Once you identify what you have via the vin# or casting numbers (minus the crank) let us know what you have and people will chime in. The 385 series blocks is all I know about, if it’s a FE series I have no clue what’s good or bad, heck not even sure if there worth building. As for the 429 or 460 the difference between D1 block and D8 blocks is the D8 is externally balanced, also better suited for a stoker setup for clearances of crank & block. The heads are the make or break the bank deal, D2’s are boat anchors, D3’s are decent up to .5ish” lift & can make 400HP without spending $ to machine them for studs so that you can get a more aggressive cam but then they don’t flow very well so might as well port them at the same time getting machine work. All in cost is a smidge less than buying some decent aluminum performance heads or finding a pair of slim picking D0VE or similar heads. You want to see D0 or a C8 on head casting, if so you will wanna pull it prior to scraping (I would say any 429 or 460 would be worth pulling out but I’m a borderline hoarder .

Are you asking about what casting numbers you want to see on the engine rather than the ahh numbers? Do you know if it’s a 385 series, either a 429 or a 460 cubic inch motor, only difference between the two is the crank if I recall correctly.

I also have a set, come get them. They need some love

Your project is coming along flawlessly, must be costing two fortunes! Very nice.
 What style of interior are you going with? I have the same hull and went with a more modern look with 2 buckets, a bench seat in the back with the engine hatch covering the width of the boat (posted a picture on an old Mini day cruiser post). At times I’m upset I didn’t stay try to the era, keep the wide passenger seat, with the dog house and jumper seats in the back and spend a fortune to have it done in the original stitch pattern. The quote was ridiculous either way but well worth the expense to keep such a quality built and riding boat alive another generation hopefully 2.

I had the same problem with my 460 when I hooked it up to the hose. There is away to flush the sand out of the block, on my block they looked like wing nuts not sure if they all look like that, there is one on each side below the heads around where the freeze plugs are. I opened both of them and ran the water threw, I was shocked how much sand came out even had to poke the holes a few times to unclog the opening. The problem went away after this, maybe this could be the issue on your setup. I’ve since heard that lower Blythe where I tend to go is notorious for clogging blocks and ruining wear rings because the fine sand that gets turned up in the shallow water. I now flush my motor each year when it’s put away for the winter.


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