Magnum Block Education

MR4V said

Thanks 67dart273. Link is very helpful. As in the

As it said in the link "Some rare, early Magnum blocks are machined with oiling passages for the LA style heads"
How do I tell if it's an early block with the LA style oil passages? Is it the as as an LA block and will it look different?

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Yeah, you are probably referring to what we call an "LA roller" block. These were before magnums, but had factory roller cams. they have the tapped holes in the valley for the roller lifters. I have one of these, it came with an interesting timing cover.....looks just like an LA, with V belts, but the fuel pump mount is still there but has a factory "plug" in the hole. It appears you could cut the plug out, tap the mounting holes and use the cover for a pump

So LA roller block has roller lifters, but still has the oil hole up through the block. If in doubt you can stick a thin rod (coat hanger etc) down the hole and it should come out the cam bearing