I picked up a 454 core last weekend. The stamping on the front of the deck is "C71177703", the casting # at the rear of the block is "361959",and the head castings are "336781". What is this beast out of. The block and heads were cast in '77.

Rick,

The heads (336781) are from a 1974 454 engine, 110cc chamber volume, 2.06/1.72 valves.

Your engine casting number identifies it as a Mark IV 454.

Dunno about the other number. My book was not helpful.

The heads have never been off of the engine and were cast in '77. (E 25 77) My brother had the same heads on a '78 pickup engine.I did some searching today and found out that this engine came out of a '77 Chevy 3/4T. Camper Special. It has an oil cooler adapter between the block and the oil filter.

The other number is the "partial vin code", which is how you determine a "numbers matching" vehicle....
C is the assembly plant of the chassis (I'll bet C made trucks. C = Southgate)
7 = 1977 (as you found out)
1177703 was the VIN sequence # of the original recieving vehicle.

Regards,
MadMike