The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 350 stamped (not cast) numbers HELP

Gentlemen, I'm new to the forum so forgive me if I missed this topic elsewhere. My 1971 350 has a casting # 3970010....it's a 350. BUT, the flat spot on the block in front of the passenger head is stamped 9.015 period. This engine was worked on 20 years ago by Pettis Performance in Hesperia but they haven't responded to requests for info. Is this "9.015" a factory number or maybe a mod number the shop put on it after grinding off the original?? or I am I looking in the wrong place??

Thanks for any help

Hy Bigwire, all the engine serial numbers I've seen were alphanumeric, two or three letters followed by numbers, hope that helps.

That's what puzzles me. The area depicted in other posts usually has the alpha numeric string. Mine only says 9.015.

The date code is B 4 7. That must mean its a '77?

Thanks 3B!

I'll take a guess the 9.015 refers to the deck height. Stock deck height on a small block is 9.025. They probably took a .010 cut on the decks to true them up. This would have removed the original stamping which was re-stamped with the new deck height of 9.015. It's a guess, but seems logical.

John

John, thanks! I think you are absolutely right. It makes complete sense now. I appreciate your time.

Tom