Bought a '70 442, W30?, the machined pad on block has L3E with 8401y stamped underneath the L3E. The code by distributor is \ 120 /, stamped on blocks oil filter mount is 009-7-87, which is also stamped on the end of one of the F heads. The casting number by water pump is 396021FA. Car was built in December of '69, car has CA emissions and had a CA plate in trunk. Trying to figure out what this block was in or was it from a boat? Any help would be appreciated. Chris

 

From my understanding the L means marine or industrial use so it could have been a water pump

 

L is for lancing
3 is for 1973

 

Ok, that makes sense, any idea's on the 009-7-87?

 

I don't think so
On the pad it's a marine or industrial used motor
9D10AE13-9021-429F-81ED-5EDD1D14B7CF.jpg

This one was a marine

 

I am not sure date code ?

 

That's exactly how the block is stamped.

 

OLDSTATA, does your block have anything stamped by oil filter mount?

 

Mine doesn't have the oil filler tube but it has the common block number 396021fa

 

Oil FILTER mount on bottom end.

 

A big F is all I can see I also checked my other two can't see any thing other on. Any of the three

 

Thanks for your help, was thinking it might be another use besides car but could not find any info.

 

Olds FAQ talks about the L blocks some maybe it will help it's been awhile for me

 

Looked under FAQ for L blocks, did not see anything, Block does not seem like anything worth rebuilding, just wonder what the 009-7-87 stamping number was for? Possibly stamped when engine was rebuilt, but why the heads. Having heads redone and there going to take some work to reuse.

 

M is for LanSing (as in Michigan)

This is NOT an automotive VIN-derivative, so it is clearly not the original engine block. This was formerly an industrial or marine motor.

 

Did marine/industrial engines get F heads? The OP said that the number stamped on the block was also stamped on one of the F heads. Maybe this was warranty short block and they swapped over the original top end?

 

Pretty sure not. There would not have been any number stamped on the heads, either. Dealerships frequently didn't even bother to stamp the VIN derivative on a replacement block, so it's unlikely they would stamp the same number on the block and heads.

 

Thanks for the info, any ideas about the stamped number 009-7-87? Anyone have a number stamped on the oil filter mount on engine block? Fortunately the car does have the OW trans and it matches the vin.

 

I taking a guess but maybe a rebuilder stamped it ?

 

That's one possibility.

 

Any chance these are E heads with part of the E ground away?

Let's see some photos of these stampings.

 

Small cast numbers on heads are 404438, have to get in barn to get picture of stamped numbers.

 

Here is the info from olds FAQ

Marine Blocks
The marine blocks I've found have the numbers crudely stamped (ie, not even), in a font size larger than that used for the VIN derivative, and there is a drill spot on the number pad. The stamped-in numbers are of a different size and font than that used on the factory-stamped motors and are not lined up very well.

On the block ID pad, where the ID numbers go (front drivers side), there is a number that begins with an "L". This strange "VIN derivative" (or engine unit number) number starting with L denotes a marine motor.

 

Yes the L letter and the T are larger than the three in between, the row below the top row the 8401y is stamped "normaly", have to get a picture its buried in back of barn. It spun #7 rod bearing if I remember correctly, have to check pistons for overbore size.

 

I would entertain a offer on a full rotating assembley from my marine motor all I would do is replace with better pistons

 

Pictures of block below, F heads are on car, 009 stamp is either behind alternator bracket or passenger side against firewall. The 009 stamp on block matches the head. Chris

 

Is the marine motor anything special over other 455's? Block I have is good and local engine builder said he could save crank by using Cheby rod on #7 rod that spun. Bought car with bad motor, when drained oil it came out like wet mud. Crank as I remember is a nodular (N) lettered unit.

 

If it has the N keep it it's better than the one I have I got my marine motor cheap it was rebuilt but the guy didn't winterize it and the block froze and cracked I was keeping it but the motor I just disassembled has the N crank so I will be using it.

 

I assume you know the 120 is the Julian build date of block. what year I am not sure, but by the the distributor there should be a casting digit. I believe , all 70 455s have a # 3 by the jullian date.


if you are looking for a replacement block with the correct build for your w30 I have a 311 block from a lan 70 442 M1 vin ...

 

When I bought car I knew it was a 442 but was not sure it was W30, have since learned quite a bit about them, it has all the specific W30 stuff except carburetor. Built a '71 block figuring a lot of these original motors were flogged heavily and replaced. Texas is a long way to ship to MI, think I can find one in area? Thanks, Chris

 

I have some 1970 blocks, but mainly 88/ Toronado samples.
In MI, handy-ish