Eastflorida

I have verified I have E heads, 403686. How can I determine if they were the standard 455 or the 442/W-33/W-34 heads?

These were 1970 heads I suspect because the block is Serif "F" which was 2nd gen 70-74

The TH-400 has the OW code which appears to be from the W30 option?

Any ideas what else to search for to fully ID the engine & trans?

Thanks!

PS - I just found this. Anyone have pics to help me understand what I'm looking for?
"
Telling a big valve E head from a regular 2-incher is easy as long as nobody has done any head work to it. All big valve E heads have valve spring dampers in them and standard small valve heads do not. So all you have to do is to pop a valve cover off and peek at the valve springs. If you see what appears to be a flat spring inside of the regular valve spring it is a big valve head. If you just see a single valve spring with nothing else, then it is a small valve head. Keep in mind that this rule applies to 1970 E heads only. "

2blu442

I think you got some bad info on the heads. But skip that, if you have the OW transmission the first step is to see if its original to the car or not. Here's a couple pictures that show where the vin derivative is stamped on the TH400 transmissions 1968 and newer. Check this and let us know what you find. John

Fun71

I don't think there is any difference other than intake valve diameters and springs, and those could be changed with a valve job.

There is no suspecting about it, they are 1970 as that was the only year E heads were used.

And a 1970 W-30 engine would have had F heads from the factory.

fast eddie

Post the vin derivative if it doesn't match your car. Some of us are looking for our original transmissions...

Eastflorida

I know the engine, transmission and rear are not original. I'm guessing it's possible the entire drive train was pulled from a 1970? Carb doesn't appear to be correct though - or is it?

Here are some pics... Block, manifold, head, trans...

EDIT/Update............................................ ...............................

Carb 7041540 MF Decodes to:
1971
Quadrajet 4 BBL California Standards or High Altitude
Buick (THIS IS DISAPPOINTING?)
Auto Trans

So, I now know the carb... more questions than answers.... The investigation continues...
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Manifold info I found...
404521 MANIFOLD, Intake Manifold, 4-bbl, Iron, Casting ID = "L"
70-71 A-body 455 AT & MT exc. W30. [also used on Big Cars]
Heater Fitting Threads SMALL [3/8"]
1970 std issue BB Intake PN 231399 per CD PNM, $178.00
'Also order bushing 8.963, pn 128140' = Fuel Line Reducer Bushing, 3/8 x 1/2"
PN 404848 perhaps, after adding PCV Nipple, per ROP disc'n
L-R-U intakes are commonly found on 70-72 Era BB's of all type

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Any chance I have an engine/trans from a 1970 442?

joe_padavano

^^^THIS!

The VIN derivative stamp on the block will tell you the year of the block. No guessing is required.