1965 motor for GTO

[albi]

I purchased a 1965 GTO recently and I ran the vin through the PHS and it came back as a true GTO post car. The one thing that I am struggling with it is how to ID the engine. On the front of the engine block I found some numbers. The numbers were located on the passenger side of the block just below the head, The numbers read.
78XW
502069
The intake manifold has a number the read 18436572
I know very little about Pontiac cars or motors. So if any one knows where else on this motor I could find casting dates besides the numbers that are stamped on the front of the motor I would appreciate any assistance
Albi

[twertsy]

Here (http://www.gtoheaven.com/gtostats/64gto.html) is the link on the 78XW, looks to be a '64 engine. I'm pretty sure 18436572 on the intake refers to the firing order.

[GTO_DON]

That is indeed a 64 gto engine in the car. Your car should have a WT or WS if it's a 4 speed and a YS or Yr if it's a automatic. If you look at the phs papers they will tell you which one u should have.

[albi]

I ordered the PHS paper work and they faxed some of the sheets to me and it does say it is a four speed car, and it has the four speed trans. I was curious as why the 65 has the 64 engine in it. One possible reason is that maybe it's an early production car, possibly. I will attempt to locate the casting date on the motor and I think that it might be on the back side of the motor.
Thanks to both of you on the info.

[olredalert]

----Albi,,,The guys are talking about the model year not the numeric year. They are saying that the 64 GTO engine in your 65 Goat isn't the original engine. It is, however a 64 GTO engine which isnt bad. A bunch of GTOs don't have the original engine. Most were run hard and put away wet.......Bill S

[albi]

Ok, I might have misinterpreted that response.
Albi