Mopar 413/426 Max Wedge block casting number confusion

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Brooks James

Brooks James

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I've been collecting parts for a max wedge clone car. I have a 413 out of a motor home that has the same block casting number 2205697 as the one Mecum has for sale in Jan They are touting it as a Max wedge block.i contacted them to ask for pics of the block that show the factory block notching to clear larger valves. Two messages... crickets
My research indicates that the blocks are listed as both 413/426 , 59-65
AND
59-65 light trucks and passenger cars
Could it be that the 413 block was the source of both engines, and the 413 block was bored 60 thou to avoid a casting an actual 426 block.
I don't put anything past MaMopar
Update: just read an article by Greg,
"All max wedge engines have the bores notched at the factory"
 
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I thought that not all max wedge blocks had that notch???
A question for Greg Lane if there ever was one.... find any info on his site??
 
According to 440 Source, casting 2205697 is a max wedge block. 2658836 is the casting number for the later truck/industrial block. Are you sure the block was original to the motorhome? Looks like you have a max wedge block.

 
wawarnick said:
According to 440 Source, casting 2205697 is a max wedge block. 2658836 is the casting number for the later truck/industrial block. Are you sure the block was original to the motorhome? Looks like you have a max wedge block.

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Not absolutely certain, will look at it and post pics later today. It has valve covers on it with looms for the plug wires on the top of the covers, similar to 273 commando, but in inch or more higher off the covers. If I have time I'll pull a head off
 
Brooks James said:
I've been collecting parts for a max wedge clone car. I have a 413 out of a motor home that has the same block casting number 2205697 as the one Mecum has for sale in Jan They are touting it as a Max wedge block.i contacted them to ask for pics of the block that show the factory block notching to clear larger valves. Two messages... crickets
My research indicates that the blocks are listed as both 413/426 , 59-65
AND
59-65 light trucks and passenger cars
Could it be that the 413 block was the source of both engines, and the 413 block was bored 60 thou to avoid a casting an actual 426 block.
I don't put anything past MaMopar
Update: just read an article by Greg,
"All max wedge engines have the bores notched at the factory"
Click to expand...
There were 413s that were cast for max wedge engines that failed to get fully finished into max wedges. These blocks were put in anything from Generators to Motor Homes.

On a 413 max wedge, the casting number is only part of the faction. To be a true max wedge, it needs 3 things, that casting number.

Then it needs AAQA on the front of the block

Then it needs the cylinder notches.

Machine pads and notches can be and have been faked or restamped . The AAQA can’t be.

It HAS to have all 3 combined to be true.

Odds are, if that came from a motor home, it’s not a true max wedge engine. It probably is just one of the extra blocks. Seems Mecuum got fooled again… not the first time, it’s been well documented
 
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wawarnick said:
According to 440 Source, casting 2205697 is a max wedge block. 2658836 is the casting number for the later truck/industrial block. Are you sure the block was original to the motorhome? Looks like you have a max wedge block.

[/URL][/URL][/URL]
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

That chart isn’t telling the full story. 22005697 was not a max wedge number and only used in 1963. Furthermore, only max wedges sold in 1963 were 426 Max Wedge Stage IIs.

The casting number 1852029 was the only block number used on 413 Max Wedges. Notches, AAQA and such are all needed to be a true max wedge.
 
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Per Greg Lane, 413 maxwedge blocks were 1852029. Stronger than the passenger 413 block #2120529.
Max blocks have: AAQA front of the driver's side bank, notches on the exhaust side of the cylinder bore, to clear max exhaust valves. and a different font and stamping size than normal (distinctive).
In 63, supposedly some of the 413 max blocks got drilled to 426 bore, but the great majority were 2406730. Mine is a 730
Pics of real max block follow.....

20181125_120335.jpg


20181125_120207.jpg


20181125_120156.jpg
 
33IMP said:
Per Greg Lane, 413 maxwedge blocks were 1852029. Stronger than the passenger 413 block #2120529.
Max blocks have: AAQA front of the driver's side bank, notches on the exhaust side of the cylinder bore, to clear max exhaust valves. and a different font and stamping size than normal (distinctive).
In 63, supposedly some of the 413 max blocks got drilled to 426 bore, but the great majority were 2406730. Mine is a 730
Pics of real max block follow.....

