44 replies to this topic

[yel327]

Only one side on red blocks. It'll be 308 for sure on a 1971 cast block. HP was basically finished by the end of 1969. You only really find HP on HT Brougham engines plus a few months in other HT's. They are almost always 1969 cast blocks although the odd late 1968 and (from memory) early 1970 engines have turned up.

[v8xu1pete]

Thanks for the info yel327. So, I'm reading my date code J151 as 15/09/71, a HQ engine, is that correct. Which side will I find the 308, driver or passenger, & will it be near the front or rear of the block.

[yel327]

In between the back and 2nd from back welch plugs on the starter motor side of the block, directly above the water gallery drain plug. Will be one of the following:

Blank (early 253)
HP (early 308)
308
253
308 (on both sides) - black 308/304. Not sure if blue 253 and 308 past VK introduction had designation on both sides.
5.0L on both sides (VN - mid VR from memory)
Blank (Mid VR onwards 304 and 350)

[v8xu1pete]

Thanks mate, will check it out. Have I interpreted my date code correctly.

[yel327]

Yes.

[Collo]

253 out of a HQ, I think.

That should be QR, not OR, as the engine number prefix.

Edited by slr_v8, 15 December 2012 - 07:43 PM.

[v8xu1pete]

Date code B232 reads 23rd February 1972, engine no QR140027, in regard to the head number, HQ, most HJ, LH and early LX start with 28 so this is consistent with it being a HQ engine.

[TerrA LX]

^ I third it being a HQ engine and am interested to know if it is rope seal (which I assume it is).

[v8xu1pete]

Block on left is first gen red neo seal, one on the right is second gen red rope seal.
Notice the difference on the rear boss where the dowel pins are?

The rear boss of my block date code J151 matches the pic on the left, so I presume mine has a neo rear seal. The 308 casting appears to have been ground off, perhaps when it was stroked to 355.

[TerrA LX]

Oh yeah, caught up in the festive season .
Thanx for clearing that up

[Statler]

Date code of 73N4 on a QT block. Does that sound right?

[Blair]

my engine block is A282, any idea on what this means?

[S pack]

A282. 28th January 1972.

[Blair]

Thanks, car is a 1974 Holden Torana SLR5000, A282 would suggest the engine was made 2 years before car. The actual engine number on block isnt readable... could this be wrong engine since it was made 2 years before the car? or is that normal?

[hanra]

Not the original engine.

[Blair]

how do you know

[S pack]

how do you know

No HT prefix 308 Torana engines were cast in 1972. The engine in your Torana is out of a 1972 HQ Holden. The engine number prefix will be QT.

The only other possibility is it could be an NT prefix NASCO replacement block.
 

Edited by S pack, 01 April 2022 - 06:42 AM.

[Blair]

O right. Thanks for that info. 

[Dr Terry]

No HT prefix 308 Torana engines were cast in 1972. The engine in your Torana is out of a 1972 HQ Holden. The engine number prefix will be QT.

The only other possibility is it could be an NT prefix NASCO replacement block.
 

The other possibility is a 11QT prefix out of an HQ Statesman.

 

Dr Terry