Gary, Yup...drivers side of the block...just below the head / block mating line, the punched in numbers are ground away...I can actually see the grinding marks. I'm not sure what I want to do just yet, I'm just pissed that someone would do that. I guess they thought they were removing a VIN or something. And I'm still curious why it's turquoise and whether it's a non-auto block. Bill - It's the 2 that's off center and actually a different font. The 6 is in-line and the same as the rest of the characters. Don't know if that means anything or not. Dan - Does your book give ANY more info other than the casting numbers are for 318 poly engines? dates, etc? Thanks Bill M 65 Coronet 500 'vert On 10/15/07, Gary Pavlovich <glpavlovich@xxxxxxx> wrote: > > Bill, > When you are standing in front of the engine looking at the timing case > cover, are you saying the numbers and letter on the driver side face of the > block below the driver side head (not left and right sides of the block > where the core plugs are) is ground off? These numbers and letter are > stamped into the block with metal punches. > Sure, send me the picture. I may have a 1965 date coded Poly block if that > is important to you. > Gary Pavlovich