has anyone every tried to use a marine / industrial block? can you simply block off the lower water outlets and use this block on the street?
If you're talking about the holes on either side of the timing cover, & the cover has 1 bolt @ 12 O'Clock, use the timing cover from a 51-54.
We need more information on what you have. Have you done any searches for information here???? This topic has been talked about on several levels. Yes they can be used. Also, Marine and Industrial blocks weren't the only ones that had lower holes. I have two early 331 blocks that were p***enger car blocks that have the holes. If you're not using the stock pump and are doing a timing covers water pump conversion, the correct timing cover blocks these holes off. They are not used for street applications. In my signature line below is a link to the HEMI Tech Index. Click on the banner/picture and get comfortable. There is tons of information behind that link. In the mean time, your questions are not 100% clear. Give us a little more clarification on what you have. The numbers at the front of the valley on top will tell us EXACTLY what you have (unless it's an Industrial motor). Tell us more!
Be careful, the crankshaft on the marine engines has no provisions for timing chain and gears. Usually crank has to be changed for a car crank. PAW has a very good website with lots of infos on early hemi parts ID
Check old racers, lots of 'em actually prefered marine/industrial motors because some came with adjustable rockers and some had good flowing heads, my 331 is gunna be running 354 industrial heads, because i cant afford 354 car heads and the industrials i found have HUGE valves and runnners I believe don garlits ran marine hemis for quite a while
Sodium valves, right? Just watch that center steam port. They're usually taller and some manifolds won't cover them.
PAW's catalog page with the ID info showing the pictures is a little misleading and not completely correct. It should NOT be relied upon.
HOT HEADS makes everything you need to run an industrial motor on the street. they have a timing cover that blocks off the lower cooling p***ages, its also set up to run the sbc water pump..i would change the cam .from what ive heard the industrial cam is useless for a street motor .also what i read is you have to use a 55-56 cam and use a thrust washer kit ....check out there site...i could be wrong on some of this ,,,so call them......
Some had those valves, some didnt, as for the center port, it's nothing that cant be fixed, i'm gunna make my own mainifold flanges, but otherwise, i'd probably weld or braze it up to normal size, not like it has to be perfect
Sometimes its cheaper for someone to find a guy getting out buy a bunch of goodies. I know were's there is a 331 ind with 354 heads and all rebuilt years back. Plush a bunch of goodies for it as well edmunds intake 2x4,old carbs, chrome/nickle covers plated way back and super nice,headers, and a dizzy etc. or 354 block with 354 heads 354 crank all on size all hot tanked and mag. A couple of sets of pistons stock and Domed,M/T alum Rods and stockers maybe two sets,two cranks, two sets of rocker ***,Had all the gasket and the bearing but not sure what I have left, Old cool Crager 671 intake with a Polished 671 dyers with a 3" gilmer Belt setup,2x4 and 6x2 for the blower top,Old alum wilcap timing cover for Injectors but can use with standerd set-up,Chrome Imperial covers Chrome when chrome was Great, water pump change over etc of goodies. Really half the cost of buying part by part.
The '55 cam is a long snout & can't be used with the HH cover. The 56 354 cam is what is needed. Add a spacer & run 318/340 timing chain. Of course, all this is in the Hemi Tech Index.
Was the block used in salt water ?. if so check it out real good before sticking a bunch of money in it.