Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe's Garage
ALL the 1970 blocks we've ever played with - and that's at least forty of them - were gang-stamped. That one is definitely NOT.
We've never seen a factory-installed block that was stamped like that one is stamped. Ever.
Because of the 'wrong' look of that stamping, I'd be fairly confident that THAT block is NOT the original block to your car.
As mentioned, none of the 455s in 1970 got factory headers - they all got log manifolds.
If I had to speculate, it would be that the original engine in your car expired at some point in such a way that it could not be repaired, so someone swapped in a big car block and re-used the original '64' heads but upgraded the exhaust manifolds.
Does it still have the stock intake, carburetor, distributor, etc. ?
Block casting number 9799140 or 485428 ?
And how does the block date code compare to the head date codes and the actual build date ?
The evidence suggests that whoever told you that it was 'matching numbers' was not being honest.....
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I'd agree, the spacing and the lack of the gang stamp look (even worse these are "stepped"). Also the lack of the circular milling marks (used at the factory to finish the front mating surface) is a big warning sign.
Scrape all the paint off around there and you will see the answer, either you will see the original VIN stamp covered over and or evidence that the surface is ground down or remachined without the factory looking milling marks.