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There was once a great demand for the 010 Blocks as they had more Nickel in the Cast Iron which made them stronger. For the most part this has been proven to be false. However there isn't any other Block that is better, other than aftermarket ones. Probably the only difference between a Truck and Car 010 Block is the serial number stamped on the deck.
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
There are no interchangeability issues between small block passenger car engines and truck engines in 1970, if that's your question...
Casting number 3970010 was used from 1969 - 1979 on the 350s that were used in cars, trucks and Corvettes. It was also used on 1968 327's, so be sure to check the date codes. This casting was used for both 2-bolt and 4-bolt blocks. It is not a "truck-only" casting number, and only the stamped-in engine code will tell you if it was originally used in a car or a truck. For practical purposes, that's irrelevant, unless you're seeking "numbers matching."
There was once a great demand for the 010 Blocks as they had more Nickel in the Cast Iron which made them stronger. For the most part this has been proven to be false. However there isn't any other Block that is better, other than aftermarket ones. Probably the only difference between a Truck and Car 010 Block is the serial number stamped on the deck.
There are no interchangeability issues between small block passenger car engines and truck engines in 1970, if that's your question...
Casting number 3970010 was used from 1969 - 1979 on the 350s that were used in cars, trucks and Corvettes. It was also used on 1968 327's, so be sure to check the date codes. This casting was used for both 2-bolt and 4-bolt blocks. It is not a "truck-only" casting number, and only the stamped-in engine code will tell you if it was originally used in a car or a truck. For practical purposes, that's irrelevant, unless you're seeking "numbers matching."
Thanks for info wish it was as easy to find BB 512 block
Wes
Most 350s are 010 blocks. Some say 010 and 020. but for the most part the 350s are 010s. As far as the nickle content goes they bore and hone like most any other block. There are some who have 509 cast under the timing cover that are supposed to be high nickle blocks also. Not the 509 400 block. I don't know if they are high nickle content or not but they do seem to bore with a different sound as the cutter goes through the cylinder and do seem to have a higher luster when finished. Not having seen any lab report to substantiate this it's only an observation. It would be nice if someone knew or was capable of doing that testing. If anyone knows where that could be done, I'd cut some samples of blocks and send them for testing. We could end the rumors once and for all......Ha, that would never happen.
Back to the question at hand, the 010 block came both in cars and trucks. In two bolt and four bolt main conditions.
The "holy grail" of small blocks has "2482" cast into the main caps. Those caps are nodular iron, stronger than plain cast iron. All I've seen them on have been the 3970010 blocks.
The block in my car is a 010 truck block. It did not have dual bolt patterns for the starter, so i had to add a hole when i switched to the small flywheel setup.