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71 LeMans with YU 455 crate engine

 
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gilby



Joined: 27 Nov 2007
Posts: 27


1978 TransAm

PostPosted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 1:08 am    Post subject: 71 LeMans with YU 455 crate engine Reply with quote

I am buying this car as a driver in southern California. The seller has owned this car over 30 years. He told me he replaced the orig. Pontiac 350 with a YU coded 455 sourced through a Pontiac dealer in Arizona a few years after buying it from the original owner. He said someone told him that Pontiac had run out of 455's and the block was obtained from Olds. Does this sound right? Rolling Eyes
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Larry
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Joined: 01 Jun 2006
Posts: 4768




PostPosted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 7:58 am    Post subject: Olds 455? Reply with quote

Never heard that story before, but that doesn't mean it might not be true.

More possibly, though, I wonder if this is more of a hybrid story through the confusion often found over the fact that Pontiacs going to California in the '70s contained Oldsmobile engines due to the Pontiac engines not meeting emission requirements (Trans Ams and Can Ams come to mind).

I'm sure some others will have the exact answer on this.
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gilby



Joined: 27 Nov 2007
Posts: 27


1978 TransAm

PostPosted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 4:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I had a Oldsmobile 403 in my 1978 California Y-88 T/A and I think Olds produced a 455, although by 1978 they had been phased out I believe.

Does anyone know if Olds and Pontiac shared similar casting codes? This engine has what looks like a Pontiac YU code.
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gilby



Joined: 27 Nov 2007
Posts: 27


1978 TransAm

PostPosted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 6:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks Bruce, I looked under the engine and lo and behold it said 400! The engine is still in the car and I haven't been able to read the casting number on the rear passenger side of the block. I am wondering if there is another location for the casting # on the block?
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gilby



Joined: 27 Nov 2007
Posts: 27


1978 TransAm

PostPosted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 12:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

OK, I have a YU coded Pontiac engine with engine casting number 500557. What is it??? Smile
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Larry
Site Admin


Joined: 01 Jun 2006
Posts: 4768




PostPosted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:04 am    Post subject: Engine ID Reply with quote

If you go to: http://www.pontiacregistry.com/members/viewtopic.php?t=1047 you will find a listing of Pontiac engine block codes.

Investigating shows YU in 1966 = 389; in 1969-72= 350; in 1975= 455; and in 1977-79= 400.

If you show a "400" on the block and a "YU" too, you probably have the '77-79 400. If so, it may be a little de-tuned, but the right engine for today's gasolines. As Trans Am and Can Am owners know, these can be some very capable engines.
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rexs73gto



Joined: 17 Sep 2015
Posts: 94
Location: Niles MI

1973 GTO

PostPosted: Thu Oct 01, 2015 1:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Being a 557 block makes it a not very strong block as the 557 blocks were thin webbed blocks that even Pontiac knew & stopped making them because of warr. problems with the bottom end breaking out & having to replace the complete block because of this. Don't try to rebuild that block so it puts out much more then 400 HP as you'll be running on thin ground.
_________________
I have a 73 GTO that I bought new, well it was a demo because the car I ordered was an SD car which never came in & i had to take what was left because I was in the Navy & had to talk to the dealer when I could.
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