The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Cracked block

Answer to question 3...the blocks are not too much different aside from the oiling scheme. Most people think the oiling scheme was better in the later blocks and that may be true, however I would not base my decision on that alone. Here is one notable difference: the camshaft used from 1959 and up to 1962 was better. Be it hydraulic or be it solid it was designed to produce more torque at lower rpms and it did that. Max torque was reached at 2000 rpm and the torque line is pretty level from about 1600 over to around 2600. Years ago there was a memo on the GM Heritage site that explained what they did and how it helped. They were trying to help reduce smog from bumper-to-bumper traffic and the thought that more power at lower rpms would be helpful was one of their first steps. Good luck!