Interested in a new heavy duty Cleveland block in IRON?

I think if he was a real business man he would just do it an not tell everyone the $ involved. I think we all know between the Ford guys, mustang guys and general aftermarket there is more then enough interested parties .....providing the block is well machined! Many would be buyers would wrather wait and see if the blocks tend to be a good block or if problems arise.

Gary

What ever happened to the group that was planning on casting the aluminum Cleveland blocks?

He's not a business man, he's a mechanic trying to get somethng going, but before he starts asking questions or looking for an interested investor, he needs to know profit margin, which in turn will depend upon how many blocks will be ordered. and the ability to convince a bank to fund a loan for the project also requires a head count.

There is money to be made, but you can't assume the demand for the block is all that great just yet, just putting feelers out Gary. This is a grass roots sort of thing. No business man has shown interest in doing this.

Just asking for a head count

quote:

Originally posted by comp2:
What ever happened to the group that was planning on casting the aluminum Cleveland blocks?

SJ Performance in Australia. As far as I know, they last quoted a Spring 2006 introduction, I believe yesterday was the first day of Spring.

That block will be over $5000 to your door in the US.

He was talking about 125 as break even. Betwin this and a half dozen other forums I would say that would be easy. The other problem is I doubt many people could tell you they want one. The chain of events people go through often happen kind of fast. Hmm, I blew a ring. Ok guys? which engine? Windosr, dart, Cleveland, other...You right x is best but you know what? Today I just happen to buy a Winsor from a drag racing neighbor.

That's about how it goes for most people and it's hard to tell some one "Yes", I will need a block within the next year". That's just my opinion though.

I can tell him I want one.

Who is going to cast this block? Will it be overseen by some one reputable? Will it be through a "block manufacturer" such as dart? Will it be done in the states? In China?

George, about the aluminumblock, it will be sleeved correct? How do you think it will hold up overall?

Yes, iron sleeves. I have no idea about the "quality" of the block. If its done right it will be a good piece (good alloy, good heat treat). Nice thing about aluminum, its weld-able.

I don't understand why they selected aluminum & not iron, they could sell many more iron blocks, because the price is less expensive, becuase iron is more durable. Iron is a very good block material. When it comes to durability verses weight, I would choose the improved durability over a savings in weight of 100 pounds.

your friend on the DTBB

quote:

Originally posted by comp2:
Who is going to cast this block? Will it be overseen by some one reputable? Will it be through a "block manufacturer" such as dart? Will it be done in the states? In China?

The blocks would be cast by Motor Castings, they do all the FRPP, GMPP and Dart blocks; which are all cast of G35 iron, which is the same stuff the Cleveland block would be cast in.

quote:

Originally posted by george pence:
When it comes to durability verses weight, I would choose the improved durability over a savings in weight of 100 pounds.

your friend on the DTBB

Oh I don't know, in some situations 100lbs is big time weight!

quote:

Originally posted by comp2:
..Oh I don't know, in some situations 100lbs is big time weight!

When I got divorced, I shed over 130 pounds, that was good weight savings.

lol..........................

LOL

quote:

Originally posted by george pence:

quote:

Originally posted by comp2:
..Oh I don't know, in some situations 100lbs is big time weight!

When I got divorced, I shed over 130 pounds, that was good weight savings.

lol..........................

Good for you George, was that her weight, or your weight LOL, for the record I lost 65 lbs during my divorce 185 if you count her

I think I'd pass on the block, seems like a lot of $ for a starting point, what do you think a turn key package would run from air cleaner to oil pan?

Mark 6808

If a person wants to race their "Cleveland" equipped Pantera, they should have this block. If a person wants a 500 bhp or more Cleveland street motor, they should have this block. If a person wants to build a 427 cubic inch Cleveland for their Pantera, this block is what they've been waiting for.

You can do the same thing with a Windsor or a Clevor, but for 100% Cleveland, this will be the hot set up, better than the NASCAR block because the cylinder walls are thicker.

Price? depends upon what you want to build.

Used to have a sign in my garage:

"speed cost money, how fa$t do you want to go?"

