DZ cast dates-how early ???

[Redneck]

OK, correct me here but wouldn't a nov 68 cast 386 block be to early for a 03D car?? what wuld the correct time frame on the cas date would be correct??

[Salvatore]

I think within 60 to 120 days. Give or take , but I am no scholar to make that final decision. I have an 11D car. My rear is original it is 11th. month 18th day, and trans is S 07. (Nov.7th)1968. My engine was not original, but I got a dated block that is the second week of Nov. 1968. My master cylinder is original and it is julian dated 304 and the proportinate valve has a 276 julian date on it. Holley is correct also with 891 date on it. Hope this helps.

[GTO_DON]

Sam, thats too long. on every original gm car ive ever had the block was cast no longer than 3 weeks prior to the build of the car. with maybe the exception of a limited production car, and ive rarely seen that! so i believe that block is way early for that car.

[Musclecarkid]

I just sold a 69 model year "388" 350-300Hp 4-bolt motor that was cast L-18-68 and was stamped T0212HA. Assembled 7 weeks after it was cast. I bet it was at least another week or more before it was installed in a car.

[Late BrakeU2]

[ QUOTE ]
Sam, thats too long. on every original gm car ive ever had the block was cast no longer than 3 weeks prior to the build of the car. with maybe the exception of a limited production car, and ive rarely seen that! so i believe that block is way early for that car.

[/ QUOTE ]

I would agree,my DZ casting date was 9-23-68 and it's a 10C LOS car.

[Benny]

All 03D Z/28's had February or March dated blocks. Chevrolet put the push out to get these cars on the lots for spring and in doing so, ate up a lot of the inventory. As such, you will notice that February and March Z/28 cars have very "tight" dates.

[Salvatore]

I still would not be afraid of a car with parts that is 60-100 days away from production. Maybe the earlier cars had more time in between and the later cars were pushed out quicker. That 03D car may or may not be too late for that Nov. motor. I will say this much....it is pushing it. Jan. or Feb. sounds like a better candidate. You just really never know in those days.

[Steve Shauger]

My 3B Z has engine cast date of B18 cast date and a 3/7 assembly date.
I know of another DZ engine cast B25 and assembled 3/15. The cast,assembly and body date were very close during that period.

[SMGCO]

Shupe, MacNeish's book has the casting numbers and correspondening dates.

[miketz28]

my z o3e build date, engine cast 3-25, engine build 3-27,it was still smoking when installed!