Common questions

Is a high nickel block good?

Is a high nickel block good?

The high nickel content made the block stronger and more resistant to wear, but it must be used with caution. Many high-nickel content blocks were cast with relatively thin cylinder walls, and can only be safely over-bored by about 0.030-inch.

What is a high nickel block?

High Nickel content blocks were cast for trucks back when a truck had a small gas engine. Haven’t seen one since the seventies. The added nickel content made the block tougher (less prone to crack), but also harder to machine which is why the factory only used it in truck engines.

Why are all SBC 010 Blocks high nickel?

010/020/509 front mold was used on 350 and 400 blocks with higher nickle. if there is 010 and 020 this indicates there is 1 percent more tin and 2 percent more nickle in the block, these seem to be the more desireable. 010 at the end of the “casting” number does not mean any more tin or nickle. Re: ARE ALL sbc 010 BLOCKS HIGH NICKEL????

What are the numbers on a SBC 010 block?

Numbers under the timing cover are 010, 020, and 509, and discovered that it contains no measureable nickel or tin. This entire high nickel block legend is a hoax.

How can you tell if a block is nickel or tin?

Identify the block casting just above the crankshaft main journal. Note the numbers you see there. They indicate the block’s nickel and tin content by volume. If you see both an 010 and 020, the block has 10 percent tin and 20 percent nickel by volume. An 010 or 020 by itself indicates the block’s nickel content as 10 or 20 percent, respectively.

How much horsepower does a high nickel block have?

Some high nickel blocks made up to 370hp, but most used the same internals as all of the other blocks, so they were stuck at the 165-260 depending on whether you use crank hp or wheel hp. It makes a great foundation for a high performance engine, and is generally were a few more dollars than a standard block.

010/020/509 front mold was used on 350 and 400 blocks with higher nickle. if there is 010 and 020 this indicates there is 1 percent more tin and 2 percent more nickle in the block, these seem to be the more desireable. 010 at the end of the “casting” number does not mean any more tin or nickle. Re: ARE ALL sbc 010 BLOCKS HIGH NICKEL????

Numbers under the timing cover are 010, 020, and 509, and discovered that it contains no measureable nickel or tin. This entire high nickel block legend is a hoax.

Identify the block casting just above the crankshaft main journal. Note the numbers you see there. They indicate the block’s nickel and tin content by volume. If you see both an 010 and 020, the block has 10 percent tin and 20 percent nickel by volume. An 010 or 020 by itself indicates the block’s nickel content as 10 or 20 percent, respectively.

Some high nickel blocks made up to 370hp, but most used the same internals as all of the other blocks, so they were stuck at the 165-260 depending on whether you use crank hp or wheel hp. It makes a great foundation for a high performance engine, and is generally were a few more dollars than a standard block.

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Ruth Doyle