I have a 400 built in 1972 (casting # 481988), and am trying to figure what it originally went in, so maybe I can sell it. The engine code is 22A162973. I know the first 2 is to show its a Pontiac engine, the second 2 shows it was built in 1972, and the A is the assembly plant. From what I have found so far, the A shows that it was built in Atlanta, GA. So, my question is what cars would have used this engine? Also, it has a YS with 0351718 above it.

Well, the "YS" is the application code. YS was used for a slew of engines over the years. If you could supply the casting date (4-digit, alpha-numeric code near the distributor), it would be a lot easier to narrow it down. '72 YS would probably be a GTO or LeMans 400 with auto trans, but I can't be certain without that date! It DOES fall into the "nothing special" 400 category. By '72, 400s were pretty much all the same with a few minor differences. Good candidate for a stroker!

Jim

The date code is A272.

Another question is what color should my engine be? The guy I bought it from painted it black.

Another question is what color should my engine be? The guy I bought it from painted it black.

The color for the '72 engine is a sky blue. Duplicolor makes an engine enamel in a rattle can that is very good match, I believe the part number is DE1610. This is usually avalible at most decent auto parts stores. There is also a silver blue that Pontiac used but that wouldn't be a correct color for the '72.