Classics (Star Chief and 1957 to 1986) Converse about your Classic Bonneville.

Identifying engine size

Old 08-26-2010, 04:22 AM
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Default Identifying engine size

Hi All,

I am new in here. Last week I bought a 1965 Bonneville four door hard top. What I am not sure is if it is a 389 cid or a 421. I have no owners manual or any papers to indicate that. It has a steering-mounted trans lever and a 4 bbl Rochester carb. Could readers let me know its cid and if the engine is big block or a small? DO the VIN indicate anything in this regard?

I live in southern Africa region and Pontiacs are least known here. Chevys and Fords have dominated this region for the past few decades and now it is the Japanese. I can get help for my Pontiac only here! So please help!

Cheers!
Anith
Old 08-26-2010, 06:17 AM
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You most likely have a 389. If it had a 421, it would have 421 emblems on the front fenders.
If you look @ the front of the engine block, right under the passenger side cylinder head, you should see a 2 letter code. If the code is YE, you have a 325 horsepower 389.

The VIN will tell you if it is a 2 or 4 door and where it was built.

Pontiac V8'* are not big or small block. They all have the same basic size block from 326 to 455.

I will be parting out a 65 Bonneville 4 door hardtop soon, so if you need anything, PM me.
Old 08-27-2010, 02:11 AM
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Thank you very much for the info! I will look closely and check for the letters on the engine. If the letters are different and not YE, what horse power would they signify?

Cheers!
Old 08-27-2010, 07:03 AM
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It would depend on what you actually have. YE is what would have come from the factory.
Old 09-12-2010, 12:01 AM
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I used to own a 65 GP with 389 4bbl (had it 20+ yrs).

I recall the engine codes for the 389 being YE and YF (and the F was the air conditioning engine). The Y could be an X but I definitely remember the E and F. The engine code is on the left side front of engine block just below the head. This would be the standard engine for the Bonne with 325 hp on the base motor. If you do have a 421, there were 3 versions.

Good luck with it. I love to see and hear about international Pontiacs.
POCI (Pontiac Oakland Club International) would be vital for parts and info sourcing on 60'* Pontiacs. http://www.poci.org/
Old 09-12-2010, 12:06 AM
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oops ... didn't see Gearhead'* posts. At least they are same answers.

great list of 60'* Pontiacs Gearhead. My favorites ... drove 65 2+2 HO (almost scary power) and wish I had a 67 GP conv. My 69 GP SJ is pretty fun tho.
Old 02-06-2012, 12:05 PM
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[QUOTE=sgp358;1474282]



Hey Steve I noticed you have a 57 metro,, I built a 56 metro as a gasser a few years back, streched front end 22" chopped the top ETC ETC ETC
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Old 02-06-2012, 12:10 PM
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WOW, that'* wild. Do you have any completed pictures of it??

I'm sure that the PURIST Met guys cringe when they see it.

There is a local guy who put a Big Block Chevy in a Met. The back seat is now the front seat.
Old 02-06-2012, 12:18 PM
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The car has been a ONGOING project for awhile,, I built it up to the point of only needing finish paint, and sold it about 3 months ago,, I havn't seen it recently,, but ths last time I talked to the guy I sold it to said it was in the paint shop at that time,, it has a blown 572 BBC . strange rear ,
here are some build pictures
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Old 02-06-2012, 02:41 PM
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Thanks!

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