[Woodz428]

Yepper, that's a crossbolt side-oiler. It is also a service block as determined by the ribs on the side, that was started in the late 60s and used on all FE engines from then on. That is probably one reason the # didn't appear in all the casting books. It is my understanding that they may not be as strong, because of less metal content, it is however a new block so it doesn't have the associated 40 years of stress already. If you can get it for a fair price I'd get it. You might price out a Genesis block or Pond before plunking done any$$ since they have improved them in certain areas and cost are pretty reasonable, I feel. The Genesis is also NHRA legal with an early casting #, it is also used by Roush for their FE builds (the iron ones).