[89 Irocz]

dose anyone remember the old Chevy blocks ending in 010 those are supposed to be the high nickel blocks aren't they what is that supposed to do for them make them wear better or something

[Custom10]

one advantage is the increased strength of these cast blocks, the nickel increases the blocks resistance to crack/break.

[LATECH]

they also dont rust as easy in the coolin system. I remember someone I knew had a 305 and even with antifreeze all the time it would be a rusty red color, I figured it was due to the low nickel content in the block JMO

[cobalt327]

010/020 thread of interest- http://forums.hotrod.com/70/1289406/...acy/index.html

Regardless of what side of the "010/020" alloy content deal you happen to come down on, IMO the most important consideration should be cylinder wall thickness/core shift- regardless of any so-called "high Ni/Sn" content of the cast iron.

[SSedan64]

This has been discussed here a few times. I remember someone saying those Casts could have been used with most any mixture.
A little Info>> http://www.chevytech.info/2c42o8.html

http://www.chevytech.info/2c42o9.html
http://www.chevytech.info/2c42o3.html

[cobalt327]

I read a thread from another forum (forgot which one ) that had a post from some guy who swore he worked at the GM foundry.

This individual went on to explain what the "010/020", etc. numbers indicated- and it had nada to do w/the metallurgy content of the iron, at least according to him. He did have a reason for the numbers, though- just not anything to do w/Ni or Sn.

Anyone recall this or have a link to it? I cannot seem to locate it (I thought that the link I added above was it- it's not...).

[ericnova72]

Originally Posted by cobalt327

I read a thread from another forum (forgot which one ) that had a post from some guy who swore he worked at the GM foundry.

This individual went on to explain what the "010/020", etc. numbers indicated- and it had nada to do w/the metallurgy content of the iron, at least according to him. He did have a reason for the numbers, though- just not anything to do w/Ni or Sn.

Anyone recall this or have a link to it? I cannot seem to locate it (I thought that the link I added above was it- it's not...).

I saw it too, and IIRC the GM foundry worker just said it was the #'s for the end core plates in setting up the mold and had absolutely nothing to do with the metallurgical content of the iron used for the block.

I knpw I have just seen just "010" and "020" seperately, on 307 and 400 blocks.

[cobalt327]

I was hoping someone else had seen that- and what you've described is identical to what I saw.

I wish the 010/020 deal DID mean something- I have a standard bore c/n 509 400 block marked that way! It's missing a rear main cap, though.

I've seen 014 blocks, too. And I own a 727 5.7L block w/"058" on it- so what does THAT signify, I wonder? Sure doesn't sound like anything to do w/the alloy...

[ericnova72]

Cobalt, I've got a 350 "014" casting sitting here w/"020" and w/"509" under the timing cover/in the rear face(like a 400 block). What would that mean? Some Voodoo "special" 350/400 hybrid block?? (I checked, no siamese cylinders)LOL...I think its just as the foundry worker said, those #'s mean nothing about the metallurgy.

[cobalt327]

Originally Posted by ericnova72

Cobalt, I've got a 350 "014" casting sitting here w/"020" and w/"509" under the timing cover/in the rear face(like a 400 block). What would that mean? Some Voodoo "special" 350/400 hybrid block?? (I checked, no siamese cylinders)LOL...I think its just as the foundry worker said, those #'s mean nothing about the metallurgy.

It MUST be a Corvette block!

[ericnova72]

Originally Posted by cobalt327

It MUST be a Corvette block!

Nah, ...it came out a a 3/4 ton van

[xxllmm4]

I'm no expert at this but have done some research.

#1 None gives real proof, nothing from GM just statements with nothing to back it up.

#2 I don't think anywhere in any part cataloger they specified high nickle or Tin blocks.

#3 I have never talked to anyone who says they machine differently.

Until someone cuts some blocks up and has a metallurgy test done I'm going to say their the same metal.