Question concerning a 4006630-440 Block

[john108]

Question concerning a 4006630-440 Block
During the casting of 4006630-440 blocks, did Mopar change the shape of some of the ribs. 
Can you have two Blocks of the same Part number that have differences in the stiffener geometry?
Below are two pictures (A & B), both on the driver's side of the block (use drain plug as a reference). 
Picture "A" appears to show that the material is thinner around the freeze plug, on the right, than the material between the 2 freeze plugs.
Picture "B" appears to show that the material around the freeze plug, on the right, is thicker than the balance of the material between the 2 freeze plugs.

Am I seeing an optical illusion or are the Blocks Different??
Picture "C" is only provided for reference to show the Passenger side of the block.

[Musicman]

In this case it's probably an optical illusion more than anything else, but castings are castings, and they can vary from one mold to the next. They also get modified on occasion, hence the last digit in the number sequence 4006630-440-(4). this particular casting has been modified (4) times. Over time numerous design changes were made to the blocks as well, especially where the ribbing is concerned. I had a link somewhere to an article which covered this subject fairly thouroghly... I do not have it in front of me at the moment however.

[john108]

I asked these questions because pictures "A" and "B" are the supposed to be the SAME block.  I had trusted and believed a machinist when he called me and said, that after mag inspection, the block had a crack (YELLOW LINE between freeze plug holes) in it and should be scrapped.  I believed him and said OK.  Later when I received picture "A" from him, I tried to compare it to the pictures I took of the block.  It looked different to me and wondered if I was too trusting and was snookered.  When I called him hoping he possibly got me mixed-up with another block, he got very defensive and somewhat nasty.  That alone made me more concerned.  I definitely learned something.
I would appreciate any other comments.
Thank you
John

[cdr]

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CDEQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.440source.com%2Fblockinfo.htm&ei=m9w4UpSgOI_82gXG14GQBQ&usg=AFQjCNFK3o7u7nqLUUO9S_g8jpb6EX3I-g&bvm=bv.52164340,d.b2I

[Musicman]

Unfortunately, your images are not true before & after shots, since the angles and lighting are different, and the block has been cleaned. There are a few visible scars on the block that could help identify it however. Again the pics are not a true before & after, but that said however, you can look at the images below and see what you think. The scars circled in Green in the first image appear to be NEW Damage from the machine shop, but the areas circled in Red and Orange are definitely old scars and could be used to compare one block against the other. Some folks will purposely etch an identifying mark somewhere inconspicuous just to ensure that no one can pull a fast one on them. If I had to go by the images below however, I would have to say that they are one in the same. You have the block in front of you however, so only you can be the judge.

[A383Wing]

I have had a number of 383 blocks with cracks between the middle & last freeze plugs on the passenger side....

[john108]

Thank you
Musicman -  The marks you circled in red and orange could indicate that the pictures are from the same block.  I was not smart enough to mark the block.  It was sent to scrap before I could see it.  Again, my mistake.  The way the block reinforcement appeared in the pictures made me wonder.  The machinist sent me picture "A" from his cell phone.  I was so disappointed that I didn't think.  Live and learn!  Thank you, again.
John

[Musicman]

  Anytime brother.