Technical Engine / Nailhead experts I need an opinion

Tore down my '63 401 to rebuild, and see these cuts, or casting marks just behind the 2nd pair of lifter bores. Gonna get rid of the casting flash anyway, so I'm thinking a little smoothing out with a grinder, but just wanted to know what I'm looking at.

 

I think you're looking at Buick quality....or lack...

but I wouldn't worry about it, since it's lasted this long.

 

Were those cast in Flint?

 

Before I sent my 425 to Centerville Auto, I removed all the flashing as I did not want a failure from a piece of metal going through the oil system. I can't remember who advised that , but it was good advice.

 

Every 401 I have torn down had those casting grooves. Remove the casting flash and roll on.

 

I think it is from when it was cast and major flash was knocked out.

 

I'd not remove anything but the flashing. If it's lived with simple marks this long any extra removal could be at the least a waste of time, and possibly weaken the area trying to blend them out. Removing flashing is always good for oil return flow.
I used to paint my internal lifter valley with GE glyptol on all my rebuilds as I'd been told it slicks up the valley and helps oil return also. But I quit as I felt it just wasn't that big a deal.

 

^^^^ Good advice. Removing that flashing, which is often razor sharp, will get a thank you from whomever is installing the cam bearings and fitting them to the cam. Now I'm curious. I will need to uncover a 364 block to see if the grooves are there.

 

That's what I thought. I cleaned up the casting flash & went over that a little. Good enough I think.

 

Looks good. That is about how much I removed from the lifter bores when I did my 401.