1972 454 engine assembly date 9-17-71. What would be the correct casting code and casting date for the heads for this motor? Thanks for you help. Don
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Re: Casting code and casting date for heads454 eng
The NCRS judging rules accept a six month window (based on vehicle final assy) for most parts. In this case the stamp pad on the block establishes a minimum late date (9-17-71), meaning the heads HAD to have been cast, machined and assembled prior to the engine's assembly at Tonawanda.
So, use you own judgement. You've got a window of 6-months prior to your car's final assy date (VIN) and a 'bar' date of September 17th for the latest the heads could have been cast and assembled.
At the engine plant, they pulled key sub-assy components from inventory at random. Finished heads might have JUST arrived and gone directly to a job on the line OR they might have sat at the back of the shelf until inventory was relatively well depleted.... -
Re: Casting code and casting date for heads454 eng
don------
Casting number should be GM #3999241. Heads with the proper date might be a little difficult to find. That's because you have a very narrow window of dates. I doubt that these heads were cast much earlier than July, 1971. You need heads cast prior to September 17, 1969. So, you have an "effective window" of only about 2-1/2 months.
The good news is that these heads were used on many other Chevrolet cars with big blocks during the period. So, you're not dealing with a Corvette-only piece.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Correction
I should have said September 17, 1971 and NOT 1969. I do need to better proof-read things BEFORE I post them.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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externally identical to heads from 1971 to 78
The heads in that vintage had a small rectangle cast into the ends of the heads measuring about 1/4" wide x 3/4" tall for the oval port heads. In addition, the casting date is on the undersidfe of the water port and is not visible in an assembled engine.
Good luck,
MarkComment
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