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Well if you could get your hands on a 1971 400 with the higher compression pistons that would be a good thing but I'd make sure it was a CF or DIF block casting, not MCC. Otherwise I'd try to find a D7TE or D8x block from any of the foundries (MCC, CF, DIF) cast after March of 1977.
No the casting code should be on the lower right hand portion of the block. The foundry code will be up on the top of the block where the oil pressure sending unit port its.
If it is the stock, original engine and it is in a 1971, then it is definately a 400; they didn't make the 351M until 1975 (?). I think for safety's sake if you are to keep looking I'd skip the MCC blocks all together. No sense in taking any chances.
Turned out to be a 1977 in it... thanks for the info. I guess after reading the posts I won't likely be too fruitfull in my search for a '71 donor.
I'm trying to keep costs down, so the crank and pistons would really help, not to mention choice of heads. Makes sense to go this route instead of buying all new pistons and crank...
I just got back from a huge yard in Kansas, didn't find many 400s, but did find a full size with a DIF 400 built mid-year 72. I would assume this has the dished pistons? Also happened on a mid 60s Ford truck (looked to be a 1 ton) that someone dropped a stock 351C 2V into. It even still had the factory correct "351 2V" air cleaner on it, so they must have just pulled it from a car and stuffed it in the truck. I'd have loved to taken that home as well, but it just won't fit in my wife's Cavalier! It had a small "2" in the corner of one head, and a giant "2" in the corner of the other, so I would guess it had mis-matched castings for the heads, although that shouldn't make any difference. Sorry to ramble.
Go back and check that 72 400 to see what transmission is behind it. Some of the 72's had FMX transmissions and the blocks were cast with the small block bellhousing pattern to use with the FMX. These blocks are worth much more than the run of the mill 400 blocks. A bare small block pattern 400 block sold on ebay a month ago or so for $425.
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