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I finally found the trick to reading casting numbers on rusty engine blocks
I picked up a 1968 327 block at a swap meet in Bakersfield for $150 and the casting numbers were buried under 20 years of rust and grease. Tried wire brushes, degreaser, even a chisel and got nothing readable. Then a guy at the meet told me to hit it with white vinegar and fine steel wool, let it sit 15 minutes, and the numbers popped right out. Anyone else have a go to method for this? I'm tired of guessing what I'm buying.
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the_sean2d ago
What about checking the pad stamp on the front of the block before you even mess with the casting numbers? The stamp pad has the partial VIN and engine code, and it's usually a smoother surface so rust doesn't eat into it as bad. I carry a little squeeze bottle of CLR and a brass brush in my swap meet bag, and if the pad is still too far gone I just walk. No point dropping cash on a block you can't ID, and a seller who won't let you clean it up first is hiding something.
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