The 6M was used in all 7M blocks until they started phasing it out in '89. I've no idea why it was sprinkled in throughout '89 and I think maybe in some '90 year engines. The 7M is much beefier and better balanced, there are reasons one may choose to go with either one.

The only thing the N/A block saw before the GTE did were the beefier block castings (extra and stronger ribs and I think some heavier bosses and minor increases in outer wall thickness). These started showing up in '88 on the GE but not on the GTE until mid '89 or so, if I remember correctly.

So would i be wise to use the 6M crank if either motor has one? and also would it be better to use the my 86.5 GE block over the 89 GTE block?

:dunno:

okay so pics of said motor

http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/...mporary-58.jpg

http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/...mporary-69.jpg

okay so there is a metal head gasket. so someone was in there before. maybe a good sign if the gasket is good. havent opened it up yet.

Okay now here are stamping marks on the front of the head. if anyone can make sense of these let me know please i think the head was redone.

http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/...mporary-71.jpg

Apears to read
BMS
123
7 28 8

http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/...mporary-72.jpg

This one

9.50 8

Anyone?:dunno:

Since you're still not looking at a major build I'd match the crank to the electronics being unless you have a specific reason to do otherwise or one of the cranks is in poor shape. The 7M crank would be my preference out of the two as a starting point for a big build though but it would end up somewhere in between a 7M and a 6M as far as weight and form.

The rivet shows there's a MLS HG installed. The stamping was put there by a shop who worked on it... I'm really only used to seeing anything more than a label with serial number on the timing cover unless a very significant amount of work has been done to the engine and or head. Any similar markings on the block?

The scribble on the side is a positive... thus you know it was actually something cut into the mold. It's a mold identifier, you find those on all heads. Sometimes there's just one or two numbers and sometimes there's a good deal more. It usually is information used only at the plant and just specifies which casting revision it is and specifically which mold. IIRC, there are 27+ known different castings for the 7M head... I'm not certain about the number right now, I'd have to sleep on it.

thank you cre for all the knowledge :bigthumb:

http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/...mporary-74.jpg

well shes really clean up top

http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/...mporary-73.jpg

and ARP head studs :offwall: YAY

BMS
123
7 28 8

That's 7 25 8

A head rebuilt/remanufactured by BMS Engines on July 25 of 2005. 123 would normally be a serial or job number except that they never work on 7Ms so they just tapped in the 123 as a place marker, or it could be an employee ID.

I'm just guessing here.