Amazing: even Pontiac has a new/old all-aluminum engine!

[machoneman]

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/ccrp_1202_aluminum_pontiac_block_all_alloy_indian/index.html

[ScotiaFE]

Interesting
"Aluminum rods are not normal fare for street engines, but Bill Miller contends that these rods will live as long as typical steel rods."
But then Bill says "If the engine is to be stored for any period of time (over winter, etc.) it is recommended to remove the rods, clean thoroughly in solvent, oil all parts and store with the bolts at least one turn loose."
So you have to disassemble the "STREET" engine each year or when ever you don't use the engine for an extended period of time.
Ya Right. What good is that.

http://www.bmeltd.com/rod_maint.htm
 

[cammerfe]

Many are familiar with Hank Bechtloff---'Hank the Crank'. I had an extended discussion with him several years ago regarding the use of aluminium rods in 'street' motors. He told me, among other things, that he was building engines for a fleet of tanker trucks hauling oil in the 'hilly' part of Texas. To get the necessary torque, he was stroking the 460 engines the trucks came with. He didn't go into why he was doing so, but these 'work-horse' engines were being equipped with aluminium rods. He said, "Just put 'em in and drive 'em."

Due in part to this conversation, the turbo'd, sprayed, methanol fueled Jag AJ27 engine going in my daily-driver/ECTA record holder Lincoln LS is equipped with GRP aluminium rods that are based on one of their Pro Stock designs. I may very well pull the engine at the end of the racing season and give the rods a good look, but I DO intend to "drive 'em".

KS

[machoneman]

BME has had that proviso on their website for some time. I do think, considering how most BME rods are used in nitro & alky racers, the advice is more for the pro racer crowd. All professional drag racers, when using nitro but especially alky, are pretty anal about cleaning out the fuel from the system and oil tanks, sumps, etc. as well since severe corrosion and etching can occur in fuel lines, tanks, etc. I don't know of anyone with a gasoline powered vehicle, street or pure race car, who ever took the rods out as noted even when tucked away for the winter season.  

Interesting
"Aluminum rods are not normal fare for street engines, but Bill Miller contends that these rods will live as long as typical steel rods."
But then Bill says "If the engine is to be stored for any period of time (over winter, etc.) it is recommended to remove the rods, clean thoroughly in solvent, oil all parts and store with the bolts at least one turn loose."
So you have to disassemble the "STREET" engine each year or when ever you don't use the engine for an extended period of time.
Ya Right. What good is that.

http://www.bmeltd.com/rod_maint.htm
 

[Hemi Joel]

My Duesenberg had aluminum rods installed at the factory in 1929. 83 years later, they are still in service. And no, I don't take them out each winter.

[machoneman]

Wow a Dusie owner!

Remember seeing a real Auburn boat-tailed speedster in I'll guess 1965-1966 here in Chicago when I and a pal visited a hobby shop in Oak Park, IL. We never met the car owner but the shop owner said he was down the street at a cafe. Methinks it also had aluminum engine parts but the thing I remember is those cool SS ribbed exhaust pipes emanating from the hood and blending into the front fender.

Btw, that same pal, Richie Cielec and I biked over to Litsinger Ford in 1965 or 1966 (Northeast side of Chicago) to see both the Shelby AC Cobra and the GT-40 (early SBF version) on display in the showroom. Funny that at even at that early age, we knew more about the background of the vehicles than the sales rep who eventually chased us out!

[jayb]

Sadly, Joel was forced to sell his Auburn Boattail Speedster so that he could afford to buy his Duesenberg 

[Hemi Joel]

Sadly, Joel was forced to sell his Auburn Boattail Speedster so that he could afford to buy his Duesenberg  

Ahhh, the Auburn... a 1933 Salon Speedster. That was hard to part with, it is such a beauty!

[jayb]

That is a beautiful car, all right.  But it needs an FE 

[ScotiaFE]

That must be some Duesy to swap out the Speedster for. All pun intended. 

Do the BME's fit in a say Genesis with a 4 1/4" stroke and a BME 6.700" rod?
Has anyone done this build? Pistons? Rod to cam clearance?
Now I'm just dreaming.