Has anyone decoded their 340 serial number?

crackedback said
9/29/71 or even 8/29/71 would make it a 1972 model year engine at the earliest... what color were those supposed to be? Wasn't as though the big 3 had much of an idea regarding JIT inventory back then or rotating stock. Wouldn't be the first block to sit around a year + before being assembled.

Original paint? Yeah sure, that's it. LOL Not a chance with the casting date and model year designations.

The first 3 on the front of block could possibly be a "J"
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Junes usually are, I have a June '71 1972 model 340 with external balance and 915 heads, my June '72 340 had 587s on it. 340s were relatively low prodution, and '73 I think it was they started exporting them- but an older block being used on a newer motor doesn't seem out of the realm of possibility.

2s and 3s were blue.