Nice block shots. Hard to appreciate these 59/60 blocks until you hands on compare to a later 389/400 or 455.(late 400's are a joke) Reinforced pan rail and amount of bulk in the bulkheads is big areas of difference. Not to mention thinwall casting techniques hadnt been utilized yet. Any idea what you have for wall thickness? My 59 can safely go to 4.25+ bore.
SD455 and RA5 blocks were based off these 59/60 castings with few changes. Bell pattern and Cam tunnel primarily. Decks are pretty thick too. More strength than Fords 460 for sure(believe it or not the big Ford and the Pontiac have a bunch of similarities in good structure engineering ). With 3.75 to 4" stroke this block will live long and should handle 1000 hp+ turbocharged using modest 6000 rpm or so ceiling. Flat tappet cam prefered over stressing lifter bores with side loads from rollers. No lifter bore brace need for flat tappet due to how they work. Hi ratio rockers can get to near valve motion of rollers with the right lobes. Actually Solids can equal or better a roller from seat to .050.(SBF 7/16 stud 1.72[Scorpion] and 1.8[Crower] rockers can be fit with right valve/pushrod length) Despite needing a bell adapter these are THE production block to use if your going to push a production block. Even stock 2 bolt caps are very beefy compared to later blocks. Good stuff!
Did you know the 60 blocks got special attention to the water holes on the deck? The "new" non reverse cool system had them a bit concerned. Take a look at size shape of front holes compared to rear then compare to later castings like a 400. They were looking to balance the system as best as possible. Hole for "421 mod" was there on my 59 probably your old 370's too. Dont know when they exactly changed that.
Glad your seeing progress Mark. I'm in crawl mode at the moment.
|