283 Nova Block Questions

Kingpen · 05-20-2011, 02:20 PM

I have a cast#721 Nova Block that is Std. 283 .Ive heard old tales of the Nova blocks being really thick & that G.M. used some of the same blocks for 283 & 327.Guess that would be why the 283 block would have extra material in the cylinder walls...Also,alot of the books & what not list this block as a 283 and some list it as a 327,depending on year model.this one has a December '63 cast date meaning '64 year model......it also has 721 cast under the timing cover(same as back of block) but also has 870 under the timing cover too.I know the early 327 blocks had a cast # of "870" because I have a few in shop...was this 870# along with 721# mean it was used for 283 & 327?......I know alot of 283 Stock & S/S guys use this block instead of a bowtie because of cost---maybe the old tales are true?.............Any enlightening would be appreciated...........Thanks Vic Penrod S/S 4563

05-20-2011, 02:20 PM	#1
Kingpen Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: sooner state Posts: 105 Likes: 3 Liked 64 Times in 22 Posts	283 Nova Block Questions I have a cast#721 Nova Block that is Std. 283 .Ive heard old tales of the Nova blocks being really thick & that G.M. used some of the same blocks for 283 & 327.Guess that would be why the 283 block would have extra material in the cylinder walls...Also,alot of the books & what not list this block as a 283 and some list it as a 327,depending on year model.this one has a December '63 cast date meaning '64 year model......it also has 721 cast under the timing cover(same as back of block) but also has 870 under the timing cover too.I know the early 327 blocks had a cast # of "870" because I have a few in shop...was this 870# along with 721# mean it was used for 283 & 327?......I know alot of 283 Stock & S/S guys use this block instead of a bowtie because of cost---maybe the old tales are true?.............Any enlightening would be appreciated...........Thanks Vic Penrod S/S 4563