396/427 block stamping

[George W.]

4 bolt big block question:

Given the known production numbers for autos fitted with 4 bolt 396 and 427 engines, plus CE blocks for each type, what would be the number of blocks that left the foundry/factory with no stampings of any kind?
Would this have been the normal over the counter configuration?
I would presume that 1965 962 block would have the smallest number of un stamped blocks, and the 1969 512 the most based on production numbers.

[John H.]

Re: 396/427 block stamping

George -

Without knowing how many non-warranty replacement Service short blocks GMPD ordered for inventory, I don't think there's an answer to that question.

[Robert G.]

Re: 396/427 block stamping

I don't think anyone who didn't work at GM at the time could even venture a guess. The only blocks that probably didn't have any stamping would have been just the bare blocks- which would mean only enough for dealer repair/replacement and race engine builders. Since the CE stamping didn't start until 1968 or 1969, those earlier blocks wouldn't have had the CE number but I don't know whether they had the Tonawanda stamping on them, so that could affect the totals too.