|
Re: castings #'s
The casting date on a small block Chevy is located on the right side (passsenger's) at the rear, on the top of the bellhousing "flange". It is a 4 digit "alphanumeric" code. The first digit is a letter. That letter corresponds to the month (A = Jan, B = Feb etc.). The letter "I" was not used. The second and third digits are the day of the month. The last digit is the last number of the year. Example: B124 Feb 12, 1974 We know this, as there were no 400s made in '64 OR '84, so logical deduction gets us to '74. While locations on blocks and heads differ from one family to another, this is the dating convention used by GM, across all lines, at least from '55 through '96. Probably more.
Yes, take the engine out and tear it down, keeping pistons in order. If you intend to reuse the cam and lifters (not recommended unless relatively new or "special"), keep the lifters in order, too. They MUST go back in on the same lobe they came off.
Take it all down to your machinist and have him determine what you need, and maybe, what you might WANT. Understanding the "need" is something not to negotiate, but "WANT" is entirely a negotiation.
It is marginal, at best, to bore a 400 smnall block past .040". I know, I've seen them at .060 and live, too. BUT... I've seen them die a horrible death from overheating, too, when at .060", and all tune points correct, and cooling system working well.
|