I notice the PHS Engine Identification Chart i recieved has marked out WM and XB blocks. Anyone know why? And was wondering if the XB block (which i have) was a service replacement block or just another block.
I agree, just the letters they happened to pick. I found three: 1967 400 260 HP no carb, emissions or car specs; 1967 400 260 HP 2 brl auto full size car; 1969 350 265 HP 2 brl auto Firebird.
What year is your block? From what I've found XB code 400s only went into 67 full size cars, XB 350s only went into 69 Firebirds. But if it is a service replacement that could be different. Ths service replacement ID is not in the stamping on the front but in the casting on the back. They didn't normally have an engine number stamped onto the front unless that was done when it was put into a car as a replacement engine.
I think the XXX0079 is suposed to be 9790079. Could be a bad casting or damaged or ground. Don't think it is a service replacement number.They did use the last number of the casting number for the date so you should have a 69 date code over by the distributor hole. A letter for the month, two digits for the day of the month and a 9 for the year. What about the number on the front just above the pan? Not the 149568 block serial number with the XB code but the lower one just to the right of the timing cover above the pan, on the left looking from the front. Should be a couple of numbers a letter then six numbers., should be vertical not horizontal.
It is 768 numbers off from my VIN. I'm supposed to have a YE block. The XB block in now is a correct 350...with #62 heads. I dont think GM combined the two for a production car.
Yes. The Partial VIN starts with "29" and then "L" (Lordstown)....and the rest is the sequential vin which SHOULD match the dash vin. Mine doesn't match. It is 768 off. My PHS sheet says it should have YE block.
I think I would contact PHS and ask them for a favor. Apparently you have already paid the fee to get your car's documents. Maybe they could look up the VIN on your engine that is off 768 to see if they have a record of it. It may give some clues to what happened.
Since my block has a vin already stamped then it obviously came from another car. Any other possibilities? But it's a good idea. My car WAS Palladium Silver, but was painted T/A white long ago and has 38,000 showing. Cool car anyway. The pic attached is from the PHS documents. It only shows a highlighted '350 with a YE block'. There is nothing in my packet that shows proof or some cross-reference that my VIN# matches this block type. The only solid info i recieved was the dealer order form. It was a customer special order sent to a dealership in Oregon.
Last edited by Green; 01/25/2002:01 AM. Reason: Added a PHS pic
I've seen pics of service replacement engines stamped SR then the six serial numbers of the car. Could be fake who knows?
I think the SR engines had the block serial number and the block code but the lower number were left off and then stamped on when installed in the car.
I'd say your original was taken out at sometime in the last 51 years and replaced with one from a different car. No big deal, just not numbers matching. My cars Vin indicates it was a 6 cylinder car when made. It had a 428 in it when I bought it. Works for me.
I think it's ok too. Not even letters-matching..lol. I bought the Bird from a Ford Dealership 3 months ago that told me it was an H.O. with matching numbers. But it does have a superb period-correct setup and original matching TH350. Hey, is it common on these V8 heads to get hotter in the middle two ports? Fresh paint changed there first. might be cause they're 400 heads on a 350. I stuck a camera up engine when i replaced pan gasket. It's got ARP rod bolts (which is good) but i cant figure out the pistons. I attached a pic of the inside and top of piston.
Maybe, or Summit? Federal Mogul has the Sealed Power and Speed Pro brands. Don't know who makes them or the Summit ones. Maybe United Engine and Machine if they're made in US, If china, who knows? Most of the brands of pistons, lifters, camshafts etc. aren't made by the people who's name's on the box. They're usually made by one company who puts the sellers logo on the box and sometimes on the part. Or that company gets them made by whatever company in china will do it for the least cost.
Anybody know if the factory letter within the VIN always matched the factory letter on the engine? My car is a June '69 Norwood; it's XB engine is from "L". Also, thanks for the SR block pic. I wonder if PHS has any documentation from dealerships that recorded maintenance. I actually took my bird back to the dealership my PHS doc states it landed at. They now sell Kia and nobody knew anything. It was called Frank Newell Pontiac in Gresham, Oregon. Here's a pic of my car interupting the service department's fine Kia process.
I don't know, but since the stamping was done during assy it makes sense the engine was stamped at the same assembly plant the car was being put together at. Your engine came from a car assembled at the Lordstown plant.
Is Lordstown the plant that was having a strike? I'm guessing when all birds (and engines) were transferred to Norwood there might been mixed up numbers. This might have happened DURING the move period and later smoothed out. My engine "L" is 768 numbers off (earlier) from its body "N". But interestingly, the TH350 is number matching the body. I assume it's just a replaced engine. But at least it's the correct 350 and earlier date stamp than the body. The date stamp is Oct 9, 1968 but has a big casting date next to it that says "69".
Correction: The plant that went on strike was Van Nuys.
Last edited by Green; 02/02/2002:44 PM. Reason: correct plant