69 427 block machining

[Rixls6]

Has anyone else seen the front main area of a `69 427 machined like this one?

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/Rixls6/100_0073.jpg

[Rixls6]

I guess my question should be: Does it look like something the factory would have done, or something done afterwards?
I'm looking to buy this block, and all else looks good, but I've never seen the front of a block machined so far down that it takes out the numbers cast on the front.

[firstgenaddict]

Was it done for a Gear drive or something of the like?

[Rixls6]

It may have been. Thanks James.
I guess no one else has an opinion on this.