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"Corvette by the Numbers" says the 180 was used in '65 for the 250, 300, 365, and 375 horse Vettes... "it was used interchangeably with the 870 block." :hurray:
The 870 (Saginaw) block was used on almost all 65's; the 8180 was a Tonawanda casting (2-digit year code in the casting date, no oil gallery plug above the timing cover) that was used in a very limited number of cars. VERY rarely seen, but correct nonetheless. :thumbs:
Hey, always good to bounce it off more then 1 "official" source. You guys just gave me a "warm and fuzzy" feeling about this. Now, to see if I can win it!
the Tonanwanda block, if used at all in 65 (some still dispute that) is at least so unlikley that a 65 T block car for sale, repp'd to be original, should be considered incorrect until sufficiently proven otherwise. I would put it into the same category as someone selling you a SB 67 with the BB stinger hood as "one of the ones that was delivered that way" - even if it's the God's honest truth you will spend the rest of your life defending the correctness of the car.
Jim - advise the birthday of your 65 SB and you can have more eyes looking for you, we all know of blocks here and there that aren't just right for us but might be good for you.
Thanks for the suggestion. You're right. This forum does give you the "right" venue to allow true focus on your needs/help.
My '5 is a mid March, '65 assembled car. The Casting date on my original '870 block is B1'65. I would think the "rule of thumb" is no more than 6 months prior to the build date of the car, right? So, a date code from October, '64 through early March '65 would work.
Jim,
I run Ebay auctions for a guy that's got an 870 block dated C-8-65 that is rough bored .025. Its been hot tanked/magnafluxed and is guaranteed good usable. This is pretty close to your car's build date. I'll need to check out the pad for additional info but thought you might be interested. Also, I see you're from Clinton Twp. The block is up in Bay City so you may even be able to pick it up and avoid shipping. I'll double-check, but I think the owner wants $600 for it.