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I am new to Team Buick and have a question you have probably covered a thousand times. I will ask anyway. I have 72 GS 455 convertible. Motor code stamped "F 442" at the deck near the oil dipstick. Front of the block near the timing chain cover is 43X168---. Can anyone tell me what I have? I have had the car almost thirty years and was told when I bought it that it had a warranty replacement block. I assumed that was crap but lately have been wondering. Any thoughts?
43X168xxx
4 = Buick
3 = 1973 model year
X = Fairfax, KS
168xxx = sequential number, range for Fairfax was 100001 to 200982 for 1973 (this would match the last 6 digits of the VIN of the donor car, factory replacement engine usually start with RE, so this appears to be out of another car)
F 442 = engine production code (there is probably an X in front of it making it XF 442)
X = 1973
F = 455 w/ 4V carb
442 = date code
Thank you for your reply. That is what I had assumed for years. It would have been like hitting the lottery for it to have been anything else.
I appreciate your time.
Any chance this motor came from a 73 GS or does that really matter?
It could have come from a '73 Gran Sport, but not likely. The code XF 'regular' 455, equipped with dual exhaust, was one of the Gran Sport engine options. However only 979 were built. Most likely it was a single- or dual-exhaust unit from a full-size car.
A really great find would have been a Stage I 455 from a Gran Sport or a Riviera. Those would have a code of XS or XA.