454 engine block casting number questions
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,202
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi RS,
No, I don't remember seeing a partially 'stamped' 'casting number' on a block.
BUT, I've looked at relatively few blocks.
I'll be interested to hear what more experienced folks have to say.
What does the 'casting date' look like?
What does the front pad look like?
Regards,
Alan
No, I don't remember seeing a partially 'stamped' 'casting number' on a block.
BUT, I've looked at relatively few blocks.
I'll be interested to hear what more experienced folks have to say.
What does the 'casting date' look like?
What does the front pad look like?
Regards,
Alan
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,189
Likes: 206
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C3 of Year
Here is a photo of the numbers, letters, and misc. screws, that were used to make the castings. These are the real deal, the ones that GM used. They would be changed out with each new mold or casting.
The reverse casting (the block) would result with an embossed font on the block.
The reverse casting (the block) would result with an embossed font on the block.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 40
That definetly looks monkeyed with .
Casting were raised for those numbers . They are the hardest to cheat on.
Although there are people who'll will build up the material , not sure how , and chisel out the digits . They generally look funky ....or anything but correct .
But if you have money burning a hole in your pocket , emotions all in a twist .....maybe it doesn't matter ...
If originality means something to you .....then I d walk from this . You want little explaining to do as possible when it's,time for you to sell.
If original doesn't mean a hill of beans ......buy it and be happy
Casting were raised for those numbers . They are the hardest to cheat on.
Although there are people who'll will build up the material , not sure how , and chisel out the digits . They generally look funky ....or anything but correct .
But if you have money burning a hole in your pocket , emotions all in a twist .....maybe it doesn't matter ...
If originality means something to you .....then I d walk from this . You want little explaining to do as possible when it's,time for you to sell.
If original doesn't mean a hill of beans ......buy it and be happy
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Racer
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 463
Likes: 129
Rodney
Alan Colvin's Chevrolet by the Number 1965-1969 book has two examples where the original casting numbers were ground off and a new one stamped. One is a block and the other a intake manifold. He accounts this practice on blocks to times during production change over of the castings. So it's not unheard of, but also definitely not common.
John
Alan Colvin's Chevrolet by the Number 1965-1969 book has two examples where the original casting numbers were ground off and a new one stamped. One is a block and the other a intake manifold. He accounts this practice on blocks to times during production change over of the castings. So it's not unheard of, but also definitely not common.
John
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 235
Likes: 8
I already own the car, have since 2008. I never thought anything was wrong with it or strange about it till someone recently said something about it. Where would I find the casting date? The front pad is pretty much illegible you can make out parts of numbers but not the whole sequence. Was told it had been decked when it was rebuilt in the late 70's to early 80's. The previous owner knew almost nothing about the car as he got it from a lien for a debt owned.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 293
Likes: 43
From: Vernon B.C.
Rodney
Alan Colvin's Chevrolet by the Number 1965-1969 book has two examples where the original casting numbers were ground off and a new one stamped. One is a block and the other a intake manifold. He accounts this practice on blocks to times during production change over of the castings. So it's not unheard of, but also definitely not common.
John
Alan Colvin's Chevrolet by the Number 1965-1969 book has two examples where the original casting numbers were ground off and a new one stamped. One is a block and the other a intake manifold. He accounts this practice on blocks to times during production change over of the castings. So it's not unheard of, but also definitely not common.
John
Racer
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 463
Likes: 129
I already own the car, have since 2008. I never thought anything was wrong with it or strange about it till someone recently said something about it. Where would I find the casting date? The front pad is pretty much illegible you can make out parts of numbers but not the whole sequence. Was told it had been decked when it was rebuilt in the late 70's to early 80's. The previous owner knew almost nothing about the car as he got it from a lien for a debt owned.
For your block, the casting date will either be on the passenger side bell housing flange directly opposite the casting number, or on the passenger side of the block near the oil dip stick.
John
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,026
Likes: 9,381
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
Rodney
Alan Colvin's Chevrolet by the Number 1965-1969 book has two examples where the original casting numbers were ground off and a new one stamped. One is a block and the other a intake manifold. He accounts this practice on blocks to times during production change over of the castings. So it's not unheard of, but also definitely not common.
John
Alan Colvin's Chevrolet by the Number 1965-1969 book has two examples where the original casting numbers were ground off and a new one stamped. One is a block and the other a intake manifold. He accounts this practice on blocks to times during production change over of the castings. So it's not unheard of, but also definitely not common.
John