Hi, I am new on this forum. I just purchased a 1973 Monte Carlo and the lady I bought it from said it had been in her family since new. She also said it was special ordered with a 454 big block,400 turbo transmission,and posi rearend. It has abig block in it with a 400 turbo transmission. I was wondering how I could tell if it is the original engine? Also I would like to new if it should have a 10 bolt or 12 bolt posi from the factory? Also should it have any badges on the body designated it is a 454 car? Also it has a factory guage cluster with tach and guages instead of idiot lights. Is this common or rare? I am still in the procress of investigating things and any help in doing so would be greatly appreciated! The car is pretty solid and does not have too many other options. Anybody with any info please reply through this thread or email me at cjulman@yahoo.com Thanks,1973bigblock

 

Hello and welcome to the board. It's nice to finally see another 2nd Gen Monte Carlo on the board. I own a 76 Landau and can answer some of your questions.

By decoding the engine casting numbers, you should be able to tell whether or not it is the original engine block. How do decode the casting numbers is something I don't know how to do.

I believe that all 1973-1977 Monte Carlo's came with a 10 bolt. I do not believe a 12 bolt was an option.

No. The only badging on the car should be the Monte Carlo script and knight crest emblems.

The factory tachometer gauge package was only offered from 1973-1975. The 1976 and 1977 Monte Carlo's had the gauge package as an option, but instead of a tach, there was a vacuum controlled "economy" gauge. The tach and econo gauge cluster package is quite rare as most second gen Monte's I've encountered have all been factory dummy light gauges (case in point, my Monte was a dummy light car). I have partially converted to factory gauges and installed an aftermarket tach and oil pressure gauge. The temp gauge isn't working properly for some reason, but the rest of the gauges are working.

I hope I have helped you out a bit. I have a suggestion you should seriously consider. If you call GM, you can order an information/restoration packet for the 1973 Monte Carlo. The information packet will provide a lot of valuable information about the 1973 Monte Carlo. I ordered one for my '76 Monte. It is a free packet and all you have to give them, other than your mailing address, is your car's VIN number. Once again, welcome to the board.