[455firebird1969]

These things are light. We were moving a spare 400 block that came with the 1974 Firebird I bought for my 15 yo kid. He was helping as we moved it with a dolly. After we had it lined up with some other spare blocks I have, I said watch this as I lifted the covered IA-IIA block by myself and put it down a foot closer to the other blocks. I lifted it and moved it several times until I had it neatly lined up with the other spare blocks. His jaw dropped and he said "How did you do that". I explained it was a special aluminum racing block that would be used as our secret weapon one day.

[Elarson]

Originally Posted by BruceWilkie

Any changes to oiling scheme?

No. We have our system worked out to where the bearings live. The key is the additional front feed.

To keep the costs reasonable, we had to stick with their normal CNC programming. All of the beef improvements were casting changes. The foundry that they work with was more than willing to stretch the envelope.

Eric

[Tom McQueen]

Very Nice!

I should have mine in a couple weeks.

[RUDOLFSSON]

Looking good!

[mgarblik]

I put the solid aluminum block on a digital bathroom scale today. Should be fairly accurate. The block with caps, studs and nuts weighed 148.2 Lbs. I had a 1965 389 laying around the shop, no main caps or bolts. For reference, it weighed 165 lbs. I do not know what a water jacket IA II in aluminum or iron weighs. If you know post it up.

[Anderson Port Development]

Originally Posted by mgarblik

I put the solid aluminum block on a digital bathroom scale today. Should be fairly accurate. The block with caps, studs and nuts weighed 148.2 Lbs. I had a 1965 389 laying around the shop, no main caps or bolts. For reference, it weighed 165 lbs. I do not know what a water jacket IA II in aluminum or iron weighs. If you know post it up.

... what are the deck height limitations of this block ?? ...

[J.C.you]

Originally Posted by Elarson

This particular one is destined for the Boss Bird. It will save weight and have replaceable sleeves so we can fix cylinders at the track if needed.

Look closely at the pictures....what's different (compared to other aluminum AP blocks)? Hint: it will be much stronger.


Eric

one could run that thing vega style without sleeves with V heads.

[gata79]

Mine with water jackets is 147 lbs. If my scale is correct.

[455firebird1969]

I'm at #148 with five main caps & hardware. I'll drag out a OEM 455 next.

[mgarblik]

I should have mentioned our block does not have sleeves yet, probably adding 10 or so lbs. As far as deck height, I have not had a chance to measure it yet. I assume it will be in the 10.230 range. Frank or Bob could speak to the short/tall deck possibilities. Without water, it would seem deck height changes would be much less trouble as far as the core box, but I am not a foundry expert by any stretch. Give them a call.

[Tom Vaught]

I will bet a bit of money that when you measure it you will find the block deck height is 10.300" vs 10.230" range. Want to bet?

Tom V.

[455firebird1969]

1971 455 2 bolt main OEM block, #186.

[455firebird1969]

I'm using an old bathroom scale that is fairly accurate. It's not digital nor is my shop floor true. I expected the OEM 455 to be heavier, but my scale read #186. I'm done moving heavy **** for the night!

[J.C.you]

Originally Posted by mgarblik

I should have mentioned our block does not have sleeves yet, probably adding 10 or so lbs. As far as deck height, I have not had a chance to measure it yet. I assume it will be in the 10.230 range. Frank or Bob could speak to the short/tall deck possibilities. Without water, it would seem deck height changes would be much less trouble as far as the core box, but I am not a foundry expert by any stretch. Give them a call.

what would it cost to nitride the aluminum cyl walls.....anyone ever checked?

[mgarblik]

We needed the aluminum block specifically to make it easy to service/replace sleeves at the race track. Having a "cool bore" type aluminum block was never in the thought process. I know to run directly on aluminum like a Vega, some Honda's, and some Mercedes, the block is cast from a specific high silicon aluminum alloy. Then the the bore surface is etched to remove the aluminum from the surface and expose the silicon for the rings to run on. Some of the coating experts can possibly chime in on the possibility of surface treating the bores.
For our nitro application, cylinder damage IS going to happen. Saving the block and getting it back in service fast was a major driver in our change to this block. The additional benefits are better cooling, elongation without cracking, thicker cross-sections throughout.

[J.C.you]

Didn't mean to get on another pig tail, ...yep sleeveless would be a no-no in your application, just thought I would pick some minds....

[Tom McQueen]

Originally Posted by Tom Vaught

I will bet a bit of money that when you measure it you will find the block deck height is 10.300" vs 10.230" range. Want to bet?

Tom V.

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I think they advertise 10.240". I will measure mine when I get it.

[Tom Vaught]

Originally Posted by Tom McQueen

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think they advertise 10.240". I will measure mine when I get it.

But this is a "SPECIAL BLOCK" Tom designed for special features.

You will probably have to machine your block some to get to the 10.240" deck height number. Those 4 Blocks have the "Palbykin Mod" capability built into them.

Tom V.

[mgarblik]

Tom, I will install the precision bar and get accurate 4-corner deck heigh measurements on Monday. Have to get the car ready for a race this weekend. If you don't mind sharing the secret, what is this mysterious modification you are referring to? I don't want to mill off some modification that may possibly benefit our engine build. Thanks.

[Tom Vaught]

PM to you.

Tom V.