Casting date and foundry is located on top of the block back by the bell housing.
Casting date:
- 1st number is the year
- 2nd letter is the month
- 3rd & 4th number is the day of the month.
Located on the passenger side of the block near the bell housing end of the block is the casting number. We are typically looking for D8TE-xxxx and D9TE-xxxx blocks.
Here is an example D7TE-XXXX block and the date pad. The casting number is hard to read here.
Another D7TE-XXXX block, different location on the same end of the block.
D7TE castings have had an issue that came out of the Michigan foundry.
Foundry casting is located with the date on the top of the block.
As long as teh casting number is a TE block, after March 2, 1977 we are safe. A TE block from the Cleveland foundry is fine with any date.
Foundry casting codes and date codes are significant for M-block engine blocks because some blocks that were cast before March 2, 1977 at the Michigan Casting Center are prone to water jacket cracking in the lifter valley area. Blocks cast at the Michigan Casting Center after that date do not have the cracking problem.
To avoid the water jacked cracking problem, watch out for engine blocks with the Michigan Casting Center foundry mark and a date code of 7C02 or earlier.
Cleveland Foundry – Casting code “CF”
Dearborn Iron Foundry – Casting code “DIF”
Michigan Casting Center – Casting code “MCC” Watch out for these castings!
Here are two examples of a Michigan casting:
Here is a Cleveland casting:
Here are where Michigan castings are prone to crack:
