Ruger

Hi I was just wondering how you might ID from the extearior an xd-xe cleveland block from earlier
blocks, just want to make sure im getting what I pay for
thanks.

STROKEXD

Best way I know is to check the diameter of the distributor shaft by measuring the I.D. of the shaft recess in the block. If it is a black block it will be 12mm, earlier blocks 1/2 inch. Without looking inside the block this is the only way to tell.

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gs1973

Dont forget that some XC's had the smaller diameter shafts too and they were not called Black blocks....

4Vman

The only reason they are called black blocks is because they were painted black in XD/XE falcons...

Id check date codes on the block or the dissy hole if you're chasing a late cast block.
Im not sure why all the fuss is about black painted blocks... Aussie cast square blocks (73-83) are all the same except for the dissy hole, regardless of which color they were painted.
Some later cast blocks seem to be thicker in the bores but ive seen early cast blocks that are thicker too, its random and you'd have to check regardless.

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xdclevo

I think you will find the XC with elec distibutor still had the large hole older block.

STROKEXD

That's pretty much how I see it too.

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gs1973

Not always the case mate trust me.ive got a 351 block out of an XC and it is the small diameter hole.I found this when trying to fit an earlier model Dizzy in it.Also the XC series blocks have not got the two countersunk holes near the front welsch plugs and they are slighty different around where the Bellhousing bolts on.That is what I know and ive got XB and XC blocks.Not saying this is always the case but thats what ive seen.

Rhett

Due to the passing of many years - to further complicate things, there is no guarantee that the block in the car is the one that came from the factory anyway, or isn't a black painted blue or visa versa.

From the many discussions that we've already had on these forums regarding black/blue/pillow/Nascar/etc, it appears to me that any Cleveland block can produce the goods and survive to race another day, if the casting thickness is sound and the reborer didn’t go overboard.

Please correct me if I am wrong, but there simply isn’t any evidence that one is better then the other. I personally would choose a virgin bore before a pillow or black or blue or whatever the colour or dissy diameter is.