I have this block in my truck and had it tested to make sure if the block was cracked and it came back with a clean bill of health. Anyways what I was wanting to know was this more of a problem with these blocks in the northern (colder) weather or the southern (hotter) weather. I know temp change in block can cause problems this is just something I was thinking about. So far this truck has had an easy life and the most it has had to do is haul fire wood till I started fixing it up.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 16-Aug-02 AT 01:41 AM (EST)]thanks, "down & dirty" Bill

looks like i might just do a cheapie rebuild on the '74 michigan motor to throw in the '77 cougar & free up some garage space, and use the block from the cougar for the "good" 400 to go in my ranchero. hopefully the one in the cougar is cleveland foundry, or at least a "fixed" michigan... it was a special order, delivered in july '77 i think.

is there a certain date code or anything to tell whether a mighigan foundry block is one of the good ones or not?

 

>is there a certain date code or anything to tell whether a
>mighigan foundry block is one of the good ones or not?

According to the Monroe book the "magic date" for MCC blocks is March 1 1977, casting date code should be 7C01 or higher as in 7Dxx.

 

also early 400 block can have a DIF casting on it. so far as we know there are no issues. if mine goes ill let you guys know.

 

thanks for the info! it looks like i need to dig the cougar out and have a look...