H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit. - Page 2

Nmbr1GMfan · 06-03-2019, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim H

Not trying to go off topic however since so many knowledgeable / helpful people have responded to this thread, how does one identify a production 4 bolt block w/ nodular caps ?

The caps with 2482 cast into them are nodular as I'm told.

Nmbr1GMfan · 06-03-2019, 07:39 PM

Picked up a block today, .030 over newly machined with new freeze plugs and cam bearings installed, but looks as if it's been sitting in a shop for some time. Here's the plan, about an hour away there's a guy that I know of that has a strip tank for car bodies, it TOTALLY strips paint and rust from steel so I've pulled all plugs and cam bearings out of this thing and I'll drop it to him tomorrow to see how it works removing rust from blocks. Hopefully cleaning the water jackets so it's ready for hardblok on the inside and super clean everywhere else. some probably think I'm crazy for using a stock block, but I promise I have a plan. This will be a backup engine (if it ever runs) to a real nice one later. Nothing special here, certainly no worse than the 2-bolt we had.

Rich Biebel · 06-03-2019, 07:53 PM

Yes Todd is correct. Three center 4 bolt caps have 2482 cast into them and usually N also. Nodular iron is still cast but better than plain grey iron.
Some caps are really pretty weak.

I’ve taken engines apart with a broken center main cap and the engine was still running !

Tim H · 06-03-2019, 08:29 PM

Ok, and the caps with the #3412 cast on them are the regular,less desirable type.

06-03-2019, 07:39 PM	#2
Nmbr1GMfan VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 1,763 Likes: 1,197 Liked 1,955 Times in 492 Posts	Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit. Picked up a block today, .030 over newly machined with new freeze plugs and cam bearings installed, but looks as if it's been sitting in a shop for some time. Here's the plan, about an hour away there's a guy that I know of that has a strip tank for car bodies, it TOTALLY strips paint and rust from steel so I've pulled all plugs and cam bearings out of this thing and I'll drop it to him tomorrow to see how it works removing rust from blocks. Hopefully cleaning the water jackets so it's ready for hardblok on the inside and super clean everywhere else. some probably think I'm crazy for using a stock block, but I promise I have a plan. This will be a backup engine (if it ever runs) to a real nice one later. Nothing special here, certainly no worse than the 2-bolt we had. __________________ Todd Greene

06-03-2019, 08:29 PM	#4
Tim H VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,044 Likes: 1,094 Liked 485 Times in 160 Posts	Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit. Ok, and the caps with the #3412 cast on them are the regular,less desirable type.

06-03-2019, 07:53 PM	#3
Rich Biebel VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs Posts: 2,320 Likes: 25 Liked 557 Times in 217 Posts	Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit. Yes Todd is correct. Three center 4 bolt caps have 2482 cast into them and usually N also. Nodular iron is still cast but better than plain grey iron. Some caps are really pretty weak. I’ve taken engines apart with a broken center main cap and the engine was still running ! __________________ Rich Biebel S/C 1479 Stock 147R