[muscle_collector]

going thru some of my engines and I uncovered a NOS 4 bolt 400 block and caps. I had forgot about the stamping as I bought it over 35 years ago. it has the typical SR number only on the face of the block. the date is A053 (jan 5 73) has the 400 cast in the side of the block. on the back it is stamped
9799915A ok ive seen them stamped with the ra4 number but never with an A at the end. was this for A body by some chance or does anyone actually know?

[Joe's Garage]

One was installed in a 1969 GTO Ram Air IV car we had for a couple years.

The rest were either bare blocks or shortblocks.

On each one, the complete block casting number was ground off and restamped. Every digit, not just the '5'. On two of them you could still make out the 481988 original casting number.

I recall ALL of them being cast in 1973, but not the specific date codes. I'll have to go thru my pics of blocks on the old computer and see if we kept photos.

I'm not certain what the 'A' means, though. Sorry.

[77 TRASHCAN]

Rocky might know!

[johnta1]

SR Blocks

[Formulabruce]

The "A" blocks are Not made from 914 blocks, hence the complete re do on the stamp casting number. I have only ever seen 3 , and all were '73 casting dates.
2 were in 1970 GTO's , one a NOS block..

[muscle_collector]

that's how this one is also, all ground and all stamped. I am curious about the A stamping.

[Rocky Rotella]

So far I have recorded details and/or photos of at least (7) service replacement 9799915 blocks and (5) of them share cast date A063.

Interestingly, (4) of the A063-cast blocks are stamped with an "A" after the part number stamping while (1) is stamped with a "B". Similarly, I have a few 485428 SR 455 blocks that have the "485428" cast in as normal and a stamped "B" follows it. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to determine the significance of the "A" or "B".

I haven't yet recorded one with an A053 cast date. Is there any chance you can post a pic of the casting date, the stamped part number, and the SR stamping on the front of the block? I'd love to add your data to my collection!

[77 TRASHCAN]

Thanks, Rocky!!!
Are there going to be any magazines you will be able to write for, besides Don’s?

[Rocky Rotella]

Originally Posted by 77 TRASHCAN

Thanks, Rocky!!!
Are there going to be any magazines you will be able to write for, besides Don’s?

I have had a couple of stories in Hemmings Muscle Machines and may have an opportunity for a few more. And I also plan on writing a few more stories for Poncho Perfection, but beyond that, print media has really dried up. That includes Pontiac-related books.

I was fortunate that I launched my website www.PontiacV8.com a couple of years back. I just need to find the time to blog!

[muscle_collector]

Originally Posted by Rocky Rotella

So far I have recorded details and/or photos of at least (7) service replacement 9799915 blocks and (5) of them share cast date A063.

Interestingly, (4) of the A063-cast blocks are stamped with an "A" after the part number stamping while (1) is stamped with a "B". Similarly, I have a few 485428 SR 455 blocks that have the "485428" cast in as normal and a stamped "B" follows it. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to determine the significance of the "A" or "B".

I haven't yet recorded one with an A053 cast date. Is there any chance you can post a pic of the casting date, the stamped part number, and the SR stamping on the front of the block? I'd love to add your data to my collection!

I should have taken pics of it, it would take quite a bit of work to dig it out again. I sold a ra2 firebird engine to birdbrain on here and it took some digging to get to it. this one was sitting beside it. (only been sitting there for over 35 years). I did record the SR # it is SR86000

[Rocky Rotella]

Originally Posted by muscle_collector

I should have taken pics of it, it would take quite a bit of work to dig it out again. I sold a ra2 firebird engine to birdbrain on here and it took some digging to get to it. this one was sitting beside it. (only been sitting there for over 35 years). I did record the SR # it is SR86000

The SR number helps just as much, so thanks for that.

I wish I could determine the rationale behind the SR8 sequence. The numbers bounce all over the place.

[muscle_collector]

ive been asking these questions since the mid 70's. several friends worked at and a couple owned Pontiac dealerships. so far not one person has any idea about the SR #'s. I was told by a service manager years ago they have no tie to any car unless they were supposed to log it when they replaced them under warranty but he said they never did.

[tom s]

Maybe something like a work order number?Rocky,did you ask Nunzi?I think he worked at a dealer in his early years?Tom