[size:11pt][/size]Old story was the first 426 hemis sent down to Daytona for the 500 in early February of 66 had cylinder wall issues from being too "green". I'd read where it was common to cast blocks then " season" them outside for a couple months before finish machining. I could be thinking of 1964 also. Before they were forced to install them in production cars. Off topic but drag racers always prized motors out of station wagons for their easy life and many stress relieving heat cycles.