i am trying to determine what engine is in the 71 GS i recently bought. the stamping on the drivers side of the block between the two rear plugs looks like an F then a blank space, then I74. am i looking at the correct stampings? if so, what do they mean? runs strong wharever it is. thanks for the help!!
The cid is cast in the block on the step right below the back of the intake. Also how many hold downs bolts are on the valve covers?
For a Buick with a distrb in the front 5 bolts = 400, 430 or 455 cid Buick. If the engine is original it is a 455. Mostly likely the code is a SF --meaning a non stage 1 small valve 70 455. If original to the car it should be a TA or TR.
If you really clean the deck around the dip stick hole, disregrd the numbers and reallize the spacing beween the S and the F is a lot more than you would expect, then I think you will see the S. If it is realluy a SF the pattial VIN should be on the deck between the #1 and 3 plugs. It would not likely be the one for your car. If it is a 71 engine the cast number behind the intake will end in 661. If it is a 70 the cast number behind the back of the intake manifold on the block will be 1231738.
Jim, just a few corrections on 71 engines. The VIN is cast on the front of the block near the top of the power steering bracket not near the 1 and 3 plugs. Very few people appear to know this. I have my original Stage-1 block and another 71 from an Electra and they both follow this pattern. It also shows this in the 71 assembly manual. Also 71 could have either the 738 or the 661 block. They swithched mid year sometime. My original block dated February is the 738 and the later block dated June is the 661. IF you look at the front of the block facing the front on the left hand side just above the water pump there may be a date code which is a letter and a number. If it is there it is probaly a 738 block. The 661 blocks are date coded inside under the intake. What is the build date of your 71? This may tell what block you should have.
Yes I know that and if you read above you will see that I was referring to a 70 engine I concluded he might have in there because of the F he referenced. Thus the the SF reference and the location I gave him to look for that VIN was correct. I also asked to to confirm the year with the casting number behind the intake.
We have owned both year cars and often they are behind the PS pump. Sometimes they are on the block under the head on the passenger side.
I have seen some 455's from wagons that had VIN on passenger side as well. Pretty weird when someone showed me this.
I have imported a 72 Riviera (build date 9/71) to Australia, and have to show the local "DMV" the engine number, I have "F 084" between plugs 5 & 7, nothing between plugs 1 & 3, so I am assuming the engine number will be on the front of the block. Does the power steer pump have to be removed to see the engine number? TIA
Well...spent a few hours on the Riv tonight, pulled the smog and ps pumps and their bracket, cleaned the area under the bracket and found....nothing, so that left only one place to look... front of block, right side, above oil pump, and bingo, numbers matching block. So what I have is a 72 Riv built 9/71, cast on back of block "455" "1238861" between plugs 5 & 7 "F 084" and the engine number on the right side, front of block. Do those numbers give me any more details? TIA
There should be a "W" in front of the "F" under 5 and 7 plugs. They did not always stamp these neat so it may be hidden by head or very faint. The 084 is a production code that may have relevance to a date. I know some here know it but is is top secret.:bglasses: WF was standard 455 in 72.
Hi, I'm working on a 71 455 with the same casting number as OzBro 1238861, not 1238661 as Jim specifiedo No: It's a TR 41H4( i can't make out the rest), head casting numbers 1237881 & 1 37881, I don't know what's it out of? The 70 motor I have here there's no question on the numbers SF 13,40H149992, casting 1231738. out of a 70 Electra 225. Bruce
Sorry about my typo. It is ....8861 Any chance that you might also have made a typo as 71 production heads were 1237661. The six numbers can be mistaken for the eights you list above. I believe the donor car was a 71 model GS 455.
TR is 71 455. Heads should be 1237661 for 71. You should double check it. 71 blocks swithced from 1231738 to 1238861 mid year 71. Not disputing Jim but this is what I have found. I own both casting #s 71's
Just searching the net and found some good info here: (sorry...too few posts to be allowed to include links) trishieldperf.com/engine_identification.htm trishieldperf.com/new_page_2.htm OzBro
