Demise of the Big Block Engine?

[Tom P.]

Re: Demise of the Big Block Engine?

I'm surprised you guys keep jumping back and forth between metric and cubic in displacement. I'm from the old, OLD school and I flat don't do metric. Thus, I have to stop and either divide or multiply by 61 to adjust to the mentioned displacements.
Personally, I prefer cubic inches. Metric just don't fit!!! Therefore, 8.1 doesn't compute. I multiply by 61, get 496, then say, "OH, that's a 496! That's what we've been getting for many years by stroking a 454 another 1/4in. That fits!"

My final comment, This is America--------------SPEAK ENGLISH!

[Mike M.]

Re: Demise of the Big Block Engine?

I'm surprised you guys keep jumping back and forth between metric and cubic in displacement. I'm from the old, OLD school and I flat don't do metric. Thus, I have to stop and either divide or multiply by 61 to adjust to the mentioned displacements.
Personally, I prefer cubic inches. Metric just don't fit!!! Therefore, 8.1 doesn't compute. I multiply by 61, get 496, then say, "OH, that's a 496! That's what we've been getting for many years by stroking a 454 another 1/4in. That fits!"

My final comment, This is America--------------SPEAK ENGLISH!

agree completely tom.the old saying, "there's no substitue for cubic inches" sounds foolish as "there's no substitute for cubic liters". mike

[Joe L.]

Re: Demise of the Big Block Engine?

I'm surprised you guys keep jumping back and forth between metric and cubic in displacement. I'm from the old, OLD school and I flat don't do metric. Thus, I have to stop and either divide or multiply by 61 to adjust to the mentioned displacements.
Personally, I prefer cubic inches. Metric just don't fit!!! Therefore, 8.1 doesn't compute. I multiply by 61, get 496, then say, "OH, that's a 496! That's what we've been getting for many years by stroking a 454 another 1/4in. That fits!"

My final comment, This is America--------------SPEAK ENGLISH!

Tom-----


I've never liked the metric nomenclature, either, especially as it relates to engine size. However, it's the nomenclature that GM uses to describe the engines and, to avoid confusion, I like to keep the nomenclature I use consistent with what GM uses, whether I like it, or not.

As far as the metric system is concerned, it's just about completely taken over all of the US brands. Except for engines, all C4 Corvettes were virtually completely metric. C5 and C6 Corvettes are all metric.

The last bastion of SAE size fasteners were fasteners used in the core of some engines (i.e. head bolts, rod bolts, main cap bolts, etc.). All C4 engines except LT5 used SAE fasteners in the core engine.

As far as PRODUCTION engines used today in any GM vehicle, there is only ONE engine that uses SAE fasteners for the core engine. That engine is the 4.3L V-6 used as the base engine in a lot of pick-up trucks. That's it! All other GM PRODUCTION engines are completely metric.

SERVICE engines which use SAE fasteners for the core engine include Gen I and II small blocks, 4.3L V-6, 3.8L V-6, and Gen VI big blocks.

In fact, even the 8.1L (496 cid) is an all-metric engine. When the change was made from Gen VI to the 8.1L (sometimes called "Gen VII" although not nomenclature used by GM), SAE fasteners were "left behind".

[Dick W.]

Re: Demise of the Big Block Engine?

agree completely tom.the old saying, "there's no substitue for cubic inches" sounds foolish as "there's no substitute for cubic liters". mike

There is one substitute for cubic inches, it is cubic money.

[Tom P.]

Re: Demise of the Big Block Engine?

WELL! I'll fix that! I'll just drill out the metric threads and run an SAE tap down all the holes and then install SAE bolts. That'll show 'um!

[Brian G.]

Re: Demise of the Big Block Engine?

Today's Buffalo News....

http://www.buffalonews.com/258/story/898653.html

[Joe L.]

Re: Demise of the Big Block Engine?

Today's Buffalo News....

http://www.buffalonews.com/258/story/898653.html

Brian-----


Thanks very much for posting that. That confirms pretty much what I had expected, as sad as it is.

[Dennis B.]

Re: Demise of the Big Block Engine?

