Head and Intake Question

[turbojet427]

I got two quick questions. First, when did the 291 big block heads come into production? Were they produced in 1969 or did they start in Jan. of '70? Second, I seen a 163 intake with a date code of 12345678 on the underside of the intake. I don't remember if it had . (periods) between the numbers or not. The intake did have the Winters snowflake casting. Very original piece. Any idea what that date means?

[Carleen]

From MorTec

3964291....69-72...rect..CLOSED..396, 402, 427, 454, 109cc chamber, Large or small hex spark plugs used, crate motor usage in years after 1970.

[SuperNovaSS]

That was not a date. that was a casting check. The date would have been somewhere else.


Jason

[Unreal]

Late production Camaro (L78, L72) used the 291. I think its use coincided with the introduction of 70 model year for other Chevy.

[61 vert]

I have seen 291 heads cast in July of 69.

[turbojet427]

I ended up purchasing the 163 intake. The intake has no date on it. The casting check numbers are in the location were the date would normally be. The snowflake is identical to 68 and 69 dated aluminum intakes that I already have.

[SuperNovaSS]

If it is a 68/69 intake the date should be on the belly of the intake where the heat cross over is. Sometimes they get worn off from the intake sliding around.

Jason

[Chevy454]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbojet427</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I got two quick questions. First, when did the 291 big block heads come into production? Were they produced in 1969 or did they start in Jan. of '70? Second, I seen a 163 intake with a date code of 12345678 on the underside of the intake. I don't remember if it had . (periods) between the numbers or not. The intake did have the Winters snowflake casting. Very original piece. Any idea what that date means? </div></div>
I have an 840 head dated <span style="font-weight: bold">F 7 9</span> and a 291 head dated <span style="font-weight: bold">F 10 9</span>, which are about 3 days apart...so I'd say that the 2nd week of June [1969] would be close to the switchover.

[427.060]

I believe there have been 1969 model year engines found with one each 291 &amp; 840 cast heads from the factory. The 163 intake may be a later over the counter intake.
James

[Chevy454]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427.060</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I believe there have been 1969 model year engines found with one each 291 &amp; 840 cast heads from the factory.
James </div></div>
That is correct...

[turbojet427]

Weren't the later ones dated also? I also thought the snowflake changed and/or was eliminated after 1969-1970 intakes?

[SuperNovaSS]

The snowflake/firing order location was not changed until the 80's.


Jason

[turbojet427]

I did some cleaning and found the date. 12/20/68. Thanks for the input