How far before the build date of the car could an engine block have been cast??? Just curious.

From CRG website.

Dates
The date that the block was made is cast into the rear of the block (where the bellhousing bolts up), right behind the distributor boss. Some big blocks will have the cast date next to the engine mounts, near the freeze plugs, on the passenger (RH) side of the block.

The block casting date must always be before the engine assembly date and it is usually very close to engine assembly date. Blocks have been found that have been cast and assembled in the same day, but that is not normative. There are also blocks that have been cast and then assembled months later; again, that is not normative.

The engine assembly date must always be before the vehicle (not body) assembly date. The engine assembly date almost always is before the Fisher Body cowl tag date. In the unusual case it is later (since the Fisher Body calendar does not always line up with the normal calendar), it should be within a week of the body. Most engine assembly dates are less than 30 days before the vehicle build. Some engine assembly dates can be 30-90 days before vehicle build with the odd exception being >90 days.

Who are you quoting?

Who are you quoting?
http://www.camaros.org/index.shtml

"Blocks have been found that have been cast and assembled in the same day, but that is not normative"

There is no way that the engine could have been assembled the same day it was cast! After casting there was deburring, removing the coresand, and heattreating. Then the block had to be shipped to the engine plant where it was machined, checked and only then shipped to the assembly department. There is no way to do that in the same day. GM didn't move that fast.

I had a BB that was cast the end of Jan. in '69, assembled in the middle of March and put in a car that was built the first week in June.

The kicker is that motor was a 427/425 COPO motor for a Camaro.

Who are you quoting?

http://www.camaros.org/index.shtml

Here it is in print - but obviously not a fact just an opinion.

http://www.camaros.org/drivetrain.shtml#PadStamps

"Blocks have been found that have been cast and assembled in the same day, but that is not normative"

There is no way that the engine could have been assembled the same day it was cast! After casting there was deburring, removing the coresand, and heattreating. Then the block had to be shipped to the engine plant where it was machined, checked and only then shipped to the assembly department. There is no way to do that in the same day. GM didn't move that fast.

It is not unusual to find Tonowanda blocks that were cast and assembled on the same day. Tonowanda had the foundry and the assembly plant at the same location. Within 2 days is more typical, though. GM was more efficient than commonly given credit for. Lots of Chevelles have engine dates within a week of the body build dates. My 66 El Camino (Kansas built) is an example with a 12B build date and a T1207 engine assembly date; heads both dated L 6 5. Sorry, I don't have block casting date, as my EC had a service replacement block in it when I bought it. The T1207 date came from my P-O-P.

Chris, I noticed that as well. :yes: I believe you can contact them directly with any questions/comments/inquires. :thumbsup:

I don't speak for them (CRG), however my understanding is they have a respected reputation on research of these old cars and how they were built.

Here it is in print - but obviously not a fact just an opinion.
Agreed :yes:, and anyone who wants to challenge their opinion is more than welcome to join their forum and contest it.

I not only recommend this, but I would encourage it. I think it would be entertaining to say the least. :thumbsup:

I've also seen the other end of the spectrum, I had a '69 Z/28 with the numbers matching DZ 302, the block was cast in January, and not assembled until 0425, for a 05A car.

My 72 block was cast May 31st, assembled 0619, the car built July 3rd.

"Blocks have been found that have been cast and assembled in the same day, but that is not normative"

There is no way that the engine could have been assembled the same day it was cast! After casting there was deburring, removing the coresand, and heattreating. Then the block had to be shipped to the engine plant where it was machined, checked and only then shipped to the assembly department. There is no way to do that in the same day. GM didn't move that fast.

The foundry and engine plant in Flint were very close together. There are numerous examples of Flint engines with casting and build on the same day.

I agree that it is not the norm but it did happen.

There are also examples of original unrestored cars with known owner history with the engine block casting near six months before car build. Unusual, yes, but it did happen.