Joe, et al

[Dennis C.]

Small block casting # 3959512... Any help in identifying CID, year/s of use and application? Thanks very much, Dennis

[Joe L.]

Re: Joe, et al

Dennis-----

GM casting #3959512 was a block casting which appeared in 1969 for SERVICE use only. It is a 4 inch bore block designed for replacing all 1962 to 1967 327 cid applications. This block uses the "small" main journal size applicable to all pre-68 small blocks.

[Joe L.]

Addendum

Also, I should have mentioned, although the 3959512 block first appeared in 1969 for SERVICE use, it continued to be manufactured for quite a few years. After 1969, I think that it was the only casting used for all 62-67 SERVICE 327 applications, including bare block, fitted block and short block, until those components were dropped from the GMSPO inventory. Due to its long period of SERVICE use, there are more than a few of these "out there"

Since it was released in 1969, it was used for NO PRODUCTION applications, whatsoever. That's because no small blocks used in PRODUCTION after 1967 used the "small" journal size.

[Dennis C.]

Joe -

Thanks very much. That makes the L89 casting date and the CE stamp pad designation make perfect sense. Owner of block says it has a V017XZB stamp. Just for yuks, does that have any particular meaning you are aware of. Thanks again, Dennis

[Mike M.]

Re: Joe -

have you converted the 512 to an 870 yet?mike(PS--you're gonna miss charoltette again this year, dummy)

[Dick W.]

Re: Joe -

There you go again Mikie, accusing "honest and hardworking" people of cheating. You have tried to defame "Honest Uncle Billy" and now accusing "Dipstick Dennis" of cheating.

The shame of it all

[Dennis C.]

Honesty...

Thank you Dickie... This scoundral should be run out of NCRS. What has he ever done for the good of the order??? Quite a bit... DC

[Joe L.]

Re: Joe -

Dennis-----

I can find no reference to the "XZB" suffix code and I'm not otherwise familiar with it. However, this does provide some useful information. First, it indicates that the engine was originally supplied as a complete engine unit and not a bare, fitted, or short block. The "X" prefix suffix codes were usually used for truck or crate engine-only applications.