I have a chevy 350 block sitting in my garage that I am planning on building up soon, but I was wanting to get some info on the block first. Casting number - 3970010 passanger rear deck - F244 under timing cover - 512 532 driver side 020 509 010 pass side also says G7 where the bellhousing mounts to the block H20 509 this is centered between the cam crank and freeze plug 010 020 under previous freeze plug main caps 3412 and 3951 the stamped number on the cylinder head mating surface is C4J169649 Any help decoding what I have and what its from would be greatly appreciated. -Greg
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One of the most common garden variety 350 blocks made. 1969-1979 Chevy 350 block came in all cars in trucks both 2 and 4 bolt main. Must have made millions of them. I have 3 in my garage.
350 from a 1974 Chevy pickup which was assembled in Janesville Wisconsin. Block was cast June 24th 1974.
Without being repetitive, the 020 and 010 cast under the timing cover indicate you have the better casting mix. Tin and Nickel were added to the mix, tin to increase heat dissipation and nickel to improve cylinder wall wear resistance. Don't remember which is which, but 020 is 20% and 010 indicates 10%. I think the Nickel was 10%. If it had neither number, it would be the standard mix.
thanks for the info squirrel. Do you know if this is a 2% nickel block. Would it be good for high performance? Thanks -Greg
the 020 and 010 numbers are simply casting core mold numbers, they have nothing to do with nickel content, that's an old wives tale. Unless someone can cough up some factory documentation..... It's a typical 70s casting, fine for a street motor.
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