Strange Head Casting Date

[SuperNovaSS]

Has anyone ever seen a head casting date like this one? The head that came with it looks like it is dated J259. I can't remember seeing a Y month before.


Thanks,

Jason

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w301/super-novass/492Heads12.jpg

[beater68427]

That is odd!!!

[SuperNovaSS]

Its funny, I have been trying to clean of the shelves by putting some heavy items in my Ebay store. That is why I came across these heads. When posting them in my store I did a Ebay search for the casting number and found a similar set with the same type of date:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevy-Camel-Hump-3991492-Small-Block-Heads-/110901953826

I wonder what the Y is?


Jason

[Bill Pritchard]

From the linked eBay auction wording: "3991492 “ARE” the 2nd Ranked Most Sought-After Small Block Chevy Heads Made Between 1969 & 1972, for the 350c.i. Engine "

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/confused.gif I don't find this casting number in Colvin's 65-69 book or the 70-75 book, so I think that guy is mistaken. Must be 1963 date????

As far as the letter Y, I think the most logical assumption is that a foundry worker put the wrong letter in the casting mold. It appears that your head and the other one were cast 5 days apart....you'd think someone would have caught the error before several days went by, but who knows?

[luzl78]

I believe the 492 heads were the over the counter heads that gm and crane cams were selling. They flowed pretty good.

[SS427]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bill Pritchard</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> As far as the letter Y, I think the most logical assumption is that a foundry worker put the wrong letter in the casting mold. </div></div>

Not sure that is the case Bill. I checked ebay the same day this thread was started and there was coincidently another set on there with a Y date code as well but completely different than this set of heads so if it were a mistake that made it a couple more times. Why would they even have a &quot;Y&quot; stamp in their tool box in the first place since I have never seen it used before? Interesting......

[bergy]

The &quot;Y123&quot; is on a brass tag that inserts into the pattern and is secured by the two slotted head screws. Flat heads for first shift and round heads for second shift. I don't think that it's a coincidence that the numerical date is &quot;123&quot;. I'd guess that someone was casting a bunch of aftermarket or over the counter heads and filled the date slot with a generic &quot;123&quot; date.

[SuperNovaSS]

That is very possible but if that is the case than why is the mate to my other head a 69 date. Here is the link to my ad:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251091660846?_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649&amp;item=251091 660846

Just to clerify, this is not a classified ad, I simply thought it was a good topic for discussion after finding these heads while cleaning the shelves.


Thanks,

Jason

[69z28302]

I had a set of 492 heads that were angle plugs. I believe these were the heads that were over the counter and before the 282 heads. Availble in Straight or angle plugs.

MM

[300deluxeL79]

i also have a 492 head with a W 16 3 date.

http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo33/69belair/ENGINE/101_0302.jpg

[Bill Pritchard]

Hmmmmm, the plot thickens. So much for my theory of someone accidentally using the wrong letter <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif

[69z28302]

What plant would these heads have been cast at?

[SS427]

Got a call from my engine builder this morning with a set of M dated heads.