Here is a link to a local news story from our nightly news here in Buffalo, NY regarding this topic.

http://www.wgrz.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=72901&catid=37

[Dennis B.]

Re: Demise of the Big Block Engine?

and a further link:

http://www.wgrz.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=58111095001

[Dennis B.]

Re: Demise of the Big Block Engine?

and finally a print story:
Home

Plant manager Steve Finch, right, shares a bittersweet smile with co-workers today in General Motors' Town of Tonawanda plant. Robert Kirkham/Buffalo News


V-8 era ends at GM's Tonawanda plant

By Matt Glynn
News Business Reporter
Updated: December 18, 2009, 4:42 PM / 26 comments
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Buzz up!



The era of the "big block" V-8 engine came to an end at the General Motors' Town of Tonawanda plant today.
The plant marked the end of production of the L-18 V-8 engine, a move that is causing the layoff of 150 hourly workers at the plant.
The L-18 was the latest in a series of "big block" V-8 engines that have been made at the plant since 1958. GM announced in June that production of the engine would cease by year's end. The engines were used in GM vehicles as well as commercial applications and powerboats.
Employees, managers and retirees who gathered for a ceremony called the occasion as bittersweet, with the end for a staple of the River Road site's production. The final engine, covered with employees' signatures, is destined for the GM Heritage Center in Sterling Heights, Mich.
The 150 layoffs bring the total number of workers on layoff at the plant to 298, said Robert Coleman, shop chairman of United Auto Workers Local 774.
Coleman and Steve Finch, the plant manager, said they are striving to secure a new engine line that would enable workers to return from layoff.
"We're all working very, very hard to make this the place to put GM's next engine," Finch said.
While the L-18 accounted for only about 3 percent of the Tonawanda plant's annual output, it had a loyal following among customers that enabled it to keep being produced when its future was in question over the years, Finch said.
mglynn@buffnews.com

[Clem Z.]

Re: Demise of the Big Block Engine?

GM must be machining BBC parts some place for all those BBC crate engines. i wonder if 8.1 will show up in the perf parts along with the other BBC ? maybe mercury marine will take over the production.

[Dennis B.]

Re: Demise of the Big Block Engine?

A link to another story in this mornings Buffalo News.

http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/story/899075.html

[Terry M.]

Re: Demise of the Big Block Engine?

I thought I heard the video state the BB was used in the Corvair and then right here I see it in print.

Tonawanda did build the air cooled Corvair engine, beginning 50 years ago the October just past, and I have seen small blocks put into Corvairs -- but not by GM. The small block Corvairs are wicked cars, but a big block in one

[Mike M.]

Re: Demise of the Big Block Engine?

I thought I heard the video state the BB was used in the Corvair and then right here I see it in print.

Tonawanda did build the air cooled Corvair engine, beginning 50 years ago the October just past, and I have seen small blocks put into Corvairs -- but not by GM. The small block Corvairs are wicked cars, but a big block in one

terry; the sbc in corvair reminded me of a buddy in morgantown, wva in the early 70's. he installed a 327 with 65 rochester FI unit in his corvair coupe, right behind the front seat. don't know if he ever got it running but i feared for the transaxle with the 375HP in front of it. i also had concern for his rear end(read his buttocks) should the fan clutch give up the ghost. he was a character. drove a stock corvair to texas and towed home a 39 chevy sedan delivery with the corvair. i later bought the sedan del from him and its been sitting in our barn for over 40 years. i intended to bring it in the shop this winter and install a souped up 235 six banger in the old delivery. maybe next winter. you all have a merry christmas. mike and lea

[Dick W.]

Re: Demise of the Big Block Engine?

There was a Corvair pickup here that had a 396 425 with a Turbo 400 and Vette rear end. A coupe with the wicked 350 that I built for my '61 Vette. Crane roller, Weiand tunnel ram with 2 660 cfm Holley's, Mondello heads, Venolia 12.5-1 pistons, Carillo rods, and Vertex mag. I saw the car run one time. When he nailed it, he wrecked for about 1/4 of a mile, just never hit anything.