Identifying a 6.2 "Red" block

[bk95td]

I picked up a pair of 6.2s with the same date code of 9/7/82. There is no bumps in the valley. I didn't find any red paint anywhere yet. They both have the coarse thread injectors. Would these be the red blocks?

 

[iamdave0887]

With that date code and the coarse thread injectors I'd say those are definitely red blocks. The paint could've fallen off or been removed. How rusty/dirty are the engines?

 

[bk95td]

Pictures

Both blocks were cast the same day. One has a "F4" on the rear face The other has a "F3" on the rear face. There is some type of temp switch in the rear crossover coolant port in the blockoff plate.
One engine was complete including direct drive starter.The other was disassembled to short block plus heads. They have been stored in a garage with a dirt floor and leaky roof but were covered, for the last 8 years. The cylinders in the short block cleaned up good. No big pits but a hole in one piston and badly eroded spots in the other 3 on the passenger side bank. Must have been run with badly peeing injectors.

 

[chevyCowboy]

um what exactly is a red block?????

 

[Missy Good Wench]

The 1982 engines were Painted red and not black like the 83 and later engines.

The 82 and 83 engines had coarse threaded injectors.

Through 84 the 6.2 also had cast rocker arms too.
Later engines had the stamped steel rockers the same as the 6.5 does.

The 82-84 had the two piece Glow plug controler with the solenoid on the LH inner fender and the controller on the rear of the LH Head.

The 660 casting is the early 6.2 block..

The early "RED" Blocks were reported to be of a better material than the later ones.

Can't say for absolute sure, but that is the rumor.

As far as I am concerned, the best 6.2 Block is the late 6.2 that was cast using the 599 casting and has the one piece rear main seal. (90 and later 6.2)


Missy


Missy

 

[redshift96]

Given the casting date of Sept. 1982, it seems these would have been installed in 1983 model year trucks. Pretty sure that eliminates it from the "red-block program".

The coarse injectors threw me for a sec, as I didn't recall that those extended into the 83 models as well. If so, I think that's your answer. Unfortunately.

 

[uniquediesel]

Definitive answer: If it has the date stamped on the flange behind cylinder #8 in the format of XX-XX-XX it's a "Red" block, otherwise refer to the date code stamped (that doesn't resemble, look like, appear, approximate, coincide a date code).

J

 

[chevyCowboy]

so the blocks that he has pictured are "red blocks"

 

[redshift96]

Not sure I get this. So some 83 model year trucks might have gotten the higher nickel blocks also? First time I've heard that.

Sure would love to see some definitive sources on changes to the castings in the 80's. TDP has a fairly detailed history of the later block castings, but I've seen nada from the horse's mouth on any of this. Does GM detail any of this anywhere?

 

[bk95td]

Here's the date code off a reman I bought before christmas