Reply to "Aluminum block oil temp"

Joules, I have some engineering backround to me as well and I would say according to the thermal dynamics the aluminum won't store the energy like the iron does. Yes I agree.

I personslly hsve learned by living in NY one doesn't really want to run an aluminum intake manifold in the winter. Iron is the way to go.
The carbs seem to frezze almost solid. The iron holds the heat better of course.

If all things were equal on the block, i.e., it was pure aluminum the difference would be more noticiable.

General Motors in fact tried that combination in at least one production vehicle that I am aware of, the Vega.

Functionally it proved to be a poor combination leading to premature cylinder wear.

Aluminum blocks that are used for "performance" applications in US V8's are used for weight savings. About 100 pounds.

They have nice thick cast iron cylinder sleeves pressed into them.

I don't think that I ever heard of heat conductance as the reason to use an aluminum block.

The discussion I had with Gary Hall was over which of his radiators to use. I thought the aluminum unit would be the way to go in the Pantera.

Gary said no way. The Phoenix unit was. He said only use the aluminum radiator to save weight for racing.

I stated the same story to him that you just did and he said something to the effect of "I guess that pigs can fly then".

He had both units to sell to me so it wasn't a buy my radiator, it's better. I asked him for his advice and he gave it to me.

It isn't my quote that says "you can lead a horse to water, but that doesn't make him a duck" but I guess the point is, what does logic have to do with this anyway?

Better yet, why go by what I say? Inquire with the block manufacturer and see what they say about the engine running cooler. I would be interested to hear that also.

I think that there must be more then a couple of people here running the Fontana aluminum Cleveland block? What say you guys?