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high nickel blocks ?

39K views 12 replies 10 participants last post by  senor_limpio 
#1 ·
Just out of curiosity, How can you identify the high nickel blocks from any other ?
 
#5 ·
DoubleVision said:
The nickel content is under the timing chain cover, some have 10 20 indicating the use of tin and nickel, if only one 10 or 20 is on the block indicates the percentage of nickel, 10 - 1% 20 - 2%
Tin helped the cast iron flow easier into the casting mold, nickel hardens the casting. 10 20 blocks go back all the way to the 60`s. Gm seemed to do this less in the later years, in the late 70`s the blocks were thinner and the use of tin and nickel was a lot less common. Most 80`s blocks I`ve seen are the same way. I`ve read the 307 small block never came with tin or nickel, but I have a 10 20 307 block out of a 1969 truck.
well if 10-1% & 20-2% what do the 400 block numbers represent(512 and 532)??
 
#6 ·
The 400 block castings were 509, 511 and 814. The 511 block is the best one to get but majority of them are 4 bolts which are a tad weaker in the main area. 509 2-bolt blocks are a tad stronger than the the 511 4-bolts due to the 4-bolt weakening the main cap area. 814 blocks is the weakest block. If you come across a 511 block with 2-bolt mains that is in good condition, you got yourself a gem.
 
#7 ·
I have a 511 casting 400, it also has the 511 on the front of the block behind the timing cover. Does that mean anything or is it just referring to the casting number. I have a 014 casting 350 (two bolt) and the only number under the timing cover is 014. But I have a 010 casting 350 and it has a 010 and a 020 under the timing cover. I know what the 010 and 020 are supposed to mean on but what about the 014 and 511? Is that just a repeat of the casting number on the back of the block or does it mean something too?
 
#9 ·
the 010 ( the 3 digits of the casting #) blocks have 2% more nickel & 1% more tin

also like braceteer stated the dipstick wii be on the driver's side

i know it's hard to see the casting #'s while the engine is still in the car. so if you have one apart, right behind the timing chain cover and timing chain(on the 010 blocks i don't know about the others) there will be numbers stamped into the block. they will say 020 & 010. which means 2% more nickel & 1% more tin

J
 
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