More 409 Trivia

[oldskydog]

I just discovered something new and wanted to see who else can spot the differences in this 068 block. There are at least 4 things different from other more typical 068's.:scratch
The winner gets a free tour of my non-air conditioned shop during the months of July through September(transportation not included). The consolation prize is a tour of Phil's 63 convertible collection.:cool:

The first 4 pics are of the subject block as just listed on ebay but attached here for your convenience:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1962-62-Chevy-Impala-409-BBC-Big-Block-engine-3788068_W0QQitemZ180257982132QQihZ008QQcategoryZ14 0682QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


The following page shows an NOS 068 and another example of a used o68 and an 814.

[oldskydog]

Here are a few pics of regular 068 blocks including an NOS 068 shortblock and a 814 for comparison.:coffee:



#1 068 #2 NOS 068 #3 NOS 068 #4 422 #5 814

[Brian Thompson]

Not sure if this is it, but here goes....

1 - There is an hour stamp by the casting number.
2 - There is no oil fill hole in the top front of the block, it faces the rear in the lifter valley.
3 - Still looking......

Am I close????

[Phil Reed]

Am I close????

Yes you are ................

[threeimpalas]

The bosses on the lower passenger's side of the block aren't tapped on the eBay one, unlike the others picture.

[petepedlar]

The extra hole in the block above the cam ?????


Dave

[oldskydog]

Ok, Looks like Brian was the winner of the first and probably biggest difference. Dave spotted the same thing but just from a different clue and Mike spotted the obvious.

This 068 block is the first one I've seen that was cast by CFD, with a julian date of 266 which should be sometime in August of 63 (possibly 64 ). As a CFD block it has the casting clock which supposedly started some time during the 64 model year. It's hard to tell by the pic but it looks like it doesn't have the X on the front which calls into question whether any 068 was cast with the X. I certainly would have expected it since it seems that the X came about with the change over to the CFD foundry.

The most significant departure from typical 068, 914, 656, and 962 castings is the change to the oil fill area like the 422 blocks with the oil fill into the valley and the hole to let oil into the timing chain area instead of dropping directly into the timing chain area.

Armasteel main caps.

It's obvious that this block was still being cast simultaneously with the 814 and 422 which is strange since it seems that each would have been an improved version of the basic 409 casting design and would have superceded the previous version although it is evident by the 64 Parts Catalog that both the 814 and 422 were in the inventory in 64 and were listed as 814 for lo perf and 422 for hi perf replacement applications. Maybe the 068 was the hi perf crate engine until the 422 replaced it in the over the counter parts inventory sometime in late 63/early 64. In other words it looks like other than signifying the year it was introduced into production, casting number was more application specific than year specific as indicated by the Parts Catalog. Since there were no 068 lo perf applications in cars, It sort of makes sense. Truck and industrial applications however, are another story.

Since this is undoubtedly an over the counter block, the fact that the pass side front mounting bosses aren't drilled suggests that it was built for a specific passenger car application not a universal one.

:scratch

[Ronnie Russell]

Cecil, That was interesting and fun also. I would have never guessed there was an 068 CFD block. Pretty cool stuff. And the 814 being listed for lopo and 422 for hipo in the 64 catalogue is curious also. Weren't the z11 engines an 814 block? Very interesting stuff , for sure. Thanks for posting .

[CHEV601234]

Have seen 068s with julian and 068s with Xs. They're out there. Agree on the casting clock........64

[dakota tom]

I have a 068 block with a cfd mark and a 171 date code. It also has a F191 cast above the oil pan rail.

[threeimpalas]

...and Mike spotted the obvious.

Just call me Captain Obvious. ;) Brian should've spotted the bosses.

[Brian Thompson]

Just call me Captain Obvious. ;) Brian should've spotted the bosses.

Didn't really think that was different than any other block since they can all have them drilled or not. Oh well, you got me!

[oldskydog]

I have a 068 block with a cfd mark and a 171 date code. It also has a F191 cast above the oil pan rail.

Tom,
That's very interesting. Where is that F191 casting located exactly? Do you have any pics?:scratch

[Tom Kochtanek]

Cecil, that was really intriguing!

I never thought much about the overlap between castings, but your evidence is compelling. Thanks for putting some of the puzzle together for us :).

Best,
TomK

[dakota tom]

I'll get some photos in a few days.

[dakota tom]

OK, after picking up a 409 block repeatedly two different evenings my back and knees are hurting and I can't find a casting date.:bang

I got this 409 068 block over 25 years ago and the casting date was written in my notes from the time. I wasn't aware of juian code untill a year ago. I did have a 1966 396 block with a casting date on the pan rail which may have caused my mistaken post.

My notes had F191 as a casting date. The juian code on the block is 171 visable after cleaning. I think I misread the 171 and the screwhead mark as F191 years ago.:doh

I also haven't been able to get a good image reduced to the limits of this forum.:dunno

This 068 409 block with juian code 171 has a X on the front of the block. All four bosses are tapped. The oil fill is closed in and goes into the timing chain area. The right hand block surface is not stamped.