I also saw their new catalogue over the weekend, it has a page dedicated to the new block ( the Thomahawk) I believe is what it said. Either way I can't wait to see the gs's back on top at the buick races. I own both a TR and a GS but I still like to see the BBB, as top dog.
I agree I don't care who makes it lets just get them readily available. So we can step on these things and get back in the hunt at the tracks
So when the Alum Block is in buicks, then will the old time----iron buick blocks you racers used to use, will be "old school" and be passed on to us that are less fortunate? (cheap) Hate to see you guys stumbling over them in your garages....:grin:
Dave, That happened with the iron heads once the aluminums came out. Many of us were recipients of well ported iron heads as many made the switch to aluminum. There were a lot of heads with upwards of $3000 worth of work into them being sold for half that. One can only hope the same thing will happen when "everyone" is running aluminum blocks... Of course with a 10.6 under your belt there's only so far you can go with those castoffs.
We are now in fact building the patterns for the new block. Most everything we can think of has been built into the design. At this time three versions have been drawn. 1st, standard replacement. This block will come with std 3.250 mains, std cam bearing tunnel (cam tunnel can be bored out to Ford 54mm), possibly .875" lifters std instead of .842". 4-bolt mains, the 3-centers are splayed, priority oiling. 18 head bolt pattern. Multi bolt trans case pattern. Oil pan will need to be modified; we will be building a patch panel to up date your stock style pan. All blocks are as strong as each other. 2nd, special order. Same as above but with a raised cam. From 5.045" stock Buick to Ford 460 6.080". Block will come standard with 3.0 Ford main bearing and Ford cam tunnel (54mm). We are looking to have a belt drive made for this application. Starter bolt pattern to be Chevy. When cranks are made they will have a Chevy flange bolt pattern & Ford snout. 3rd, special order. Same as 2nd design except with an 11.700 deck height. This should allow up to 5.750 strokes. Also, there is a big chief style head on the drawing board. This head will also fit the stock iron blocks.
Mike, have you thought about splitting up the intake and exhaust ports to create 4 individual ports on the new heads, similar to the Dart "Buick" heads that were developed for the small block chevy motors? Would that design change help to equalize the flow between each port and allow more clearance for the pushrods? Just a thought, Randy
Mike: a word: nitromethane...has anyone used that word in reference to the "new" T/A block? Jay B.Britt,Jr.
That's where we started; it did not take long to realize that that would not work. We would have to move the lifters in the new block, which we can. But then the heads are married to only that style TA block. They would not work on a stock block. (Very limited sales). Lifter bore placement is a given. We really tried hard to make that happen.
Britt, Our new block will give you the best chance to say "I run nitromethane". I would love to see you do it.
Mike:Thanks for the wishful thoughts,now if you peered into the crystal ball and saw something that I didn't see,pass me a little note in the new catalog that I'm about to ask that you send me(by the way/the cost of new catalog is....?) But until that time,rather than go SCARY FAST:Brow: ,and until my Buick is finished,I've invented a new class for NHRA and IHRA: PRO SPECTATOR. Jay B.Britt,Jr.
what does that mean Dart "Buick" Heads. I've head of Dart heads but don't know that much about them. Are you saying that the were similar to a certain type of buick head. If so that would be great news to pass onto my chevy racing buddies, that are all using ported dart heads to keep up with my home ported stock buick.
WOW!! Thanks for the update Mike!! Are all these still aluminum blocks, or will there be any iron blocks available eventually? This news is certainly a shot in the arm during this "off season". Thanks Mike!!:beer
Mike: Thanks for the info on the coming block. I sure hope I can make arrangements to get one for my Nostaglia Super Stocker. I have had to run so conservative to keep an engine together to go to all the races to win a Championship, it would be great to have an engine I can lean on to run with the fast Mopars. They are running big inches and Indy heads and there is no comparison between what I run and what I have to run againist. Luckly, I played my cards right this year to win the Championship with the NMCA. I think this block will enable me to build an engine to run low 9's with these Mopars. It would sure open some eyes to see a Buick running that fast. They think I'm fast now "for a Buick", I want to show them fast. Mike keep us posted. Jim Netherland 2007 NMCA NSS World Champion
I've seen the Bulldog Block as Jim has one at his shop that's completed ready to go back on the dyno. I believe it's a street/strip with TA heads, unsure if they are 1's or 2's though. This 573 c.i. engine will put around 800 horsepower.
is the bulldog block aluminium??? if so did they use a different mold than the iron block??? if not it will be to thin for aluminium
It's aluminum, as I was able to lift the front of the fully built engine sitting on the stand. If it was iron I wouldn't be able to budge it.
