4-bolt blocks

[zac]

I kind of hate to rehash this old subject, but I want a little input. Here's the deal:

I'm getting an engine rebuilt for my '70 K10 burb. It has the optional 350, it's still in the truck and I'm not pulling it out until the new one is built. I think it's an actual '70 motor, but I can't be positive. I have a 4-bolt block, the usual 0010 truck block that came out of my '72 K10 burb. I also have a '74 3/4 ton Chevy van that has a 0010 block, LS9 option code 350 in it. It has the little oil passage plug in the top front area of the block that is usually a good indicator for a 4-bolt block (although I've seen 2-bolt blocks with it as well). I know for a fact the van has the original engine. It has been in my family since it was new.

I would like to use my '72 block for my '70 burb, but I still want to have a 4-bolt block around to use later for a Vortec 383 build for my '79 K20. I feel fairly confident the van is a 4-bolt, and probably the engine in my '70 as well. But I know from experience there's really know way to know other than actually pulling the pan. But the crossmember situation on both trucks is going to keep me from doing that. Anybody know any other indicators for 4-bolt blocks or have any input?

[stich626]

look through the oil plug in the pan, they make a thinky with a light on the tip that let you look in there

[too much stuff]

Drop the pan is the only way i know of for sure...

[cdowns]

4bolt is much ado about nothing

if i had a 4bolt block i'd sell to some idiot that thinks they can't live without it and invest that money in building a nice strong very reliable 2bolt main engine

[zac]

Originally Posted by cdowns

4bolt is much ado about nothing

if i had a 4bolt block i'd sell to some idiot that thinks they can't live without it and invest that money in building a nice strong very reliable 2bolt main engine

I agree. I have a 2-bolt 0010 block. It was in my first truck, a '49 F1 with 461 heads,big cam, Muncie 4spd. I did horrible things to that engine and it never skipped a beat. But I'm not sure .030 will clean it up after all the times I went through it. Everybody has there own opinion on over-boring, but 350 blocks are so common I've decided I'm not going past .030. The only reason I want to use the '72 block is because it was in my '72 burb that I drove into the ground, and I still feel guilty about it. The more parts I can use off of it, the less guilty I will feel. Or so the thinking goes.