16 years ago in PONTIAC
Im going down to check out a few Pontiac's this weekend and want to know if I can tell by just looking - if the motor is a 421 or 389. Or do I have to know the numbers first?
Answers (2)
Did you find out anymore information about the engines you were going to look at?
Their is few clear indications visually if a block is a 421 or 389. Early blocks had what was known as a "transfer Lug" in the rear of the motors but this is hard to spot.
With Pontiac it is fairly easy to run numbers on engine blocks. The engine code is stamped on the front of the engine, under the head on the passenger side. The engine code is typically a 3 digit code "36P" for example would be a 389V8 303HP 4bbl. Automatice block.
I would suggest you spend the 30.00 bucks and buy Pete McCarthy's Performance Pontiac Book! Lots of good reading and all the engine codes, it is well worth the money!