Genesis Iron Block Owners. Please Check In.

[FUNFER2]

{Update- I don't think I'll be 100% happy with a iron block. This magazine side oiler build from the start, is about the 60's version compared to the new aluminum 2010 side oiler. I've done so much work to this point, so I don't think I can "settle",.... for the iron.)

I guess Tim of Genesis, may not be making aluminum blocks at this time ?

What do you owners think of your Genesis iron blocks.
Any bad issues ?
What year is it ?
What CI ?
What bore & stroke ?
Type of cam ? (I'm thinking a mechanical roller)
Brand of lifters ? (If a roller)
ect.....

1st- I was set with a 482 CI. but, I can go up to a 527 CI.

What's your thoughts with the following ?

This will be a radical driver, not a dedicated track car.
Not abused but, smash the pedal and have fun.
Pump gas. (8 + mpg)
Don't mind lashing the valves, need being.
Performance, is of course the meaning of a Cobra, but sound is equally of importance.

2nd- Tell me about your Genesis. Don't be shy with the good & the ugly.

[undy]

One word... h-e-a-v-y, more so than an OEM iron block. Don't compromise now Kev, when the light at the end of the tunnel is now visible. Get a line of credit that mama doesn't know about,,

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

I guess Tim of Genesis, may not be making aluminum blocks at this time ?

I thought a alum. side oiler was going to reside in my cobra, but a engine builder said their not as plentiful now so, he suggested his iron block. He also said I may be happier with the latter for several reasons. This is not a debate of iron vs alum. so, I'll get on with it.

What do you owners think of your Genesis iron blocks.
Any bad issues ?
What year is it ?
What CI ?
What bore & stroke ?
Type of cam ? (I'm thinking a mechanical roller)
Brand of lifters ? (If a roller)
ect.....

1st- I was set with a 482 CI. but, I can go up to a 527 CI.

What's your thoughts with the following ?

This will be a radical driver, not a dedicated track car.
Not abused but, smash the pedal and have fun.
Pump gas. (8 + mpg)
Don't mind lashing the valves, need being.
Performance, is of course the meaning of a Cobra, but sound is equally of importance.

2nd- Tell me about your Genesis. Don't be shy with the good & the ugly.

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by undy

One word... h-e-a-v-y, more so than an OEM iron block. Don't compromise now Kev, when the light at the end of the tunnel is now visible. Get a line of credit that mama doesn't know about,,

At least making it a 527 would save a little weight.

[dlampe]

When we were deciding which way to go on my new project, my builder talked with quite a few builders that had issues with the cam journals not running parallel with the crank. I'm not sure if its true or not, just reporting what I heard. I went with Pond Aluminum and I am very happy.

[FUNFER2]

That's funny undy.
I guess I did not know there was a weight difference. How much more ?

[undy]

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

That's funny undy.
I guess I did not know there was a weight difference. How much more ?

Sorry Kev, can't help myself sometimes...

I believe there was a thread or two over on fordfe that said somewhere around 30lbs +/- heavier than an OEM iron. But it's a heck of a lot stronger too

[Gunner]

Originally Posted by DanEC

At least making it a 527 would save a little weight.

These huge-bore variations make me think of the old crack about motorcycle engines: "Bore it out one more time and you'll have a stack of washers!"

[FUNFER2]

Originally Posted by Gunner

These huge-bore variations make me think of the old crack about motorcycle engines: "Bore it out one more time and you'll have a stack of washers!"

lol

What bore size would turn your crank, with your next engine,...482 ?

[RodKnock]

First, I would check with the engine builders on this site about boring the Genesis block to 527. I haven't heard of a member here boring that big with a Genesis or Pond block. The only block that I've heard going that big is the big bore Shelby block.

Second, the Pond aluminum block will save you about 125 lbs over an OEM FE. The Shelby block will save you about 100 lbs over an OEM FE block. I believe I'm reasonably close on those figures, but double check me.

