C2 engine/intake/head casting dates

[Joe T.]

How close would typical casting dates for the engine block, intake manifold and heads be on an original c2 327, and how close are these dates typically to the engine build date? Also, are fuel injected heads interchangeable with non-FI heads, sorry if these are dumb questions, thanks, Joe T.

[Bob R.]

Re: C2 engine/intake/head casting dates

I believe most of the dates on the more common hp engines were close to the birth date of the car. The engine block may only be a week or so prior. The high horse power engines may have a little more time between maybe a month. The heads and intake should be fairly close also. The heads for the shp engine with a carb and the fulie are the same for 1963 and 1964 I am not that familiar with the later engines. NCRS allows a 6 month window on the dates for judging. My 63 has what I believe is the original rear end and it was cast in December and installed in the car in May. This is a little unusual from what I have seen but it is a 3:08 posi which is not very common. The more common the component the closer the date to the build of the car.

[Edward J.]

Re: C2 engine/intake/head casting dates

Joe, I think a lot depends on the engine HP , The 250 and 300hp engine maybe only days a part. a, THE 340/365 SHP engine might be weeks.Nolans book will give you a lot of details on cating dates if you have one.

The fuel injection or SHP headS should be interchangeable with a low horse(250HP) engine. As far a judging goes ,they will not muster as the casting markings are different.

[Joe T.]

Re: C2 engine/intake/head casting dates

thank you to both of you, that makes sense.

[Dale M.]

Re: C2 engine/intake/head casting dates

Here is an example of a '64 300HP. I am impressed with how close all the dates are.
Production date 3/27/1964 (like my 327 production date?)
Engine Assembly date 3/16
Block Casting date 3/12
Intake Manifold date 3/10
Starter Date 3/19
Don't have the casting date of the heads.

[Joe T.]

Re: C2 engine/intake/head casting dates

can you tell me how to tell because there is a set of heads on ebay that the dates work and I can't tell if they are FI or 300hp, my car is 300hp

[Bob R.]

Re: C2 engine/intake/head casting dates

The correct heads for the 300, 340, and 360hp are 3782461. They are all the same. The 250hp heads are different.

[Patrick B.]

Re: C2 engine/intake/head casting dates

They are the same 461 castings. The "FI" heads are machined for 2.02 intake valves and the 300hp heads are machined for 1.94 intake valves. The exhaust valves are also smaller on the 300hp versions.

[Joe T.]

Re: C2 engine/intake/head casting dates

would you have a minute to look at the ones on ebay,

[Bob R.]

Re: C2 engine/intake/head casting dates

In 1963 all of the 461 castings had the same size valves. All of them had 1.94 intake. The 202 valves were not available in 1963. The hp differences in the engines had to do with solid lifters, a domed piston for higher compression and a different cam.

[Dale M.]

Re: C2 engine/intake/head casting dates

I just found several sets of 461 heads on EBay. To determine if they are 300HP or the higher HP, like 365HP (FI), you need to know the size of the valves. As far as usable or for NCRS judging, (NCRS only judges the double humps, not eh casting number or date code) they all will work as long as something else like a crack or warped surface is not there.

[Monte M.]

Re: C2 engine/intake/head casting dates

The only thing you need to know is if the date is correct and if they are 461 heads. All the 461 were the same. They did not come with 2:02, but a lot of people put them in themselves.

The 250 HP heads are a total different beast. The 250 horse heads have a different casting number and have none of the typical camel humps we are used to seeing.

Again, all the 461 heads are the same from the factory. You might hear about the "X" heads flowing better. All the early 461 heads are "X" heads as well. I am not sure when the "X" came into play, but I know for 63 and 64, all 461 heads are "X"

Hope this helps.

[Joe T.]

Re: C2 engine/intake/head casting dates

thank you very much, I'm going to buy them, JOe