Topic: ENGINE ID , NEED HELP!

[turbota400]

The casting numbers are on the passenger's side at the rear of the block just in front of the bellhousing.  And IF you can see them, the size of the motor is cast into the block under the exhaust manifolds.

[Joker (§ir£Ðragon)]

There will be a short code on the front of the block on the passenger's side between the head and the water pump. That is the engine code. If I'm reading Brett's list correctly that should be "PWH" if it's the original engine for your '79. Then on the rear of the engine towards the driver's side from the distributor hole will be the 4 digit date code. The casting number will be on the block behind the passenger's side head.

Here's one question that I forgot to ask though. Is your car a 4 spd?

[bryant]

no its a 3 speed with a rebuilt 400, i just want to 1. make sure its a 400 and 2. see what kind of engine it is.

[bryant]

so i guess ill have to pull the engine out to see any numbers that would be useful? Its real tight in the back of these TA's

[turbota400]

It takes a little practice but you can use a smalll mirror and a flashlight to look at the back of the block and get the numbers

[Joker (§ir£Ðragon)]

It's a 3 spd auto?


Look on the front of the engine at the red arrow.



This will get a start on finding out what it is.

[bryant]

its an automatic. believe it or not there are no numbers at that location, does this mean it not a Poncho?

[Joker (§ir£Ðragon)]

No, it's defitely a Pontiac engine. Maybe it's a GM replacement block. I've just learned to use the two or three letters/numbers stamped into the block at that location as the first means to ID them. In that case TurboTA400 is right. Time to get out the mirror.

The reason I was asking about the tranny is because I'm pretty sure there were no 400/automatic cars built in '79.

[bryant]

I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND PULL OUT THE ENGINE TO CLEAN IT AND PAINT IT, SO I'LL LET YOU KNOW WHAT THE NUMBERS ARE WHEN I GET THEM. I REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYBODYS HELP.

[Joker (§ir£Ðragon)]

No problem!

[Rick]

The numbers will, in all likelihood, be there, but understand that the numbers/letters there are STAMPED into the block (in the machined surface) and may be very light -- not to mentioned covered over by crud, although your engine looks pretty clean overall.  Just look closely.