[Tigers] Stamped Block Date Codes

[Gary Winblad]

4C3F (or possibly E, stamping is almost off the bottom edge), original 
260 motor in B9470622.
Gary


On 10/30/2017 8:13 AM, Larry Mayfield via Tigers wrote:
>
> We have been having a fun discussion regards SBF stamped date codes, 
> the one up on the front D side of the engine at deck height location.  
> During rebuilds, these generally get milled off during a decking 
> operation.
>
> In my shop I have a number of small blocks in various states of 
> apartness and accessibility. So a day or so ago, I went out to find 
> date codes and stampings. Here are my numbers and what they mean 
> regards date the blocks were machined for assembly later. Oh, I see 
> that does not seem to resonate with what others think the date code 
> means: there are those who believe the stamped date code is the day 
> that the entire engine was assembled.   Something I may need to sort 
> out in my head, but I don’t think so.
>
> Block number 1. A 260 with casting number C30E-6015B and cast date 
> code of 3E3. Stamped number on the pad is 3E9W which translates to 
> 1963, May 9^th , and whatever “W” means. We are all still 
> investigating what the last, if any,  letter means.
>
> Block number 2. A 302 with casting number of C90E-6015-G and a cast 
> date of   . Stamped date is 0A10 A.  This one is different in that the 
> first date code is a”0” and there is a letter “A” at the end,  but 
> spaced apart from the others.  I am guessing that the “0” is for 1970 
> which would translate to a machined date of 1970, February 10^th . 
> Some say the “A” would be first shift. I am no
>
> longer sure about this.  There is another stamped number at the back 
> of the block in the bell housing area: 0A200459.
>
> Block number 3. This is an old 289 5 bolt bell housing motor I put 
> together in the 60’s. But the block was used and the date code is 
> milled off. And it is in a position where I cannot get to the casting 
> number and date of casting. I will see if I can hoist it up to take a 
> look.
>
> Block number 4. This is my 5.0l turbo motor that set the Sunbeam speed 
> record in 2010. This was a used block that had been assembled by DSS 
> and I purchased it from a drag racer in Ohio who beat the dickens out 
> of it. The deck had been milled and the stamped number is gone. If I 
> can get to it I will check the casting number and date. This was a 
> roller cam block as well. And I wil check to see if it has a bell 
> housing area stamped number.
>
> Block number 5. This is a Mexican cast block, “Hecho en Mexico” in the 
> lifter valley. I have to drag it out where I can see the casting and 
> date codes on the lower block area. The stamped date code is 0K27 
> which translates to 1970, Sept 27^th . I discounted the letter “I” 
> being used so I think I counted on my fingers correctly but I am an 
> old fart so Sept could be off.  As with the other 302 block mentioned 
> above there is a stamped number at the bell housing area: 178256
>
> Block number 6. This is the current motor in the Land Speed Race car. 
> It started life as an OEM 260 block. It has not been decked or bored. 
> And since it is still in the car with the starter in place, the 
> casting and date there are not visible.  But, the stamped date is 3B2 
> which translates to 1963, Feb 2^nd .
>
> Block number 7. This is the OEM block as arrived from Rootes way back 
> when. Of course it is still in the car and as we all pretty much know, 
> the casting and date code is virtually impossible to get at and well 
> so is the stamped date with the oil filter etc all being in the way. I 
> will be removing enough hardware to get to the stamped date this week 
> because I need to rebuild the remote oil filter hoses to shorten them. 
>  And remove the steering shaft that has the u-joints on it. The upper 
> end of that shaft had some stiff joints (kinda like my left knee, 
> lol), and I need to repack it with some heat resistant goop.  When I 
> get all that removed, I will get the OEM block date stamp info.
>
> So, what does it all mean? I have no freaking idea but it is 
> interesting! Especially those date stamps with extra letters which are 
> undefined so far. Some think it might be an quality inspector tag, 
>  but, I think it is tied to a special order. Or industrial motor. Or?
>
> More to come when I can get at the remainder of the casting numbers. I 
> plan on trying my best to understand ALL of the numbers that appear on 
> the blocks and maybe heads as well.  The heads that were on the 
> Mexican block have an aluminum tag, which would have been at the 
> firewall end of the head giving part number, and some other info. No 
> other head has this tag.  I also have a pair of open chamber Cleveland 
> heads, bare, that I will toss into the mix. And byt eh way, if any of 
> you want those or any of the other items mentioned above, lemme know. 
> Maybe we can deal.
>
> mayf
>
> _________________________
> drmayf
> Worlds Fastest Sunbeam, period.
> 204.913 mph flying mile average speed
> 210.779 mph exit (not top)  speed
>
>
>
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