I've got a 1970 GS Stage 1 without the original engine, it has a period correct casting for the 455 but the numbers stamped on the front of the block are 46068 just under the head on the drivers bank. Can anyone give me any information. the casting # on the back saddle is123738 indicating 1970 and 1971. would this be a replacement engine or what? Any help is appreciated..
Thanks for the reference and I have checked there but the numbers have been milled off or were never there from the beginning. That is why I was wondering about the numbers on the front of the block on the drivers side. They should indicate a forging plant which would be a letter and some numerical sequencing open for deciphering, but mine only shows the 5 digit number. I was wondering is this a factory replacement motor or what.
Service replacement blocks carry a particular code that you would see. Since you have not mentioned it, maybe your block was decked.
Your stamping is in the correct place for a service replacement shortblock. Although all of them I have seen are a 6 digit code starting with E, or an 8 Digit code Starting with a B B0E12345 would be an example B= Buick Motor Division 0= Service motor for the 70 model year and the E12345 is the part number. I have seen several that omit the B and year designation, and just begin with the E.. JW
Thanks for all the info guys, and I am still curious about the 5 digit # on the front of the block without any letter designations. Guess I'll continue looking for some kind off answer and thanks again for all the responses.
Look harder. Are the numbers stamped or cast? That is where the Vin was stamped on 71 455,s. Should be a 4 1 then six digits not five.
It is stamped and I have removed the Power steering pump and bracket and cleaned it with a wire wheel. Its clearly just the five digits and no letter and stamped directly under the valve cover on the front of the block. Code:
You have to understand, nearly every engine builder has a set of stamps, meaning these may not have been stamped at the factory.o No: You should look further to the left of those 5 digits, as all are not necessarily evenly spaced...
I have not seen that stamp from the factory before, and am about a certain as anyone can be, that it was put on there in a rebuild situation at some point in it's life. You would have to take it apart, and see it has all the stock parts, and all the standard sizes in it. JW
Its an obvious rebuild shop job number. Likely find that number on crank, maybe rods once torn down. Attached are pics of my 1971 NOS Factory Replacement. Notice the stamp is BE for BUICK ENGINE Shop then date coded. Also, note casting on back web is 455 24135 ..no 173 since it wasnt in production car. There is no serial number stamped on passenger side face accordingly since it was off the shelf, not installed by sshop for warranty or otherwise factory. I am curious what BUICK in 1970 did to provide service replacements since the 455 was new that year. Has anyone seen a 70 date coded replacement block that was installed? Has anyone seen a NOS from 70? What casting numbers were in the web, and did the dealer stamp the serial number on the block before installing it if done at a dealer regardless the year
From my understanding, all warrantee replacement engines and crate engines sold over the counter would have the type of stamps Jim listed. If you had a 69 GS 400 that failed under warrantee and GM was out of stock of the 400, you would have gotten a 70 455 as a replacement. Warrantee work would get replace with the current equivalent offered by GM.