Specifications for a correct 1972 block?

[Calvin C.]

I will be advertising in the drive line for a 72 block/engine. My car is a 4 speed convertible that someone converted to a automatic by putting in a 1975 corvette engine and auto trans. My car was built on December 3, 1971. What should I specify to get a correct as posible block or engine.

thanks
cal

[John H.]

Re: Specifications for a correct 1972 block?

Cal -

Assuming you're talking about a small-block car, you're looking for a 3970010 block, casting-dated from mid-June '71 to late November '71 in order to fit in the six-month "window" prior to your car's build date.

[Calvin C.]

Re: Specifications for a correct 1972 block?

Yes, it is a 350 block and thank you
cal

[Patrick H.]

Re: Specifications for a correct 1972 block?

For best dates, think October or November. You can often find complete engines for sale, and get the heads, etc as a package. I'd check the C3 parts for sale area of CorvetteForum too. Even place an ad there.

If you ONLY want the correct number block with dates, not the assembly code, then your available options widens to any 1972 Chevrolet made in the right time period.

Patrick

[Mark #28455]

make sure the stamping starts with V not T

for Flint (V) not Tonawanda (T)
Mark

[Patrick H.]

Re: make sure the stamping starts with V not T

Doesn't make a difference if it came from a Caprice anyway. But, there will be other differences in the casting date configuration that will be noticeable even if you restamp the pad.

Patrick

[Calvin C.]

Re: make sure the stamping starts with V not T

Patrick what type of differences?

cal

[Patrick H.]

Re: make sure the stamping starts with V not T

Cal,

Of course, I own an 0014 Tonawanda block in my 72 (factory original) but I don't have it available here to check out.

If I recall correctly, the casting number is a slightly different size, the year in the casting date is 2 digits not one, there is a T cast into the block in the rear, the plug in the front of the motor is not present (see Hinckley's recent pic post) and.... I can't think of the other one.

Patrick

[Calvin C.]

Re: make sure the stamping starts with V not T

Ok, so if my car was built on Dec 3, 1971. I will want a date code that reads for example:
K1171 (From Flint) for Novenber 11, 1971 and not K111 (From Tonawanda)for November 11, 1971.

is this correct.
cal

[John H.]

Re: make sure the stamping starts with V not T

Cal -

Nope, you have it backwards. Tonawanda small-blocks use two digits for the year ("71"), and Flint small-blocks use a single digit for the year ("1"). If it has a "V" prefix, a single digit for the year in the date code, and the plug in the front, it's a Flint block, which is what you want.

[Calvin C.]

Re: make sure the stamping starts with V not T

Ok, What is the plug.
cal

[Mark #28455]

Re: make sure the stamping starts with V not T

1/8" pipe plug above the timing cover only on Flint SB engines.
Mark

[John H.]

Re: make sure the stamping starts with V not T

Cal -

Here's a photo of the "Flint plug"; Tonawanda SB's don't have it.

[Calvin C.]

Re: make sure the stamping starts with V not T

Patrick
Can the 0014 block be original on a corvette, i though it had to be a 0010 block from flint?

thanks
cal

[mike cobine]

Re: make sure the stamping starts with V not T

The 0014 block was late production in '72 along with the 0010 block for all of the year.