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Tod Buttermore 351C Aluminum Block
Where are we at with this guys?
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Tod supplied two aluminum blocks to engine builders. Neither of the engine builders have been publicly forthcoming with information about the builds. One engine builder gave Tod the impression there were no issues with the block. Tod had a couple of blocks cast in iron recently, but the castings had problems, the blocks were unusable. Each casting costs him about $1000 out of the pocket, so the unusable blocks were $2000 down the drain.
Tod continues to have problems finding foundries he's willing to work with that will make room for his work. Casting two blocks at a time is not how a foundry stays in business, especially in this economy. But Tod can't afford to cast blocks in large quantities until he's sure all the bugs have been worked out. So the project progresses slowly. He will adjust his molds or the mold assembly procedure so the next iron blocks will not have the issues the last two had.
I've been with Tod behind the scenes from the projects inception. Welcome to the entrepreneurial world of small business. Tod is a gifted mold maker. He has a tremendous amount of personal time and money invested in the project. I believe the project will eventually succeed. He is also a man of character, and has been refunding his initial investors who are tired of waiting.
I update the original thread in the community news forum as there is news worth reporting. Keep an eye out for updates.
-G
Tod continues to have problems finding foundries he's willing to work with that will make room for his work. Casting two blocks at a time is not how a foundry stays in business, especially in this economy. But Tod can't afford to cast blocks in large quantities until he's sure all the bugs have been worked out. So the project progresses slowly. He will adjust his molds or the mold assembly procedure so the next iron blocks will not have the issues the last two had.
I've been with Tod behind the scenes from the projects inception. Welcome to the entrepreneurial world of small business. Tod is a gifted mold maker. He has a tremendous amount of personal time and money invested in the project. I believe the project will eventually succeed. He is also a man of character, and has been refunding his initial investors who are tired of waiting.
I update the original thread in the community news forum as there is news worth reporting. Keep an eye out for updates.
-G
Thank you.