[Rich Biebel]

During my days in the engine building business.......I soniced many blocks and we also hardness tested them. There was a big difference in hardness on small blocks no matter what year they were from. A softer block was usually not as good an engine as a harder block, even if the thickness was good. Most blocks marked with the 010 as everybody knows were usually better. Core shift can easily be spotted at the cam hole and the machined area around it. If the machined area appears to be not concentric with the cam hole....you have a block with core shift and not only will the cylinders be off so will the crank centerline in relation to the bottom of the block. If you have a stroker crank like for a 383 SB buildup and turn it over with a rod and piston and check your rod to bottom of block clearances side to side....you'd see what I'm talking about......Bub.....seems like everyone always thinks engine building/ machining should be cheap. I guess they haven't noticed how many shops are no longer in business either......... Bub, I got your name right and I don't even know you but I know your reputation for building very strong running Stocker engines....