Pontiac  455 Engine

The Pontiac V-8 was the power plant for a whole generation of muscle cars, including the legendary GTO and Firebird Trans Am from the late 60′s to early70′s. The 350, 400, and 455 are interchangeable but today most Pontiac enthusiasts want the Pontiac 455 engine with aluminum cylinder heads. With this combination we can make over 550hp with incredible torque for the dream machine muscle car.

Pontiac 455 engine and other Pontiac engines often have a oil pan windage tray as standard equipment, and many (most) 455 blocks are drilled for 4-bolt main bearing caps, even when the block actually has 2-bolt caps installed. Pontiac introduced it’s 455 for the ’70 model year, replacing the 428.  ’70 and newer blocks have the displacement cast into the side.

Other clues for identifying the Pontiac 455 engine are the carb numbers as the emissions regulations required carbs calibrated for the specific requirements of a particular model, whereas all models before 1973 used the same carb numbers. Likewise, the distributor number might be specific to the model it was installed in. The Pontiac 455 engine was available in 310 hp, 320 hp, 365 hp, 370 hp, 390 hp, all street engines, with full manufacturers warranties.

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