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block cast date vs car assembly date.

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Old Mar 12, 2026 | 08:55 PM
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Default block cast date vs car assembly date.

Just wondering what the general opinion is on this for a 69. if a block cast about 4 months before the cars assembly date is most likely a replacement block or could it be original? I know NCRS says 6 months but that would be rare. And it's been decked so the stamped numbers are gone. Thanks for your opinions.
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Old Mar 12, 2026 | 10:14 PM
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Originally Posted by PRFKT69VET
Just wondering what the general opinion is on this for a 69. if a block cast about 4 months before the cars assembly date is most likely a replacement block or could it be original? I know NCRS says 6 months but that would be rare. And it's been decked so the stamped numbers are gone. Thanks for your opinions.
4 months is not unheard of, it could be original. I have a 1969 L71 built in late November 68 but the casting is from mid June. There just happens to be another L71 built about 100 cars before mine and it has the exact same casting date and that block and engine pad was verified by CCAS. Mine has not yet been verified by anyone but it looks just like the one that has been, down to the same looking assembly stamp on the same day. So, it does happen.
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Old Mar 12, 2026 | 10:15 PM
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The stamped numbers possibly could be raised with Acid. Not NCRS of course, but could answer your question.
Yes it very well could be original at 4 months in my humble opinion.
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Old Mar 13, 2026 | 12:44 AM
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Thanks guys. I was hoping it might be original. Will never know but at least it's possible. The casting number is correct too.
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Old Mar 13, 2026 | 08:09 AM
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Hello,
The transmission case was typically stamped with the VIN at the same time as the engine using the same gang holder.
It would be interesting to know what that stamp looks like.
If the price of the car reflects the decked engine block it's not a big deal.
Regards....
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Old Mar 13, 2026 | 10:17 AM
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My early August 69 build 1969 block has an April cast date and late July build date. Additionally I have a few other dates parts in April. I bought the car off the original owner. Nothing was replaced.

How does the engine “assembly” date jive with your trim tag?

Keep in mind there was a strike in the spring of 69 so some parts, date-wise) can be stretched a bit.
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Old Mar 13, 2026 | 03:52 PM
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for a small block make sure its a flint casted block
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Old Mar 13, 2026 | 05:35 PM
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...I know of an original '71 that had a block date 8 to 9 month's out that was original to the car. That same car was looked at by a few prominent NCRS/Bloomington judges that said it was absolutely original to the car when it went for Survivor. It was a Dec 7th built 1971 and the block was cast March or April of 1970 that I recall.
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Old Mar 13, 2026 | 09:30 PM
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Thanks , it's a big block.
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Old Mar 13, 2026 | 09:32 PM
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Wow that 8 to 9 months makes mine seem extremely feasable. Thanks for the info.
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Old Mar 13, 2026 | 09:38 PM
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Originally Posted by PRFKT69VET
Wow that 8 to 9 months makes mine seem extremely feasable. Thanks for the info.
...remember 1970 was a shortened model year and also a strike year, so that does throw a wrench into things. That "6 month rule" is widely accepted, but it's not gospel either. There's always exceptions to the rule.
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