Technical Strange 400 Pontiac engine

I coudnt see anything under the car but I found this under the distributor.... see picture.

 

I also found a 97790 on the driver side

 

I think I found a transfer lug too... see picture

 

I removed a spark plug wire and found a 9336

 

1967 428, the head casting number 670 and the lug on the corner rear of the block. See here, http://www.wallaceracing.com/head1.htm

 

So Joe, you think it's a 428? Why do you think the block is stamped XJ in the front? Could they have used a 428 block for this 400 engine? It is the original engine for the car and has regular valve covers and air cleaner. I understand that the 428 had chrome valve covers and air cleaner.

 

Valve covers can be changed. Although ... in 1969, you wouldn't have to change from chrome valve covers. That was the lower horsepower year, with painted covers.

Previous years, '67, and '68 had chrome valve covers, and the higher hp engines. 370 plus. '69 was a torque monster, but about 100 hp less.

I'd take any year of those engines. My parents' neighbor has a '69 Bonneville convertible with a 428. It will definitely, get out of it's own way.

 

Is there any chance you could take a photo of your Engine Code stamping? You may want to scrape paint if needed. I am leaning toward it being a 67 400, 350 HP, 10.5:1 Compression with 670 heads. I seem to recall running across a 400 block with the transfer lug, but let me check my sources on that one. I have a block that I need to check at my folks place and its quite buried so It may be a while, sorry.

 

Where would I find the engine stamping? i found some numbers in the pictures I posted above.

 

67' up, will have a code, stamped on the passenger side block, under the passenger side head, indicating the car that the original engine, came out of.

Having said that, with the casting codes, etc ... that you have thus far, accumulated ... this next web page may help zero it in, further.

http://www.pontiacpower.net/numbers/

 

670 heads are decent heads. They are the last of the closed chambers but have the new big valves..

I always thought the closed chambered heads ran better on street engines... I always wanted to put a set of closed chambered heads on a 455/462.. I think they made low compression heads in 67 with the big valves and closed chambers. Put a Nunzi 2041 cam in there, have the machine shop install screwed in rocker studs and your set..

http://ronspontiacpage.com/reference-pages/nunzi.htm

 

Thanks everyone for the help. From everything I can gather, I believe my block is a 400 block but Pontiac included some 428 parts. The transfer lug is there but not a pyramid, it has a flat top so I wonder if they used whatever parts they had to build the engine. In any case, when the engine was rebuilt, the engine shop spec'ed it to a 428. I just need chrome valve covers and air cleaner and away I go. Thanks.

 

I took a picture of a friends 428 engine and he has the exact looking transfer lug as I do. Now I don't know what I have again. I have attached a picture of his engine near the distributor. Is that the transfer lug on the top?

 

Mine looks like this

 

If its a 428 it will say 428 between the freeze plugs.

If its a 428 its stamp codes will list it as a 428. The stamp code location was given above. Pad on front of block on passenger side just below the head.

What is the codes on the pad?

 

If it is actually stamped XJ , that pretty much narrows it down to a 1969 428 .
Not a 400 and not an original engine..Bad info

(Yes, I know about the 67 heads but it's been apart and rebuilt so whoever did it originally may have wanted the 67 400 appearance)

 

Yours will be stamped just like this 455,
First photo shows the transfer lug ( ONLY used on the big engines 421, 428, 455 ) and casting date ( 1971 for this block )
Second photo shows the lifter galley, with " 55" cast into it, for 455
Third photo, 455 cast in side of block behind dipstick
Forth photo, 455 cast into side of block on drivers side front
Fifth photo, shows engine code stamped into the passenger side front of block.

Yours will have all the same markings. Pontiac did not install 428 pieces on a 400, someone else might have, but the factory never did. And again, 400s did not have the lug on the rear of the block, that was there to identify the bigger engines on the assembly line.

 

This has been said 47 times already,,,,
It’s getting old already.

I don’t know what this engine is,,, Pontiac must have installed large journal parts in my 400 because it’s got painted valve covers.

Sell the damn car or go buy a flashlight.

 

31vicky if i ever run into you in the wild remind me i owe you a beer !!

 

Absolutely,,,,,,!!!
It is cast into the block near the freeze plugs,,,they have even shown pics of where it is.
Unless you have a health issue and can’t get down on the ground.
Jack it up and look,,,really easy to see.
If not,,,get a friend to help,,,maybe they can see it.

They are right,,,,Pontiac did not put different parts in there from the factory.

Tommy

 

I don't know but changing the badges might turn into a real project here

 

Thanks to everyone. I also owe 31vicky and the rest of you beers as well.

 

Tequila for me please.
I’m allergic to beer

 

And then..the verdict is ??

 

I don't know Pontiacs but I like beer!
Does that count?

 

Okay! I'll bring the Cuervo Gold, you bring the beer, and we'll go over to Johnny G's and change the badges for him.

 

Let me look, I think I have some bowtie badges lay'n around!

 

He could have pulled the head off and posted the bore n stroke by now and we would all be drunk.

 

Ha ha..Actually don't need to measure a thing. a 428 piston is unique and easily recognized.
Not sure about the head pullin' here .So far , no underneath picture of the block marking behind the fuel pump.