69 DZ Blocks

[crobjones2]

Therefore - there are NO 302 DZ motors built at Tonawanda using the 388 block. Tonawanda, from what can be garnered from the evidence, only made 350's using the 388 block?

[Steve Shauger]

Below is a 388 (tonawanda) block assembled at flint V0318 DZ. Notice the plug is missing above the timing cover. This was in an unrestored survivor car. The interesting point is that it was assembled in flint(see stamping), and these block presumably were only cast at Tonawanda. It made no sense when it was discussed several years ago. I believe there are a couple of other examples as well. The picture attached was resized so its low resolution, but I have higher resolutions stored on another computer. The stampings look genuine.  

[HOT3O2]

Thanks for the pictures Steve, It seems to me that maybe they were short on blocks at times and had to have some of the 388's shipped in from Tonawanda.

[Steve Shauger]

Thanks for the pictures Steve, It seems to me that maybe they were short on blocks at times and had to have some of the 388's shipped in from Tonawanda.

Thats the only scenario I could come up with as well.

[Steve Shauger]

Just an FYI, the other survivor Z with a 388 block was assembled V0425DZ

[HOT3O2]

Steve, Have you ever seen or heard of any 68 built 69 Z28's with the 388 blocks?

[GaryL]

Seems like I remember several people being shot down for "original" DZ engines using Tonawanda blocks. Maybe not here, but over at TC.

[Steve Shauger]

Seems like I remember several people being shot down for "original" DZ engines using Tonawanda blocks. Maybe not here, but over at TC.

As noted it very uncommon, and it has been debated, however when you have several survivor cars with the 388 block you need to acknowledge those examples. I remember when conventional wisdom was that the 323 block was first used in 68 only, and I had a survivor 67 L78 built with one (this was 1995), then several other late built cars with the 323. Now that block is recognized as used in late 67 built cars. Things are discovered almost daily and once you have several data points with common findings you at least have to acknowledge "new information".

[HOT3O2]

I'd be curious to know what the DB has for the earliest DZ 388 block.

[JohnZ]

Seems like I remember several people being shot down for "original" DZ engines using Tonawanda blocks. Maybe not here, but over at TC.

As I recall, the key issue wasn't a Tonawanda-cast block, it was a "T"-prefixed "DZ" stamp on the pad; a Tonawanda-cast block is (remotely) possible, but a "T" stamp on the pad is not.

[sixt9x33rs]

As I have mentioned several years ago, on Team Camaro, I have a 69 RS Z which is an unmolested 35K mile car and for some reason on the POP There is a "T" instead of a "V" in the motor assembly location on the plate. My block is a Flint cast block as well. The stamp on the block corresponds withe the POP as well. My engine is a second week assembly; tranny, rear end, interior, carpet, shifter, body panels, glass except w/s all born with. Can't make out a vin in the rough cast area. Car had 90% original paint when purchased since has been repainted. When purchased looked like a old car that had been sitting in a building with years of dust and grime on it, surface rust underneath and on the motor.

Couple guys on this site know the car.

Restamped  mis stamped, I don't know or really care...it is a cool old time capsule.

Lawrence

[HOT3O2]

Hey Lawrence, Would love to see some pic's of your car. You don't come across too many in that condition.

[sixt9x33rs]

Hey Lawrence, Would love to see some pic's of your car. You don't come across too many in that condition.

It's painted now and the underside painted too. PM me and I can send pics before paint.

[HOT3O2]

If the 388 block was cast at Tonawanda, Were the other 3 DZ blocks cast at Flint?

[JohnZ]

If the 388 block was cast at Tonawanda, Were the other 3 DZ blocks cast at Flint?

Yes. All of them were also cast at Flint (actually at Saginaw).