What's the appeal of an aluminum engine block?

[blykins]

Ok, pot-stirrer....

I didn't say it can't be argued. I said it didn't need to be argued here because that's not what the thread is about.

I'm also not speaking for all engine builders, as I have not talked to every single engine builder in the greater US, but I would take it as a general consensus.

What do you think Shelby's ad is going to say? "Our block squirms around at high horsepower...."

I'm also not on Club Cobra to specifically meet your needs.

[patrickt]

Personally, I think Brent has posted compelling evidence that iron blocks are superior to aluminum ones.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Personally, I think Brent has posted compelling evidence that iron blocks are superior to aluminum ones.

Really? As a lawyer, an Internet post is "compelling evidence"? Again, OMG. I'll never hire you.

Maybe, if I had a dispute over a neighbor's tree or something, but no serious legal matters.

[patrickt]

Yep, I think you've lost. Even if you had the popular vote, you still lost.

[blykins]

Unsubscribing.....

[moore_rb]

Originally Posted by blykins

Unsubscribing.....

Nice... Look what you guys have done- you've chased off the thread's original poster....

Me too- I'm unsubscribing. This is the first engine related thread where Brent Lykins and I agree 100%, so I'm pulling my chips off the table, and hitting the Cashier's window on my way out of the casino.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone...

[ERANJ]

I think RodKnock has made many global statements...if you don't agree with my position you're wrong or submit until you see it my way.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by ERANJ

I think RodKnock has made many global statements...if you don't agree with my position you're wrong or submit until you see it my way.

All I'm asking for is to see evidence of the HP difference. We all know the weight difference between a cast iron and alloy block. That's 125 lbs.

And all this discussion over 15-30 HP or "dozens of HP."

And from what Brent and others have said, aluminum shifts around, expands, squirms or whatever, which means that it leaks more? Alloy engines are rebuilt more often? They lose compression because of expansion? How much compression? Does an alloy block engine lose .1 pt, .2 pt, .3 pt, etc. of compression?

Pond and Shelby have been selling blocks for at least 10 years. How many consumers have posted here and complained about their alloy block? Certainly the 8 (or more) alloy block purchasers that have posted here on this thread have not complained about loss of power, lack of reliability and/or quality. Any alloy block consumers feel their alloy blocks are fickle? Seriously, I'm always interested in consumer feedback about various products. I subscribe to Consumer Reports.

[Jac Mac]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

And from what Brent and others have said, aluminum shifts around, expands, squirms or whatever, which means that it leaks more? Alloy engines are rebuilt more often? They lose compression because of expansion? How much compression? Does an alloy block engine lose .1 pt, .2 pt, .3 pt, etc. of compression?

BBM website.. Alloy block comes with nominal block height of 10.153", Iron 10.170", so Alloy block growth is ~0.017". With factory 1.73" rocker ratio that will cause an increase in valve lash of ~0.029". Thats the block alone without any further increase from alloy heads etc, obviously a problem for any solid cam with recommended hot lash of ~0.022" and would require block heater or similar to start up.

Iron 427 with 11/1 comp ratio will drop to ~10.6/1 in alloy block with same specs, so ~.4 drop in compression.

Brent would be better to simply add a hefty premium to every alloy block build and not waste his time trying to explain cause and effect to those clients.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Jac Mac

Brent would be better to simply add a hefty premium to every alloy block build and not waste his time trying to explain cause and effect to those clients.[/b]

Uhhhh, that's what I said in my first reply way back on page one of this thread.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Uhhhh, that's what I said in my first reply way back on page one of this thread.

Yes, but Brent answered:

Originally Posted by blykins

Yeah, in a perfect world, that's how it is.

However, there are certain things called warranties. IMO, the customer should not have to incur damages because of a manufacturing defect either....flat tappet camshaft, aluminum block, bad crank, etc.

I like how you think though....

Also can't just raise my prices to cover things that "might" happen. I would price myself out of every engine build if I had to do that.

[Three Peaks]

And the silly season is upon us...... no, wait, the election is over..... I guess we haven't gotten it out of our systems yet.

Carry on, or whatever it is that this thread has become.......

[fordracing65]

Most of the new Cammers I see being built are aluminum blocks. There are like 7 for sale on eBay. Just by Brent and Barry alone I will take them for what their word is and they both agree iron is superior when it comes to FE blocks. I don't have to hear it from anyone else. I take their words as gospel when it comes to FE engines.

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by fordracing65

Most of the new Cammers I see being built are aluminum blocks. There are like 7 for sale on eBay. Just by Brent and Barry alone I will take them for what their word is and they both agree iron is superior when it comes to FE blocks. I don't have to hear it from anyone else. I take their words as gospel when it comes to FE engines.

New aluminum Cammers??? From what I recall even RodKnock thinks they are not worth the risk of building. I think at least one of those convinced Keith Craft that it was time to retire.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by 1ntCobra

New aluminum Cammers??? From what I recall even RodKnock thinks they are not worth the risk of building. I think at least one of those convinced Keith Craft that it was time to retire.

I'd love to own any Cammer. But, yes, those engines are far more complex than your standard FE.

[fordracing65]

I feel 2017 will be the year of aluminum blocks.

[ERANJ]

Could not agree more your car is stunning.

[cobra]

Since 2003 I have mounted a Shelby aluminum engineblock # 299 and drove about 7000 street miles without problems.
Perhaps it is also because who builds the engine. Mine was built by George Anderson (Gessford), who really knows what he is doing and delivers a super quality.
At that time I wanted an aluminum engine because it is lighter and more modern. Casting blocks in Europe also have a somewhat antiquated reputation since no one can imagine a Ferrari, Lamborghini, etc. with a gray cast iron block.
Maybe you can get more power from a cast block than from an aluminum, but I still eat a steak rather than a piece of Toffu even if it makes me healthier.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by cobra

Since 2003 I have mounted a Shelby aluminum engineblock # 299 and drove about 7000 street miles without problems.
Perhaps it is also because who builds the engine. Mine was built by George Anderson (Gessford), who really knows what he is doing and delivers a super quality.
At that time I wanted an aluminum engine because it is lighter and more modern. Casting blocks in Europe also have a somewhat antiquated reputation since no one can imagine a Ferrari, Lamborghini, etc. with a gray cast iron block.
Maybe you can get more power from a cast block than from an aluminum, but I still eat a steak rather than a piece of Toffu even if it makes me healthier.

I have Shelby block #931, so #299 is really "vintage." I think Bernica's Shelby # is in the 100's. As said previously, these alloy blocks now have a lot of miles and I haven't heard many if any complaints.

[fordracing65]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I have Shelby block #931, so #299 is really "vintage." I think Bernica's Shelby # is in the 100's. As said previously, these alloy blocks now have a lot of miles and I haven't heard many if any complaints.

No complaints from the customer. Just the builders.