View attachment 1715995900

View attachment 1715995901

View attachment 1715995902
Click to expand...
Yep.

One other thing to note. All max wedges had TWO different font types on the machine pads. Just like that
 
33IMP said:
Per Greg Lane, 413 maxwedge blocks were 1852029. Stronger than the passenger 413 block #2120529.
Max blocks have: AAQA front of the driver's side bank, notches on the exhaust side of the cylinder bore, to clear max exhaust valves. and a different font and stamping size than normal (distinctive).
In 63, supposedly some of the 413 max blocks got drilled to 426 bore, but the great majority were 2406730. Mine is a 730
Pics of real max block follow.....

View attachment 1715995900

View attachment 1715995901

View attachment 1715995902
Click to expand...
Love to see the car too .

I have a real 1962, 413 max wedge, block only. It’s totally a boat anchor. Too rusted really to do anything with. Thing was storied by the previous owner, apart, on a dirt floor barn . It was sank in the dirt half way down to the valley.
 
The way I read 440 source chart, the 697 block is NOT a max block. Just a 413. The listing for MAX blocks have a parentheses note indicating max status, that the 697 does not have, and shows only the 029 and 730 numbers.
440 source chart only indicates that it is a 1962/63 413 block, so, truck?
 
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dukeboy_318 said:
Love to see the car too .

I have a real 1962, 413 max wedge, block only. It’s totally a boat anchor. Too rusted really to do anything with. Thing was storied by the previous owner, apart, on a dirt floor barn . It was sank in the dirt half way down to the valley.
Click to expand...
It's out of the car at the moment, but the car is just a slant six 62 savoy originally. Currently, a 440.
I got the max in a straight across trade, carbs to pan, for a 1968 Z28 302 with the right casting numbers.

20181218_120000.jpg


20181218_115928.jpg
 
dukeboy_318 said:
Yep.

One other thing to note. All max wedges had TWO different font types on the machine pads. Just like that
Click to expand...
How you know all that stuff? Duke boys ain't supposed to be smart. lol
 
dukeboy_318 said:
That chart isn’t telling the full story. 22005697 was not a max wedge number and only used in 1963. Furthermore, only max wedges sold in 1963 were 426 Max Wedge Stage IIs.

The casting number 1852029 was the only block number used on 413 Max Wedges. Notches, AAQA and such are all needed to be a true max wedge.
Click to expand...
Not all 63 426 are Stage II’s. Stage II production didn’t start until June of 63. Per Greg Lanes info.
 
33IMP said:
The way I read 440 source chart, the 697 block is NOT a max block. Just a 413. The listing for MAX blocks have a parentheses note indicating max status, that the 697 does not have, and shows only the 029 and 730 numbers.
440 source chart only indicates that it is a 1962/63 413 block, so, truck?
Click to expand...
Yeah, truck, generator, fork lift, or RV. Truck basically meant anything heavy duty.
 
33IMP said:
The way I read 440 source chart, the 697 block is NOT a max block. Just a 413. The listing for MAX blocks have a parentheses note indicating max status, that the 697 does not have, and shows only the 029 and 730 numbers.
440 source chart only indicates that it is a 1962/63 413 block, so, truck?
Click to expand...
Or out of a C-body.
 
The plot thickens considerably, the block has a 4.250 bore, thus A 426
Original steel factory head gasket, numbers correct, the valve cover gaskets are hard and will require a sharp scraper to remove they've been on for so long.
I'm thinking that it's a virgin, never opened up, which would mean it's a 426 from the factory
 
My two cents, no offense. I'm thinking you are wrong. You really think the factory bored and machined your motor to prep it to be a 426, then stamped it incorrectly identifying the engine for what it is?? Why?? How do you know original head gasket?? Crusty valve cover gaskets mean it got hot at any time in the last year, much less fifty.....
 
From what I've heard, if Mopar was short items, they would grab whatever was on the shelf that fit
 
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