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Packard taximan Quote:

OK, I'll bite. Where's you get a 455SD engine??? Those are rare as hen's teeth and many times as expensive. Why not just a regular 455?

Craig

I'll bite also, are you sure it's not a 455 HO or just a plain 455 (which isn't a bad thing at all.)

I have had my doubts about it being a SD 455 and not just a standard 455. The engine came out of a salvage yard to use in my stock car on the half mile dirt track. When I pulled the engine for a rebuild the machine shop I used called me and asked if I was sure that it was a Pontiac engine. I went to the shop to discuss the matter with them and during the discussion another customer overheard us and came to look at the engine. He took one look at the bare block and said that it was a SD block. I asked if that was a good thing or not. His reply was "I will give you $2,500 for the engine right now". A few years after I retired from racing a group of us old gearheads were talking about the good old days and my engine was mentioned. One of the younger guys was all ears and asked where I got the engine. I told him about how I aquired it and he exclaimed that he had owned the car the engine came out of and it was indeed a SD 455. I still have my doubts. In any case it is a 455 Pontiac that will fry those big wide tires.
Maybe I ewill grow up someday, but for now I'll remain just a darn fool 66 year old kid.
Packard taximan

Next time you're taking pictures, take some of the engine and post 'em. Particularly, the cylinder head at the center exhaust port (casting number) and the P-side front of the block where the stamped engine code is located. That'll tell the story. Most of the Packard guys here may not care, but if it is a 455SD, then that'll make your custom bathtub even more unique.

Craig

Well I finally checked the engine code and much to my disappointment found that I have a plain jane 455 engine. The engine code is YC and the head code is 7M5. I don't know the year of manufacture. Craig hit the nail dead center as to what it is. My bubble has burst.

Packardtaximan

PackardTaxiMan Quote:

1972 250HP w/AT installed in Big Pontiac, Grand Prix and LeMans. Not a bad engine since it has 8.2:1 CR and a "stump puller" cam. It should work well in your heavy Packard.

Craig

I added a 22nd series front bumper and a 58 Packard grille to the front end. The car is supposed to be next in line at the upholstery shop, but I am not going to hold my breath. I still think the Packard Gods are mad at me because it seems like every time I make a ittle progress then there is a problem that rears it's ugly head.
Packardtaximan

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better now that the bumper is back on.

I hope the upholstery guy comes through.

We're about done with the reconstruction of our shop and I still have some to do on the beast too.ccmauto.com/

Quote:

It's come a long LONG way from the river bottom Taximan!...still looks like a Packard from where I sit too...had it been a decent survivor, you can bet you would have been and maybe even but understanding the circumstances, congratulations!...well done and many thanks for breathing new life back into a legend...wishing you many trophies in the future!
Gary