Thread: Casting and date code identification help

Tweet

Just want to start off by saying I'm new here and to forums, thanks for letting me join. I see there's a knowledgable group of people here and can hopefully help me out.
I just bought a 454 and was looking for some help with the casting number and date codes to see if this is worth what I paid for it

It's stamped Hi per pas 3999289
Also has
TO501DWB
13K554948
It's not torn down yet (actually haven't even picked it up yep) so I don't know if it's a 2 or 4 bolt main. But it looks like it has an original aluminum intake on it

Any help? Thanks, Roy

Welcome to CHR

Casting Number is for 1972-1979 454 two-bolt mains
TO501DWB
T= Tonawanda
05 = May
01 = 1st day of the month

DWB is not coming up - could it be CWB? If so it's from a 1973 Chevelle or Monte Carlo, 245 horsepower, automatic transmission

Nothing special, just a big block

Regards,Glenn

Thanks Glen, I only paid 250.00 for it. Is it worth rebuilding for my Malibu?

that block is a good block to build off of i used many over the year.s i have that same number casting block by the end for the week it will be short block 496 . 454 good core blocks are worth 300 that block came as a two bolt and four bolt HP blocks from Gm in early years have the 3/4 npt plugs above the oil filter and one to the side the oil filter . oil cooler ports. then that would be a 4 bolt main block but some trucks had four bolts and only one big 3/8 npt plug over the oil filters as well .if you wish it.s not hard to swap caps and make a low power Gm block in to a Gm Hp block done a many . blocks it self is the same but for four bolt caps the add time and cost may not be worth doing. as the bbc two bolt block can hold up very well .not like a smaller engine blocks that are two bolt block .were the bbc have bigger bolts bigger caps they do not move much if you stay under 650hp it will hold up very good. that block did show up in some muscle cars block cast code upper pad by peak of bell housing. lets say it is casted 1-25-72 that would tell you it was the 1 jan month and day 25 year 1972 all bbc are stamp hi per pas / truck ..hi per .. truck/marine... in cars it was the Hp option

Originally Posted by glennsexton

Welcome to CHR

Casting Number is for 1972-1979 454 two-bolt mains
TO501DWB
T= Tonawanda
05 = May
01 = 1st day of the month

DWB is not coming up - could it be CWB? If so it's from a 1973 Chevelle or Monte Carlo, 245 horsepower, automatic transmission

Nothing special, just a big block

Regards,Glenn

yep just another big block .but they are all special to me

I have a late model (1996 VI) big block, but I've been looking for an early model and ran across this one. Hopefully to have it at the house this weekend and get it torn down and see what I have. Not to sound stupid but were all BB 4 barrel's? If not how can I tell?

Originally Posted by Royth473

I have a late model (1996 VI) big block, but I've been looking for an early model and ran across this one. Hopefully to have it at the house this weekend and get it torn down and see what I have. Not to sound stupid but were all BB 4 barrel's? If not how can I tell?

you taking 4 barrel carbs ? there were 396 that were two barrel engines . lower HP were Qjet s big hp numbers some were big holley single carb and tri power setups .

Yes carbs and heads. That was the issue with my Gen VI the heads were small chamber and small intake/exhaust ports. This engine looks like it has a factory 4BBL aluminum intake on it. Just wondering how to tell if it was a factory 4BBL engine and if the intake is correct?

Originally Posted by pat mccarthy

yep just another big block .but they are all special to me

Right on, Pat! I knew you'd chime in and give this guy some encouragement!!

Originally Posted by Royth473

Yes carbs and heads. That was the issue with my Gen VI the heads were small chamber and small intake/exhaust ports. This engine looks like it has a factory 4BBL aluminum intake on it. Just wondering how to tell if it was a factory 4BBL engine and if the intake is correct?

never been a number guy. i just build what i want or customer wants.i never stay up at night not having the right year head bolt or intake bolts right amount over spray on intake . if this engine has the right HP intake it would have casting date code along with heads and there date codes GM did make over the counter O port intakes .all this stuff is bolt on parts very hard to say whats happen or who did what