Tonawanda Engine Block

[Terry M.]

Re: Tonawanda Engine Block

Terry -

I'd agree with that - probably a simple occasional trial to verify compatibility of the foundry and machining tooling between the two plants; this would be particularly important for field service, to ensure that either plant's innards would fit and operate properly in either plant's machined block, as there was no distinction between block sources for field service parts. There was certainly no production volume reason to ship Tonawanda blocks from New York to Flint.

Sure John that is another reason to do those trials. And there was no effort to direct those Tonawanda cast cylinder cases to any particular car line. They could have as easily gone to trucks, A-bodies, or full size cars as Corvettes. Did F-bodies get Tonawanda assembled small blocks in the normal course of assembly? I am sure A-bodies did. I have owned some of those.

[Ralph S.]

Re: Tonawanda Engine Block

We see this on occasion in 1969 to 1972 Corvettes, and I recall one case in 1973 to 1977. It does not surprise me that there are other cases. The folks at Flint Engine told me that "from time to time a batch of Tonawanda cast cylinder cases" would be sent to Flint for machining and assembly. The purpose was to ensure that the Tonawanda cast cylinder cases would fit the tooling and machines at Flint so that an alternate casting site was available should Saginaw Metal Casting be unable to supply raw cylinder cases or could not meet sufficient demand for cylinder cases to Flint Engine.

Terry,

Do you know if this was done for other years (64 in my case), in addition to the documented 65 blocks. Would like to get the 64 Judging Guide modified to reflect the comments in the 1965 Judging Guide. Thanks for your help.

Ralph

[Terry M.]

Re: Tonawanda Engine Block

Terry,

Do you know if this was done for other years (64 in my case), in addition to the documented 65 blocks. Would like to get the 64 Judging Guide modified to reflect the comments in the 1965 Judging Guide. Thanks for your help.

Ralph

Sorry Ralph, I know about the C3s I cited, but not any other years. I wouldn't be surprised to see the same thing in other years, but I just don't do research there.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Tonawanda Engine Block

Terry -

I'd agree with that - probably a simple occasional trial to verify compatibility of the foundry and machining tooling between the two plants; this would be particularly important for field service, to ensure that either plant's innards would fit and operate properly in either plant's machined block, as there was no distinction between block sources for field service parts. There was certainly no production volume reason to ship Tonawanda blocks from New York to Flint.

Both machining/Assembly factory's would have the same sets of fixtures to hold the castings. I am sure they would want to make sure that castings from either foundry would fit both sets of fixtures for machining

[Gary C.]

Re: Tonawanda Engine Block

Ken,

In addition to the front galley oil plugs. 1957 Tonawanda 548 block castings are a tad bit different than the Flint 548 block castings.

Flint Block Non-Milled Area-crop (Small).jpg

Gary
....

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Tonawanda Engine Block

Ken,

In addition to the front galley oil plugs. 1957 Tonawanda 548 block castings are a tad bit different than the Flint 548 block castings.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]43566[/ATTACH]

Gary
....

THANKS GARY
Can't say you can't teach a old dog new tricks.

[Gary C.]

Re: Tonawanda Engine Block

Ken,

That little tidbit is from our NCRS colleague and noted Restorer of '57 Corvettes - Dick Robinson.

If you look at the Tonawanda engines that area in the screenshot is parallel with the block head surface. On Flint engines it's almost a 1/4" down.

Gary
....

[Ralph S.]

Re: Tonawanda Engine Block

Having started this post, I would like to thank everyone for their great comments. I really learned a lot. So, how can we get the 63/64 Judging Guides to be the same as the 65 Judging Guide which acknowledges the presence of these blocks?Thanks

[John H.]

Re: Tonawanda Engine Block

Sure John that is another reason to do those trials. And there was no effort to direct those Tonawanda cast cylinder cases to any particular car line. They could have as easily gone to trucks, A-bodies, or full size cars as Corvettes. Did F-bodies get Tonawanda assembled small blocks in the normal course of assembly? I am sure A-bodies did. I have owned some of those.

Terry -

Yes, they did - both Flint and Tonawanda SB engines were common in '67-'69 Camaros, with no apparent pattern, except all Z/28 302's were Flint-built.

[Terry M.]

Re: Tonawanda Engine Block

Terry -

Yes, they did - both Flint and Tonawanda SB engines were common in '67-'69 Camaros, with no apparent pattern, except all Z/28 302's were Flint-built.

So Corvette is unique in that it was the only car line to get small blocks exclusively assembled at Flint.

[John H.]

Re: Tonawanda Engine Block

So Corvette is unique in that it was the only car line to get small blocks exclusively assembled at Flint.

Yes, at least through 1967; dunno about C3's.

[Michael W.]

Re: Tonawanda Engine Block

I wonder if engine cases cast at McKinnon Industries were ever sent to other engine plants to assess compatibility. Anybody know?

[Terry M.]

Re: Tonawanda Engine Block

Yes, at least through 1967; dunno about C3's.

C3s for 1969 and newer are the same -- with the exception of the Tonawanda cast Flint assembled examples noted here. These are easy to find in C3s because the Tonawanda casting number is 3970014 and the date has the two digit year configuration, and is in a different location than the 1970010 castings. Ray Charles could find it. Much harder for you guys with the same casting number at both plants.

[Claus S.]

Re: Tonawanda Engine Block

Joe. After what i was told the Tonawanda blocks would have a F for Flint since they where inspected by Flint?

[Joe L.]

Re: Tonawanda Engine Block

Joe. After what i was told the Tonawanda blocks would have a F for Flint since they where inspected by Flint?

Claus-----

A Tonawanda CAST block which was machined and assembled at Flint will have an "F" or "V" engine code prefix on the STAMP PAD. It will not have an "F" CAST INTO the block.