2-digit (year) cast dates on '63-65E heads blocks

[Wayne M.]

eBay items (link #2 to heads below). 461 heads with H_13_64. Also a 870 block on eBay, different seller, with H_29_63 cast to left of the block part # (link #1 here). http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1963-...QQcmdZViewItem

What gives ?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8066522255&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

[Michael H.]

Re: 2-digit (year) cast dates on '63-65E heads blo

Wayne,

The block is a Tonawanda casting which is different than Flint castings. The Tonawanda plant used it's own date code system.

These blocks are usually easily spotted as they lack the 1/8" square drive pipe plug at the top center of the front of the block. (not visible in the ebay pic's) Also, the 3782870 casting number characters are typically slightly smaller than those found on Flint casting.

The cyl heads are usually spotted as Tonawanda because the camel humps at the end are rough cast, not machined off.

[Wayne M.]

Re: 2-digit (year) cast dates on '63-65E heads blo

Thanks, Michael -- after I posted, got to wondering if St.Catherines (Ontario) was also casting these parts in that timeframe.

[mike cobine]

Re: 2-digit (year) cast dates on '63-65E heads blo

The cyl heads are usually spotted as Tonawanda because the camel humps at the end are rough cast, not machined off.

I should know this, but I can't remember. Were the casting symbols on all of the heads machined smooth on Flint and rough on Tonowanda heads? I mean the rectangular blocks, the triangle peaks, the short rectangles, and so on? It seems to reason they were, but I don't have an assortment of heads to check right now.

For Jerry's sake, TIA.

[Michael H.]

Re: 2-digit (year) cast dates on '63-65E heads blo

Mike,

As I remember, all Flint heads had the configuration pad machined but it's possible some were not.

[mike cobine]

Re: 2-digit (year) cast dates on '63-65E heads blo

Thanks, Mike (for Jerry's sake)

It makes sense that they would. It isn't logical that some heads would be machned on the end and not others at the same plant. But I just can't remember seeing the others cut. I guess I need to visit a machine shop or a few swap meets.

Do you know when they began machining the ends? Does that go back to the 265 or did it start later on?

[Joe M.]

Re: 2-digit (year) cast dates on '63-65E heads blo

Could the machining of the end of the head surface be due to an interference with the C-1 front motor mount and then it was just caried over to the C-2 era?
I have noticed slight interference between some heads and motor mount on C-1s. In fact I'm wondering if that is the reason there are so many cracked C-1 motor mounts. The interference is almost not noticable but enough the perhaps crack the mount when you tightem the water pump bolts.