but in register papers there is code "41Y132094" for motor.

VIN for car is "434371H140266" so it is not even close =)

i still try to locate that actual number also from block to be sure.

Arto.

 

hi again,

now i located engine number also from block and it seems to be this "41Y132094"...

so block is also from 1971 but this still is not original block of this car?

well, perhaps i can one day be sure, if this is original 455 or not =)

-a-

 

If you have factory documentation in the car, it might be under the back seat or on top of the gas tank. Without the original motor, that's about the only way you'll know what you have. A simple question: what does it say below the GS on the front fenders? If it has an emblem saying "Buick Motor Division", you can be pretty sure it started life as a 350 car.

 

Well, I can't tell you which one you have, but with 5,986 350's vs. 1481 455's (actually, 1480 minus mine) the odds are 4 to 1 it was a 350 car- have you looked at the steering shaft? What type of transmission does it have? what are the numbers off the transmission? Is there any evidence the motor mounts have been moved? Maybe these will be little clues....

 

If its a 71 GS Coupe then the frame numbers are different for 350 and 455 equipped cars. If its a conv then..................................o No:
Duane

 

Shipped as new or by a later purchaser?
A '71 GS originally sold in Canada can still be verified, quite easily.

 

If it has a Turbo 400 trans look at the numbers on the driver's side just above where the pan mates. Compare those to the car's partial Vin. If they match it is an indicia that he car came with a TH400 which is a GS 455 feature.

 

That number he gave for the block is not from his car so engine is not original but may still be original 455. I forget where Y plant is Delaware maybe?

 

Y = Wilmington, Delaware Plant

 

But a Flint built car based on the VIN posted. Correct?

 

Yes, so I though he was saying the current motor is nonoriginal.

 

Jim, I think he was asking that question if the block was original. Now the big thing for him is the trans and frame Numbers. If he is out there the frame part # is behind the rear left wheel. Like this which is 71 GS 455 frame number.

 

Check to see if car has Big or Small block steering shaft

 

and that is defined... how? =)

is there any pictures of such?

i try to take picture of mine this weekend and send it here...

-a-

 

Again a link to Georges wonderful site:
http://buickperformance.com/BBBshaft.htm
This explains the difference for steering shafts.

 

http://s332.photobucket.com/albums/m351/AJV_66/BuickGS1971/

it sure looks like BB shaft to me=)

maybe i do have original BB GS =))

-a-

 

Wow, Well that steering shaft sure is a positive for starts. I am still learning things on the site from the experts. But I have been told check that one first? So I would think if it has a 400 trans that would be another fast way to get an idea? But you still never know if these things have been changed. Could he take a quick look at the cross member for the Park brake cable hole? that would be easy. Of course the numbers would tell the final story. unless everything has been changed. just a thought.


Also not to hijack but changing the car from a 350 sbb to a 455 bbb, if a 350 car has {BUICK MOTOR DIVISION}under the GS fender emblems would they need to be changed to the 455 englem? Would there be any problems with the mounting holes when changing And would the Deck lid englems remain the same? I can start a new post if you all prefer.

 

I wouldn't believe the car is a true BB due to the steering shaft, they are changed all the time when people put in tilt columns etc.

The best bet would be to either check the trans or the frame numbers. If the trans is correct you have your answer, if not the frame numbers would tell you. Chances are the frame was not changed as that is a major undertaking.
Duane