mbat

Hello,
I've done quite a bit of on line reading the last few days in an effort to ID the block and heads that are transplanted into my 57 super 88. Heads are 7A 1972 that's easy. The block cast number next to the oil filler is 395558 2 which should be a 68-70 350 block. The problem is with the stamped number on the small pad on the block under the #1 spark plug. It is 32Mxxxxx. The block casting shows 68-70 and the stamped number is 1972 code which matches the heads. FWIW the oil filler number starts with a 2 but they are easily replaced.

What do you think?

​​​​​​Thank you

Qwik71442

Looks to be a 72 Block with 72 heads

cdrod

^^This^^ You have a '72 block.
350 cid small blocks with casting number 395558-2 were used from 1968-1974. 1972 motors had 7a heads with hardened valve seats for use with unleaded fuel.

olds 307 and 403

Actually 68-76. The later 3B? blocks started with the windowed mains in 77.

joe_padavano

I think you should STOP getting your info from the FAQs at 442.com. The errors in that info are well known.

mbat

• haha yeah thank you. Now that I understand that it makes sense! I appreciate everyone's time to answer me. Do you have a good reference for timing a 72 350? The timing was set very high. So high, I thought the distributor was off a tooth and RE verified no 1 TDC. I want to say it was set above 30* initial. It forced the idle to be very high. I reset it to specs. This was two years ago and have always wondered why they had it so high.

Fun71

Is it the original points distributor? If so, try 10-12º @ 1100 RPM, with the vacuum advance disconnected and the vacuum source plugged.