455 engine numbers

[bop455fan]

In 1970, are all 455's (standard and Stage 1) made at Flint? I have heard all 1970 Stage 1 cars were built in Flint, so the engine number (between cylinders 1 and 3) should start 4H. Would a 1970 standard 455 that is original to a 1970 Fremont California built car have an engine number of 4Z or 4H? Not sure if I have ever looked at a California built Buick 455, but curious. I know of a few spare 455 engines and want to check them out, so thought I would be prepared.

[bob k. mando]

if you're looking for a Stage engine, why aren't you just checking the two letter engine code stamping?

"SS" is the Stage 1 specific code and "SF" is the big car code for 1970.

i note the big car code because some of those came from the factory with the Stage 1 valves and, in the heads, that's the only difference between a Stg1 and the lower tier big blocks.

you do have to pull the head off to verify valve size.

[bop455fan]

I know about checking the Stage 1 and non Stage 1 two letter codes, I was just wondering if california cars had a different code stamped near cylinders 1 and 3 as opposed to non california vehicles. Or are all 455's stamped at assembly in Flint, regardless if they make it into a Fremont built vehicle? If I remember, about the only difference between a california and non california GS455 was that the california cars had an evap emissions system. Not sure about any actual engine differences.