65 BB casting mold numbers

[Bill W.]

There are large (I believe) mold casting numbers behind the timing chain cover on my 65 BB . I have two with the number 2 one with a 3 and one with 4X . I have seen pictures of blocks for sale on Ebay having numbers from 1 through 6 but the only number with a X was a 4 ( I have seen 4s without an X) . My question is what does the X stand for ? DSC_1916.jpgDSC_1918.jpg

[Wayne M.]

Re: 65 BB casting mold numbers

Bill -- FWIW, here's a "1" on the front of my 2-bolt 396 "3855961", casting date mid May. Not sure what the significance is.



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[Carl N.]

Re: 65 BB casting mold numbers

No idea - when I can get thru my junk I'll look at my spare blocks and see how they are marked -

[Jerry W.]

Re: 65 BB casting mold numbers

seems like a previous post said "x" means first run for casting

[Wayne L.]

Re: 65 BB casting mold numbers

Yes, "X" usually means the first run of a new casting. I have "heard" that the numerals indicate which casting line the part was cast on. All for quality control.

[John H.]

Re: 65 BB casting mold numbers

Yes, "X" usually means the first run of a new casting. I have "heard" that the numerals indicate which casting line the part was cast on. All for quality control.

Wayne -

Those numerals normally indicate the pattern number the sand mold was made from - high-volume castings always had multiple patterns that produced molds, and they were numbered for traceability in the event of casting or machining problems.

[Wayne M.]

Re: 65 BB casting mold numbers

......Those numerals normally indicate the pattern number the sand mold was made from .....

Here's the back end of the same 961 block that I showed in post #2. It's got an 'X' and mold # 3 (versus mold #1 and no 'X' on the front).

rear mold 961 block.jpg

[Joe L.]

Re: 65 BB casting mold numbers

Here's the back end of the same 961 block that I showed in post #2. It's got an 'X' and mold # 3 (versus mold #1 and no 'X' on the front).

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Wayne-----


There were different elements to each pattern set. The elements were often "mixed-and-matched".

[Don H.]

Re: 65 BB casting mold numbers

As a tribute to Bill, I'll stick what was Bill's last thread on his beloved L78 cars.

[Carl N.]

Re: 65 BB casting mold numbers

Don, many thanks, Bill would be pleased.

[Enzo C.]

Re: 65 BB casting mold numbers

Good job Don... He deserves the respect