[PAUL K]

Originally Posted by mgarblik

Our on track experience:

3 Stock block Pontiac 455's 1971-1973 vintage
5 billet straight caps. 1.5-2 seasons for each block @ 1100-1300 HP All three blocks broke in the same place up through the #2 main bearing oil feed from the cam bore to the main housing bore.

Which crank (pretty sure you've stated previously Pontiac cast) and rods did you guys use?

What kind of RPM did you turn?

[Mark G]

The facts are more Ia2 blocks failed than MR1 blocks in fact I never heard or seen of any MR1 blocks failing after KRE fixed the casting problem.... ..Just the facts IMO If any MR1 have failed post it.

[GTO JONES]

So far so good, my MR1 is great, 571 cu jn, 4.75 Ohio crank, Eagle rods, Ross pistons, pump gas friendly over 3 years now.

[Steve C.]

2005 / My first IA2 block

482ci based on a early IA II with dowl pin main caps (blk #17). Crower 4.125 billet crank, Crower 6.8 billet rods & JE 4.310" pistons (13:1cr). Using my old small runner volume (non wide port) '330' cfm E-heads to start with. Dry deck/reverse cooling.

Followed by 4.5 stroke and High Port heads done here in Texas / 910 HP N/A.

.

[GTOGEORGE]

Quote" Our best run with a door car was 6.95 @195 in door car 2900 # 1996
At that time we went threw the traps at 8000 rpm at 36 psi of boost."
Marty Palbykin

1996 ................this could explain why Marty didn't have a !A block in his car!



GTO George

[PAUL K]

Originally Posted by Mark G

The facts are more Ia2 blocks failed than MR1 blocks in fact I never heard or seen of any MR1 blocks failing after KRE fixed the casting problem.... ..Just the facts IMO If any MR1 have failed post it.

We've seen MR-1 blocks with cracked on the deck surface...fwiw

[Steve C.]

When were Dick Duclow's series of blocks prior to the IA2 ? Before 2002


.

[GTOGEORGE]

Originally Posted by Steve C.

When were Dick Duclow's series of blocks prior to the IA2 ? Before 2002


.

Seems to be around 1999!



GTO George

[Jim Zeek]

Originally Posted by Steve C.

When were Dick Duclow's series of blocks prior to the IA2 ? Before 2002


.

weren't they somewhere around 1998/1999?

[Steve C.]

Don't know about Chief Many Horses and his blocks but the original Indian Adventures was formed in 1993

.

[Tom Vaught]

Originally Posted by Steve C.

Don't know about Chief Many Horses and his blocks but the original Indian Adventures was formed in 1993 .

Agree, Remember well having discussions with Dick, Tom, and Jim Butler at Butlers race in Tennessee about the block and other things. Dick and Tom wanted to get GM to assign a Part Number on the blocks. GM did offer some advice and cut a deal to have the machine work outsourced to a Block Shop that GM Engineering used.

Tom V.

[GTOGEORGE]

Testing (in race cars.....butler....etc.) on block was in 1999ish!


GTO George

[mgarblik]

Originally Posted by PAUL K

Which crank (pretty sure you've stated previously Pontiac cast) and rods did you guys use?

What kind of RPM did you turn?

Well, believe it or not, Stock N cranks prepped carefully by me. ATI damper, 1/8" fillet radius. 2.200 crankpin. BME 396 series rods, Venolia and BME pistons, 8000-8200 through the traps . Killed the three blocks over time, never hurt a bearing or a crankshaft. Remember no forgings available in those days, no money for a billet. Tune-up is critical . Detonation, cast parts die quickly

[Steve C.]

Article from Pontiac Enthusiast magazine July/Aug 1997

Dick Duclow and Tom Piecewicz of Indian Adventures have finally caved in to Arnie Beswick's persistent requests to help him get a carbureted traditional Pontiac engine up to a power level suitable for use in his "Tameless Tiger" 1963 LeMans. All of Arnie's persistence has paid off- Indian Adventures is just about ready to spring the biggest news on serious Pontiac racer since the development of the 455 block some 27 years ago. The true high-performance cast-iron cylinder block is very close to production stage.

CAD drawings were shown. Orders accepted after Aug 15, 1997


.

[Scott Roberts]

Originally Posted by Mark G

The facts are more Ia2 blocks failed than MR1 blocks in fact I never heard or seen of any MR1 blocks failing after KRE fixed the casting problem.... ..Just the facts IMO If any MR1 have failed post it.

Maybe, maybe not... KRE is a master of smoke and mirrors... they like to conceal issues with their products... kinda like they did with Tom Moon... in my opinion of course.
Honestly, I don't care either way.. I believe either block will get the job done in the right hands...

[slowbird]

Originally Posted by mgarblik

Well, believe it or not, Stock N cranks prepped carefully by me. ATI damper, 1/8" fillet radius. 2.200 crankpin. BME 396 series rods, Venolia and BME pistons, 8000-8200 through the traps . Killed the three blocks over time, never hurt a bearing or a crankshaft. Remember no forgings available in those days, no money for a billet. Tune-up is critical . Detonation, cast parts die quickly

I always wondered if a fully counter weighted crank would help the stock blocks and the cracking issue. Problem is put such an expensive crank in a stock block doesn't make much sense.

[ponjohn]

Originally Posted by PAUL K

We've seen MR-1 blocks with cracked on the deck surface...fwiw

After being put into service or before?

[PAUL K]

Originally Posted by slowbird

I always wondered if a fully counter weighted crank would help the stock blocks and the cracking issue. Problem is put such an expensive crank in a stock block doesn't make much sense.

Full counterweight billet crank helped my friends fast stock block Buick live a lot longer...before the aftermarket blocks came out

[PAUL K]

Originally Posted by ponjohn

After being put into service or before?

It developed after the block was put into service.

[Mark G]

Originally Posted by PAUL K

We've seen MR-1 blocks with cracked on the deck surface...fwiw

A crack on the deck is nothing compared to split mains.