[Bob Rutledge]

Mmmmmmmmm, burning rubber

[Lloyd-TX]

Well said, Dave!

[Ron]

You bet I'm excited about Norwalk. If it were to be held tomorrow it would not be soon enough for me. Heck I just raced on Saturday and already miss the smell of race gas and burning rubber!!!

[Lloyd-TX]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Rob:
Sounds like JBP has a plan. Didn't mean to hammer you so hard on the alloy deal.

I'm looking forward to seeing all these new Pontiac parts available.

-Rob <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Rob, I didn't take it as a "hammering" anyway, LOL!

I'm with you on all the new pieces coming out as well!

Has anyone ever heard of "compacted graphite cast iron"? Just curious if this is something new and great, or marketing hype!

[Bud Lyons]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> We are doing what you asked us to do, Do it right or don't do it at all. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Thank you.

[al]

Great I can see it now. The great new block debate/battle.

[Tom Vaught]

Can someone explain to me what their defination of a
"Seasoned" block is?

My thought initially is that you are saying that the stresses in the block have been removed over time by
mileage from vibratory and thermal changes.

There are companies out there that marty and I were aware of that offered vibratory stress relieving.
Is this what you are suggesting that Jim is doing?

By the way, There has been speculation that the Butler aluminum blocks were cast overseas. Gale Banks
told me a few weeks ago when I had lunch with his that he heard a Pontiac block was being cast up in Indianapolis, IN at the same place the new 427 F.E.
iron blocks are being cast at. He mentioned a name
but I see a different name mentioned in the July 2004
magazine for the F.E. Engines.
Genesis Performance Castings (317) 357-8767

[Robert C.]

Yes we are plugging the out board holes. The casting holes have to be where they are now. We are no longer drilling them for the gaskets, because the bigger bores sizes make the gasket water holes to close to the bores. So until we have a gasket to fit the best head out there we are plugging holes or not drilling any. It is easier for you to drill then plug.

Now the upper holes that are cast are placed in a good location. We are not drill the three 5/16 water holes. You will have to drill them too. They will be a breeze to plug if needed. Again the head that is use will determine where to drill. We did this because the big horse power users ask us to do this. It saves a lot of their time and money if we did it.

Freeze plugs are now threaded holes. We are supplying them with the blocks. We added about 1/16 to each side of the main webs to completely cover the steel main caps. This adds even more strength to the main area.

About the metal: We are using the highest grade of Cast Iron that has the best strength and cylinder to ring sealing capabilities. To hard of casting material will cause early ring ware. There is a fine balance as to what you can use.

Inspection of the production blocks is running longer because we had to get special electric NDT (None Destructive Testing) equipment made to check the wall thickness. Because of the high grade of casting material that we use, a 5MHz (Megahertz) transducer will not measure the right thickness. We will not send out blocks until we are sure that we have the best block that can be made period. We are doing what you asked us to do, Do it right or don't do it at all.

Bob C. / Frank G.

AllPontiac.com

[Ray Cox]

SOUNDS GREAT TO ME LIKE I SAID LOOK OUT MUSI AND PRO STREET HERE WE COME !!!!

[David Holmberg]

I thought a Seasoned block was something that Bill Jenkins came up with as a marketing tool when he didn't have any new blocks to sell...



These people give me a friggin headache. One of them could be dying of thirst and you offer them a glass of water, and they'll want to know if it's spring water or not...

[Paul Spotts]

pictured next is the large bore head gasket in place. This particular block had the coolant holes repaired, not an issue with the production run.

so far - so good

block was sonic tested and bores have plenty of meat with 4.350 bore. there was core shift, though and allpontiac is addressing that issue as well. Keep in mind this block is a prototype and all minor issues are being addressed. Of the 3 blocks being tested, all info is being compaired and addressed - pretty impressive - gotta love what these guys are doing to get a quality product out there.

[Brian Baker]

Wish I could say more, but I can't, I more or less made a promise.

I will say this, however:

If there are any aluminum blocks available from Butler in the future, I'll be surprised.

If there are any iron blocks available from Butler, without "assistance" from a competitor, I'll be amazed.

[Tom Vaught]

Wade,

I read that SOME of the holes were not drilled but not all of them so some plugging of the deck would STILL be required.

Do you agree or did I read that wrong?

Karen, I really like your new hair style!

Kenny looks like he is chubbing up on your good food cooking. Starting to look like me! LOL!

Tom V.

[Brian Baker]

LOL! No, nothing like that, Dave.

As for your second paragraph, yes, there has been and always seems there will be "armchair quarterbacks" that piss and moan about product, when in reality they themselves will never be in the market for it.

As for Ron, well... ...let's just say he's so excited with anticipation over going to Norwalk this year that it's clouding his mind a bit.

[Ray Cox]

one thing is for sure we are lucky to have a block and Im glad all pontiac is trying to improve it BUT EVEN IF THEY DONT IMPROVE IT I would gladly use it just the way it is and if Butlers and KRE come out with one also, then we are all the more lucky that we finally have the parts so now we need to learn to make them work and kick some chevy butt!

[Maximum Race Engines]

Point well made Ray. There are alot of critics in the hobby. What the hobby needs is more support. Hopefully, with a few ideas in the works, we will see some more items to choose from in the near future. Can't go into too much about it right now, but it should be good.

Joe Pontiac
Maximum Race Engines
www.maximumraceengines.com
[email protected]

[Ron]

Prepare yourself for amazement Brian!