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Getting ready to build this 455 - what year block could it be? It has nothing stamped on the small driver side pad. Has the Serief F on front, 68 and f4 on rear, 52 and 6 at the dizzy.
There is no way to tell from the photos you posted. The ONLY way to determine the model year of an Olds block is from the VIN derivative stamp. The second character is the model year. In the example in the photo, the "2" means 1972 model year.
No decal on the filler tube.
I read on here somewhere that the 6 on the back means 1972? 5 would be 71, 4 a 70, etc. Is that true?
No. That large digit is a mold number, not the year. Now, there is SOME correlation between mold number and year, but not always. I have too many blocks where the VIN derivative stamp contradicts that "year of casting" myth.
I'd be hard pressed mistaken to believe there is no VIN derivative stamp on the engine block pad. It's hard to see, sneaks under the ALT next to cylinder #1. You may need sandpaper or a wire brush to remove paint/crud.
If the pad is blank the block could be a service replacement (under warranty perhaps) installed by a mechanic too lazy to stamp the block when he installed it in the car.
The only difference in 455 blocks that I am aware of is being drilled for the clutch pivot or not. Other than that, they are interchangeable so knowing what year block it is doesn’t add any value.
