C-1 59 Block

[Jerry C.]

Found a 519 block with no numbers on the stamp pad. Casting date D159. I have not seen this block and the man could not tell if it was D 15 9 or D 1 59. Any way to tell a Flint block from a Tonawanda block? Thanks in advance

[William C.]

Re: C-1 59 Block

Just as you posted, a "59 for the year would be a Tonawanda Block, a "9" for the year would be a Flint casting. In the 327 engines, there is also a difference in the orientation of the casting date. It runs parallel to the crank centerline, rather than perpendicular to it. Likely the same applies to a 283 also, others may have firsthand info...

[John H.]

Re: C-1 59 Block

All Flint small-blocks have a 1/8" NPT hole with a square-head pipe plug in it right behind the timing cover bolt at the 11 o'clock position as viewed from the front; Tonawanda blocks don't have that hole.