1964 block casting number size

[Doug F.]

dug out a 64 870 block recently and saw that the casting numbers were less than 1/2" tall, it is obviously a flint block but according to the judging manual the numbers are way small, did i miss a change in the manual or is this related to the 180 block thing in some 64's, don't want to spend time and $ rebuilding it if i'm gonna get laughed at , thanks for your input

[Alan D.]

Re: 1964 block casting number size

Here is one from a Mar64 car, original.

[Doug F.]

Re: 1964 block casting number size

thought these were listed with my first post, oops

[Wayne M.]

Re: 1964 block casting number size

.....dug out a 64 870 block recently and saw that the casting numbers were less than 1/2" tall, it is obviously a flint block but according to the judging manual the numbers are way small, did i miss a change in the manual .....

Doug -- here's what I've always considered the larger 870 casting font. This is on a Flint block dated K_30_4 [Nov 30th 1964]. Reading the '65 Tech Manual, it says "approximately mid-year (~ Feb '65 ??) the vertical height ... was reduced due to the introduction of new molds. However, the smaller height did not completely replace the larger number ... and both appear to EOP '65".

Like you, I put an open-ended 9/16" wrench on the last zero, and the outside edge of the character just touches both flats, so I'd guess 9/16" +/- a 32nd. Tried to take a pic but didn't have enough hands .

[Dan H.]

Re: 1964 block casting number size

Here is one from a Mar64 car, original.

Alan, my B124 block has the same font/size as yours, even the 'crooked' 0 on the end. What's your date?
Dan

[Alan D.]

Re: 1964 block casting number size

Dan, It's B104. Bet that number surprises you since yours is earlier than mine (I as remember)

So here's the story. The original owner (Pete) and a close friend both ordered their cars the same day, time, & dealer. Friends car was a 365hp while Pete's was the FI with TI. Pete's car arrived two + weeks after friends.

Bet it was pulled (engine) for a regrind so the "RX" could be stamped, not sure of production order for this process however it was a regrind for some reason which could have made it "out of order" so to speak.

[Mark G.]

Re: 1964 block casting number size







Mark

[Monte M.]

Re: 1964 block casting number size

It is interesting that this was going on at the same time that the Tanowanda Plant also happen to run a handful of blocks with the full size numbers we associate with the Flint Plant. I will get the exact dates of the Tanowanda blocks I am aware of with the big numbers.
To date I have seen four different sizes of the 870 casting number between Flint and Tanowanda.
Is the Tonawanda block with the larger (9/16") casting number common, Or is it an oddity as well?