aftermarket blocks?

[fe66comet]

I know the Genisis block is no long, where is the Sideoiler Garage Iron Block made? There was talk a while back about a Chinese block, is this the one? Does pond or Shelby make an aftermarket cast iron? I am planning another build and thinking of using a FE for the next project. I have a 385 series block but it is harder to get parts and way more expensive to build.

[fe66comet]

Hmm I see the Pond Iron block can be built to 600 cubes, that is the same as the eliminator block I have but with a shorter stroke, the 385 requires 4.5 to get there the Pond settles in at 4.40. That would make for a faster revving engine at the same displacement. Interesting, I might have a prepped block for sale LOL.

[Barry_R]

Sideoiler Garage blocks are cast in Indianapolis, Indiana  and machined in Fowlerville, Michigan.

Pond blocks are cast in the great lakes region as well.

Reaching 600 inches is a nigh unto impossible with any wedge, and only theoretically possible in a Cammer - requiring an enormous amount of machining creativity and time investment for a greatly diminishing amount of return.

[fe66comet]

?

[blykins]

Basic head at $2200 each?  What in the world are you looking at man?  You can buy a set of Kaase Boss 9 heads cheaper than that, and they flow over 400 cfm out of the box. 

[fe66comet]

Once you add up tripple springs, TI retainers valves at 129 bucks each it isn't exactly cheap to build a monster Chevy yeah Ford no. But A Hemi is not cheap either, with a good set of heads. A small block aluminum  Ford Dart Pro 1 head will rum 1800 each with a good set of valves and springs.

[blykins]

I made 740 hp @ 6000 rpm with a 529 inch Boss 9 on Jon Kaase's dyno in Georgia, using a small hydraulic roller, and non-exotic parts.  When the cubes are there and the heads flow over 400 cfm, it's easy to make hp. 

You need to look at a Kaase P-51 head or a TFS head.  Titanium valves are not needed....

[fe66comet]

I was looking at the Edelbrock RPM and was going to go to 580 cubes with a solid roller. I am going to race the car so it will be a little more effort than that. My block is 4.5 max so the meat is there. I just need the potatoes and gravy.

[blykins]

Edelbrock heads for the 385 series are not high performance heads...

[fe66comet]

I would get the CJ bare then rework, no head out of the box is really high performance  when it comes to a big block Ford. They are just a casting needing everything. I was planning on Manley  Stellight valves in stainless, tripple springs, TI locks and retainers. Cromo locators and full race port and polish.

[blykins]

Cool man, good luck.

[Joe-JDC]

I tried to stay out of this fray, but on that last statement, I must speak.  The Motorsport 429/460 heads with full port and polish, will not reach 400 cfm on the intake without 2.350 valves, and the exhaust will need to be welded up on the floor at exit to get anywhere close to 70% flow of the intake port.  Most fully ported Motorsports CJ heads flow in the 370-380cfm range at most.  It takes a LOT of work to get more on those heads.   The cost factor is not a lot different than TFS when you get through.   If you want better heads, then the A-460/TFS style head is much better, and can flow 450+cfm with just a little work.  BTDT years ago for a lot of racers around the USA.  Kaase, A-460, BT are lots better than Motorsports, or any of the iron Ford heads.   This is a FE based forum.  Joe-JDC

[fe66comet]

True statement Joe I was asked and actually I was initially taking about the potential of the aftermarket. FE blocks. The iron block on the pond site they stated a capacity of 600 cubic inches on the iron Siamese bore block. I would rather go that route than ( another ) Ford  based block and was simply comparing weight. I personally would not use an iron head on any serious build as it limits compression and I did enough porting of iron heads back in the eighties to last me two lifetimes LOL. I am sure Barry has already covered this ground and I trust his judgment on this.

[blykins]

Go back and read....

The 600 inch block is supposedly for his compacted graphite block, which hasn't been made yet.

I've used the cast iron block, have another one here, and yet another one on the way for a cammer build.  It will support about 530 inches with an off the shelf crankshaft. 

[fe66comet]

Graphite yuck plastic, I hate plastic. I know composite is supposed to be better but after 10 years or so a glock pistol is garbage. I guess if you are going to run the engine for one season filled with epoxy it might be ok but not for me.