Third, while Barry R loves to use the Genesis block, from what I've read, many others have run into problems with them. On the other hand, "xl8or", Scott, used the Genesis block and seemed to have no problems at all.

Fourth, the Genesis block is about $1,000 less than the Pond block and about $1,600 less than the CSX block. So, upgrading to aluminum is not cheap, but then removing 100-125 +/- pounds and increasing the resale value of the car are two advantages of the aluminum block.

Fifth, an aluminum block makes it easier to spot leaks.

[silverline]

There is no need to bore a new block to the maximum. More than 4.31 can´t be done with an genesis or pond aluminum block I think.

With an aluminum block > go with 482 CUI (or 468 CUI if you prefer the shorter 4.125 stroke like me).

With an iron block > same as aluminum or 496 CUI (4.31 bore / 4.25 stroke).

Greetings from germany, Stefan

[Mooch]

get a Pond aluminum block:

http://robertpondmotorsports.com

[legenmetals]

Robert Pond is marketing Iron blocks as well as the aluminum.
At the end of the day its about all of the componets working together ie.bore and stroke,rod ratios(piston dwell at tdc and bdc,sidewall loadings),the ability of your cylinder head to work with the proper cam grind(flow numbers)blueprinting the engine,carburation.exhaust flow,ignition.All of these factors have to work in harmony with each other if not you may be spending money on parts that do little to increase power.The only substitute for cubic inches is more cubic inches but all the parts have to work together.Some engine builders have a formula that works for them and they stick to it but for me part of the fun of building an engine is doing all the research and analizing the methodology of the build.

[ng8264723]

I went with barry's recomendation and purchased and iron Genesis block. It ran well on the stand and the car is almost finished. It looks like it will be on the road in a few weeks. The registration may hold up cruising but that's another story.

[RodKnock]

Here's my point.

I'm not saying a 482 is better or worse than a 468, not to mention other "popular" FE builds such as a 496, 511 or a 527. What I am trying to say is that the difference is "rev-ability" is probably so small that a normal person (and for the purposes of this discussion let's say I'm normal, a stretch, I know), couldn't detect the difference.

I will also say that if you search on the FE Forum, more often than not, using an aftermarket block, the FE "gurus" go bigger, not smaller.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I will also say that if you search on the FE Forum, more often than not, using an aftermarket block, the FE "gurus" go bigger, not smaller.

That seems to be true. Silverline's build is very similar to mine. He didn't mention whether he was going to put an aluminum flywheel or not. It's just one school of thinking on what to put in these cars. Bigger is not always better, more is not always preferable. Rod's car is probably 10% lighter than mine and he has >10% more power than I have (and hydro v. solid, too) and I think we both run Yokos. I'd have to drive it to see what the real difference was in the ramp rate, etc. Who knows, these Yokos only hold so much anyway.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by patrickt

... he has >10% more power than I have ...

..try 24% more...

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

..try 24% more...

Uhh, Chas the sideways "v" means "greater than."

[ERA Chas]

I KNOW what it means but you should have used >20-or- >>10.

Nice BS try again..

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Rod's car is probably 10% lighter than mine and he has >10% more power than I have (and hydro v. solid, too) and I think we both run Yokos.

Chas, I was going to ignore it, but since you brought it up....

My car weighs 2,128 lbs. I'm willing to bet that Patrick's car is more than > 10% heavier than mine.

Patrick was right when he said that I run Yokos though.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Chas, I was going to ignore it, but since you brought it up....
My car weighs 2,128 lbs. I'm willing to bet that Patrick's car is more than > 10% heavier than mine.

Rod,
NEVER ignore a BS attempt when you see one...

My car is 2650 wet-his is at least that (I'm being charitable) with an extra bar, heavier wheels and tires and "tons of aluminum" as he blathers (missing the oxymoron).

At your weight your p/w ratio is 3.5-mine is 4.8. At 500 pounds less, that's like adding 100+ HP. With Nittos or M/T's you can easily run 10.3's all day.

You should do that Dude...