what year block is best to have ??? i built a 73 455 two years ago and this spring #5 cylinder cracked top to bottom and hydrolocked and shaddered the pistion . block was a virgin block it was sonic checked and magnafluxed and it was ok. block was bored only .030 over . are the 70-72 blocks any better?? stronger? thicker cylinder walls?? bettter oiling? . i want to use the ta perfomance stroker kit but i dont want another block to crack on me again. any info would be great thanks rick
Hi, welcome to the board! Many will say the later blocks, say 75/76, have more material than the earlier 455's. I don't know that I've actually seen anyone quantify that info though.
Heard the same thing. Supposed to be 10 lbs heavier too. The racer's tend to scoop them up. I had to get mine with the whole car around it. The car makes a good toolshed.
I just finished putting a 75 block in my car. Have a 72 bare block on the floor, so I was able to chose between the 2. The 75 has much larger water jacketing. The block is a completely different casting from the 70-74 motors. I have been told by members on this site that oiling problems were corrected, as well. Visibly, the casting was better looking, not as much flash or "bee" holes.
