Aluminum blocks.

[Tod]

A while back I said I was going to cast a couple of aluminum blocks. I finally am taking time to do that. I plan on filing the water jacket core to make the decks .75 thick and filing some ribs where cracks are common. I also plan on making these for 5 mains with B block tail ends on them.

If nobody on here wants to get in on one (no price in mind yet) I will probably end up putting them on Ebay.

I am doing this to see how aluminum comes out and to see if some new ideas I have will make it easier for the foundries. The aluminum foundry is much closer than the iron foundry I use.

I also want to test my production machining programs and aluminum machines much easier than iron.

It would also be cool to see one of my new Winfield or Thomas aluminum heads on an aluminum block with an aluminum flywheel housing and an aluminum oil filter housing.

Tod

[hardtimes]

Hey Tod,
Thanks for the update !
Count me in as a buyer for one of these blocks (5 main/thick deck and B tail).
Can you say your vision for the four barrels, i.e.- will I have to install the iron sleeves or will you ? Also, is it possible to consider provisions for EXTRA LARGE STRONG main caps and maybe into block bolts ?? Lots of questions, but I know that you have the answers !

[Tod]

Originally Posted by hardtimes

Hey Tod,
Thanks for the update !
Count me in as a buyer for one of these blocks (5 main/thick deck and B tail).
Can you say your vision for the four barrels, i.e.- will I have to install the iron sleeves or will you ? Also, is it possible to consider provisions for EXTRA LARGE STRONG main caps and maybe into block bolts ?? Lots of questions, but I know that you have the answers !

Yes, ductile sleeves would have to be included from me. As for main caps, I can only use the sizing of the B caps for the standard 3 locations but they can be made larger (the plan going ahead for my blocks, anyway) and the 2 additional main webs would be solid and require billet caps.

Tod

[Tom Wesenberg]

So, I assume it will be a dry sleeve engine, right?

Will it be built for the counterweighted B crank?

[Tod]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

So, I assume it will be a dry sleeve engine, right?

Will it be built for the counterweighted B crank?

Dry sleeve. I'll need to talk to anyone that wants one to make sure they get just what they need.

If someone wants one with 3 b mains or 5 mains for a new crank, etc... I need to know within the next few days.

If there is enough interest I'll just have to figure on making a small run of aluminum. That might help with costs because sleeves would probably get priced better with volume. My sleeve manufacturer is 2 blocks away.


Tod

[Dodge]

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Good News Tod,
I am interested in one. Are you going to be machining the blocks to take bearings like
Snyder's B6331 bearings?
If so coulndn't you make the blocks 5 main and the ones that don't want to have a billet
crank don, plug the oil passage to the number 2 and 4 main and run a 3 main crank?
Also wondering about the bearing clearance on a STD crank with the aluminum block can
they make one half shell under size or how to you take care of that on some of your
other aluminum blocks?
Just thinking, thanks

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Put my name down as I would likely purchase one or two of the aluminum blocks.

[Tod]

Originally Posted by Dodge

Good News Tod,
I am interested in one. Are you going to be machining the blocks to take bearings like
Snyder's B6331 bearings?
If so coulndn't you make the blocks 5 main and the ones that don't want to have a billet
crank don, plug the oil passage to the number 2 and 4 main and run a 3 main crank?
Also wondering about the bearing clearance on a STD crank with the aluminum block can
they make one half shell under size or how to you take care of that on some of your
other aluminum blocks?
Just thinking, thanks

I could just make it a 3 main aluminum A or B block. I don't have to make these 5 main.

Tod

[Dodge]

I thought maybe 2 & 4 could be bolted in as units some how like guys adding them to
the stock blocks.

[johnneilson]

Originally Posted by Dodge

I thought maybe 2 & 4 could be bolted in as units some how like guys adding them to
the stock blocks.

Dodge,

It would take quite a bit of work to incorporate a bolt in system for the 2&4 bearings. They could be cast in, and machined out for clearance probably easier.

Tod,

If we could use this block at Bonneville, I would take two, no ports, no water jackets, no machining. And, I would add the girdle, just `cause I can.

Please post pics as you come along with this, I have been impressed with your progress, keep it up!

John

[Phil Brown]

Cast it as a 5 main block and if you only want 3 have the two extra mains cut out when there machining the block. Also that way if say only 75% of the main web has to come out for the clearance of the 3 main crank you still get the 25% left as added strength in the block

[Tod]

Originally Posted by johnneilson

Dodge,

It would take quite a bit of work to incorporate a bolt in system for the 2&4 bearings. They could be cast in, and machined out for clearance probably easier.

Tod,

If we could use this block at Bonneville, I would take two, no ports, no water jackets, no machining. And, I would add the girdle, just `cause I can.

Please post pics as you come along with this, I have been impressed with your progress, keep it up!

John

John,

Email me and we can talk about getting you set up if you can use them at Bonneville. No ports, no jacket, no problem.

Tod

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by johnneilson

Dodge,

It would take quite a bit of work to incorporate a bolt in system for the 2&4 bearings. They could be cast in, and machined out for clearance probably easier.

Tod,

If we could use this block at Bonneville, I would take two, no ports, no water jackets, no machining. And, I would add the girdle, just `cause I can.

Please post pics as you come along with this, I have been impressed with your progress, keep it up!

John

John, I'm pretty sure you cannot use this block at B-ville or otherwise you would see many racers using the Model-D block there already.


IMO, a simple aluminum block that can use a 3-main SCAT crankshaft with some pressure, a little more material around the ports, and a price point somewhere around or 10% above what the new cast iron blocks will be selling for would be most attractive for an enthusiast. Remember the Model-D block has a list price of almost $5k which makes it for the serious banger guy but out of reach for most enthusiasts.

[johnneilson]

Originally Posted by Tod

John,

Email me and we can talk about getting you set up if you can use them at Bonneville. No ports, no jacket, no problem.

Tod

Tod,

Unfortunately we cannot use aftermarket blocks, must be original production. In time this will change, crystal ball is cloudy right now.

In order to get around this, I have filled a block with aluminum.
I cannot move the bores around too much but this gets me closer to where I want to be.

IMHO, the percentage of 5 main usage will be low compared to the 3, unless someone starts making a serious production of them. Not to say it won't happen, it is a serious commitment.

John

[12secvx]

Depending on the price I would be in for one.

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by Phil Brown

Cast it as a 5 main block and if you only want 3 have the two extra mains cut out when there machining the block. Also that way if say only 75% of the main web has to come out for the clearance of the 3 main crank you still get the 25% left as added strength in the block

Hey Phil,
Exactly what I was thinking !
If a guy could acquire a five main crank..to his liking (think $, eh), then 5 mains capability would to there. If only 3 main crank to be had (full B drilled, as I have now), then when machined... eliminate what aint needed. Go Tod !

[Tod]

Originally Posted by 12secvx

Depending on the price I would be in for one.

I would be interested in hearing what people think is the right price.

Tod

[colin1928]

Originally Posted by Tod

I would be interested in hearing what people think is the right price.

Tod

Tod I would think as the machine work is mostly straight forward around 50% - 70% of what your Cleveland V8 blocks sell for

[steve hackel]

OK for me, add my name for a '3' main bearing B' block and lets see where things end up for demand, finished product (3 vs 5 mains) and price point out the door.

[waxhead]

Tod, will these aluminium blocks be a one off, or are you likely to make some in the future??