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Yeah, my 72 Caprice wagon (pictured above) has the optional 402 big block... its really not all that peppy... not sure why my 455 Pontiac is though. I also had a 72 Buick Electra... while not as powerful as the 71, the 72 Electra would still roast the tires. Dang I miss that car!
Quote:
Originally Posted by wilson1010
396 and 402
The 396-cubic-inch (6.5 L) V8 was introduced in the 1965 Corvette as the L78 option and in the Z16 Chevelle. It had a bore of 4.094 in (104.0 mm) and a stroke of 3.76 in (96 mm), and produced 375 hp (280 kW) and 415 lb·ft (563 N·m). This version of the 396 was equipped with four bolt main bearing caps and was very comfortable with being operated in the upper 6000 rpm range.
Introduced in 1970, the 402-cubic-inch (6.6 L) was a 396-cubic-inch bored out by 0.030 in (0.76 mm). Despite the fact that it was 6 cubic inches (98 cc) larger, Chevy continued marketing it under the popular "396" label in the smaller cars while at the same time labeling it "Turbo-Jet 400" in the full-size cars. Power rating(s) by year:
1965: 375 hp (280 kW)/425 hp (317 kW)
1966: 325 hp (242 kW)/350 hp (260 kW)/360 hp (270 kW)/375 hp (280 kW)
1967: 325 hp (242 kW)/350 hp (260 kW)/375 hp (280 kW)
1968: 325 hp (242 kW)/350 hp (260 kW)/375 hp (280 kW)
1969: 265 hp (198 kW)(2bbl)/325 hp (242 kW)/350 hp (260 kW)/375 hp (280 kW)
1970: 330 hp (250 kW)/350 hp (260 kW)/375 hp (280 kW)
The 455 HO designation made its debut in 1970 as appeared on vehicle invoice, rated at 500 ft/lbs of torque and 360 or 370 horsepower depending on the body style. 455 HO's were seen in the 1971 model year with HD blocks, The Round port Heads came as #197 for 1971 year and #7F6 for 1972 year. Both having Round Port Exhaust. Special large valve heads with screw in rocker arm studs, Special aluminum intake with removable exhaust crossover, Special streamlined Ram Air Exhaust manifolds, Higher lift and larger duration camshaft and 800 CFM Quadrajet carburetor with specific jetting.
The 455 HO's were similar to the yet to come SD455 in 1973/74. The 455 HO was available in the Firebird (base, Formula and Trans Am), and the LeMans, GTO, T37 and GT37 models. The SD455 took the HO 455 to the next level in durability, power and performance. Last seen in 1976, ending the era of the 455 HO in lackluster fashion, delivering only a paltry 200 hp (150 kW). It shared nothing with its 1971 brethren except the displacement. Standard in Catalina/ Bonneville Wagons. Option in LeMans, Grand LeMans, Firebird Trans Am, Catalina, Bonneville and Grand Prix.
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For 1972, Catalinas and other full-sized Pontiacs received new Grand Prix-style "V" nose grilles and sturdier front bumpers that could withstand crashes of up to 5 mph (8.0 km/h), a year ahead of the Federal standard that took effect in 1973, along with revised taillight lenses.
Optional engines included a two-barrel 455 rated at 185 horsepower (138 kW) and a four-barrel 455 rated at 250 horsepower (190 kW). The year 1972 was the last for the Catalina convertible and the Catalina Brougham series.
Catalina and other 1973 full-sized Pontiacs featured more full-width spilt grilles along with the now-federally mandated 5 mph (8.0 km/h) front bumper, and revised taillight lenses. Instrument panels continued the "wrap-around" theme but the two round gauges were housed in square pods. With the Catalina Brougham discontinued only the regular Catalina models and Safari wagons were offered this year. Catalinas and other full-sized Pontiacs including Bonnevilles and Grand Villes now rode on a common 124-inch (3,100 mm) wheelbaase for sedans and coupes though Safari and Grand Safari wagons continued on their own 127-inch (3,200 mm) wheelbase.
Sorry for the sort of off topic responses above. To reiterate my point, compared to the wagons that were available just 3 years before all of the 1973 offerings were just plain crap. It was truly the beginning of the end - the year the music dies.
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