How's this sound Mark, new block, 4.125" bores, 4" stroker crank, 427 cubic inches. Hydraulic roller cam, aluminum 4V heads from AFD or CHI, Holley Strip Dominator intake, Quality Roadsters fuel injection. Drives smooth like a factory car, power band 2000 to 6000 rpm, 500 ft/lbs, 550 bhp. A 427C!

The parts list above is probably $10,000. Now add labor and profit. Any motor built upon a heavy duty aftermarket block, rather than a production block, will be in the same price range.

Cheaper than I would have guessed, I may have to change my answer.

George, I posted this to the POCA email forum. I'll post replies as they come in. Mad Dawg is the guy who runs all the open road races. He's shooting for the 200 mph class!

Can you send me your email so I can send it to the Dawg. I'm at jjd1010@aol.com



Sounds great George....count me in!

Mad Dawg (Dennis Antennuci)

teampantera@yahoo.com

Well George, since this is a brand new block is he gonna fix that hing in between the cylinders that won't let a Cleveland turn 7500 RPM all day long?? Did he say he could fix that???

I'm in !

I lost 125lbs in the divorce and I personally lost 28lbs. But gained hal;f it back now !! LOL

R

You can probably use one of those skinny bill-fold wallets too.

If you would like me to stop at Motor Castings in West Allis, WI, I would be very happy to see
if I could get the information you would require. Get me a shopping list of questions and I will see what I can do.

I've been in the foundry industry for a long time and know alot of the people there.

John

That's a wonderful offer John, thanks so much. The gentleman taking the lead in this effort is named Joe, he moderates the other bulletin board where I spend time, the 351 Cleveland Forum.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/119419/

I don't want to do a quarterback sneak around Joe, he should be the one to coordinate everybody's effort. You can contact him at his e-mail:

megcrrn@netzero.com

Or if you prefer, I'll contact him and inform him you've offered to help. Let me know what you prefer.

At this point Joe has found a pattern maker, National Patterns, that has agreed to reverse engineer the molds for a heavy duty Cleveland block in wood & plastic for a quater million dollars. Wood & plastic molds are only good for one small production run.

Joe wants a head count of interested parties, to determine how many blocks would be produced, before he asks Motor Castings for a price per block figure. I differ with Joe there, I don't think you need a head count at this point, I would think an investor would want to produce as many blocks as the molds would allow. But this is Joe's project.

Once the price per block is known, and Joe determines how many blocks he wants cast, he can add the price of the blocks to the $250,000 National Patterns wants, divide that sum by $2500 (the retail price of the blocks) to determine the number of committed buyers an investor need to break even. A lending company woud also want to know that info.

Frankly, if the right people are involved, there's money to be made. I wish I had the money to become a partner in the venture.

your friend on the DTBB

quote:

I wish I had the money to become a partner in the venture.

Not to worry mi amigo. You and I are gonna be rich beyond our wildest dreams in about twenty years from now. Once we start making the ultimate performance engines on the planet, we can do whatever project we want next.

George,
Would you clear it with Joe?
You may know that Motor Castings pours all the blocks used in NASCAR Cup & Busch. They also pour a bunch of performance heads in iron and I'll be damned if I know where all of them go.

Are you sure that they are only made of Class 30 gray iron? Motor Castings does alot of higher tensile irons. The raw castings do not look like class 30 iron. Let me know want information you need.
John

John, Joe has your information.

thanks again for the offer to assist.

we'll see what happens, eh?

George,
Say the word and we'll get on it.
John

Hey George,I might be interested in one of those blocks.What time frame are we looking at?This block should be stronger than the Boss block and Nascar block ?Right?Where do I reply?

John,

No time frame yet. A moderator from the 351 Cleveland forum is beating the bushes, looking for an interested party. His name is Joe. His e-mail address is:

megcrrn@earthlink.net

Let Joe know you are a Pantera owner & heard about the block from me, express your interest. Yes, the block would be stronger than any Cleveland block to date.

I think the project is "do-able" once he finds the right people.

your friend on the DTBB, George