OK gang, big problem or no problem. I went shopping today for the elusive "BH" block for my project. What I did find was a Dart Lite 225. These were only made in 75 and 76, "I think". I'm 95% sure this isn't a cast crank engine. The cast cranks came out in 1977, right? It has the extra ribs that Doc refers to on the BH block, but I have not found the casting number on the block.

I have my steel crank and 1mm oversize (+0.085") pistons "ready to go". Am I in for an unpleasant surprise with this block?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Gilly

tlg225ccr@aol.com

Does that block look like this one?
It could be one of the last forged crank units, look for the tapered water pump rib. (thats not a 100% indicator but it's another clue)
DD


Link to engine ID messages

YUP, YUP. That's EXACTLY what it looks like.

The first numer is 030-10 and the second in the little oval is 2695? ( I think). Now for the dumb question. The rib does taper front-to-rear, but doesn't get "thicker" as it gets close to the

Thanks for the help.

Gilly

tlg225ccr@aol.com

You wouldn't have a pic of that Dart lite would ?

Very rare car now... I would be interested in a scale pic of the emblem.

-D.Idiot

Thick at the block and thin as you move out to the end of the water pump "ear". (mounting flange)
DD

I was afraid of that. On this block, no taper. I'm holding out until I pull the crank.

As for the embelem, the car is in Petersburg VA. I'll take a camera the next time I go.

My continued researh turned up info in the "new" Mopar Performance book stating that the blocks went to a "thin wall" design in 1974. Limits, "per the book" are:

1960-1973 0.060" Max
1974-1984 0.030" Max (wonder if this is what the "30" on the side of the block means?)

Of couse, I'm SURE everyone here always follows Daimler/Chrysler's recommendations exactly LOL . I have a set of +1mm (+0.085") KB 268's ready to go. Have any of you punched out a later model block this much?

Gilly

tlg225ccr@aol.com

As far as I know, most any Slant block will go +.100". I know some brave souls who go +.130".

slantzilla@excite.com

You just have to get a look at the crank, there are reports of the first "thin rib" blocks having forged cranks. (75-76 years)
DD

Do you call it brave or something else ? I went to .130" over but I also filled the cylinder block with cement to with-in 1 1/2" from the top.
So far so good ?


damuel@kalama.com

That's my son and my block. It is a forged crank block and it's done. Runs real strong.

MAndreas@aol.com

Hope you don't mind me "recycling" your PIC.
With any luck, we will figure out which "thin rib" blocks have the forged cranks, I'm not sure how many years are like that.
DD