What's the appeal of an aluminum engine block?

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Dimis

I hear this arguement a lot with bikes. But the truth is even a fatties are entitled to the perceived performance benefits of lighter carbon bikes.
They might not be faster than ,"slim fit Jim", but they still feel the difference.

No, these bicyclists must start with heavier bikes, because if weight reduction and building muscle are their goals, then they need push heavier weight bikes to increase musculature and lose fat. The lightweight bikes should be reserved for those that have already attained a body fat % in the athletic range.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Yes, sadly I do realize that. And, yes, we can get you a veggie burger if you really want one.

None of those crappy Costco types. I want fancy veggie burger with quinoa, mushrooms, black beans, beets, lentils, etc. Too much red meat is bad for you. Some fresh fish would be great also, but hopefully not caught on the East Coast.

[rodneym]

I'm all aluminum with my FE and I thought I had a rear main leak on top of an oil pan leak.
Then I got the Kirkham billet pan.
Haven't seen a drop of oil on the floor in almost 1,000 miles. And yes, Pat, there's oil in the engine
And while I'm not a race car driver, it does gets exercised enough to embarrass every one of the haughty cars that have wanted to play. Granted, the lines were always "somewhat" straight

[rodneym]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

None of those crappy Costco types. I want fancy veggie burger with quinoa, mushrooms, black beans, beets, lentils, etc. Too much red meat is bad for you. Some fresh fish would be great also, but hopefully not caught on the East Coast.

Sounds like Soylent Green to me.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by rodneym

Sounds like Soylent Green to me.

More like Simple Green.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by rodneym

Sounds like Soylent Green to me.

More like reduced risk of disease and cancer and less environmentally harmful to Earth.

But nothing wrong with small portion of red meat every once in a while.

[rodneym]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

More like reduced risk of disease and cancer and less environmentally harmful to Earth.

How is that mitigated risk congruent with a Cobra?
I mean, a Cobra that's driven

If I'm cutting off the last 10-15 years of old age due to cigarettes, cigars, scotch, red meat, etc, well........

[RodKnock]

It seems like we talk about block weight a couple times a year here.

For the record:

OEM 427 side oiler block = 195 lbs

Pond alloy block = 135 lbs

Shelby alloy block = 125 lbs
(Shelby 427 FE Bare Block | Call Us @ 707-836-1534 | Carroll Shelby Engine Company)

10 lbs is 10 lbs.

And the cast iron BBM block is 250 lbs.

So, now the difference between a Shelby alloy block and the BBM cast iron block is 125 lbs. Of course, if they actually do make them and you can get one sometime before the sun burns out or does a supernova.

BBM Cast Iron FE Engine Block (FE427 Side Oiler) | Bear Block Motors

[rodneym]

I have the sneaking suspicion that Denbeste doesn't have this problem getting ally blocks (if we're talking Shelby blocks).
Anyone know different?

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by rodneym

How is that mitigated risk congruent with a Cobra?
I mean, a Cobra that's driven

If I'm cutting off the last 10-15 years of old age due to cigarettes, cigars, scotch, red meat, etc, well........

Well, it's congruent because Brent is not taking any more orders for engine builds with alloy blocks. He's mitigating his business risk. I'm tangentially mentioning mitigating health risks by eating less red meat. You must see the connection.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by fordracing65

Bling. The 150lbs weight savings is a big deal. Go to a gym. Take 3 45lbs plates and a 25lbs plate and strap it to the front of the car and tell me you can't tell the difference.

Just so Brent knows, the weight savings is about this much.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Just so Brent knows, the weight savings is about this much.

Hey, wait a minute, is that guy Carlos Danger?

[blykins]

Last "rumor" I heard was that Shelby was ditching their US foundry and went off-shore.

To my knowledge, nobody has had Shelby blocks, unless they had a stock pile saved up.

I've been cranking out 445's and 462's like nobody's business.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by blykins

Last "rumor" I heard was that Shelby was ditching their US foundry and went off-shore.

To my knowledge, nobody has had Shelby blocks, unless they had a stock pile saved up.

I've been cranking out 445's and 462's like nobody's business.

Well, my American-made Shelby block just went up in value.

The next engine that I'm building for my Kirkham is a 526ci, unless you can go bigger. Go big or go home, I always say.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Hey, wait a minute, is that guy Carlos Danger?

East Coast elitist humor. Most people that own Cobras just aren't that bright.

[Antny]

The power-to-weight ratio is a big feature of our cars. So yeah, saving weight is probably why people opt for alu blocks.

[RodKnock]

There seems to be a shortage of new FE blocks from everyone that offers one. I feel sorry for those folks that are in the process of building an engine for their Cobras and other FE related cars.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

There seems to be a shortage of new FE blocks from everyone that offers one. I feel sorry for those folks that are in the process of building an engine for their Cobras and other FE related cars.

Just do what I did. Buy a high-quality, original 428 iron block with the extra webbing and then just tell everyone it's a 427. That's worked for me for over a decade now.

[blykins]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Well, my American-made Shelby block just went up in value.

The next engine that I'm building for my Kirkham is a 526ci, unless you can go bigger. Go big or go home, I always say.

Yep, you can go bigger....custom crank.

[blykins]

Power to weight ratio....

2400 lbs vs 600 hp - 4 lbs / hp

2300 lbs vs 600 hp - 3.83 lbs / hp.

You'd never know the difference.