The detail on those should give a good example of the time involved in a project like this.... and that's only a fraction of it:eek2: :eek2: :eek2: Good job Mike....
do i see different inserts for the lifter valley? and both the ability to use BOP and Chevy transmissions? and what looks like huge main bearing oil passages.
Concerning the second picture of the above patterns, would anyone know if the flathead Ford engine on the table in the background has the new touted Motor City Flathead block? Sorry for getting off topic. Thanks. Jay
Lookin' good :beer The wife asked what I wanted for my 50th next year. First I told her a trip to Frank Hawleys Drag Racing School to drive one of their S/C dragsters. Then I saw the details on this and changed my wish list :grin:
Being single again has really changed my perspective on things. Everyone's looking at the patterns and some at the flathead in the background ..... me Im trying to focus on the poster in the upper left hand corner! Seriously, I give Mike a LOT of credit for doing this 455 project. Now, when the time is right, I really hope that enough people step up and commit to a new block. There's been a ton of "whinning" for many years. That should equate to a huge "demand" for this block. I will personally be in a position to purchase a block within the next year, and I will do so. Even if you can't afford the entire thing right now, I'm sure Mike will take a down payment and perhaps even offer a "layaway" plan. Just think how good it will be to be really FAST and have some RELIABILITY!! I can't wait!! Steve
Mike, from what I can see from the patterns there is going to be plenty of meat in all the right places. The lifter galley and the main webbing look very strong, infinitely better than the stock BBB. You guys have done a great job. I can't wait to see the huge new heads that go with it! Later, Randy
I see provisions for the dip stick looks stock. If it where under the deck alittle we might be able to use it with the 2 1/8" headers.
COME ON MIKE!!! You posted theat yesterday morning! Where r the pics? PPPPPPPPPLLLLLLLEEEEEAAAAASSSSSEEEEE??? Dont make us cry or beg ray: ray: ray: ray: ray: Michael
Michael, Do I know you thlivingod or however you spell that. Sorry forgot to write it down. I used to live in Wis
I heard rumors of this block in '06. Made a call and the guys at TA said they were in the serious "contemplation" phase at that point. I gave them my name and they said I was the second(dang, almost called first. lol Somehow chanting "I'm number 1, I'm number 1." to myself seems a petty self congratulations, but it still woulda been neat. lol ) person they'd call when and if, the time came. After the call I started having all kinds of daydreams of the EFI'd, turbo bigblock I was gonna build with it. As time went on and turned into a year I was still stoked, but had tempered my daydreams with the reality of the "what if" should the project fall through, since I really, really, really wanna go on Drag week and be competitive for the overall win with a BUICK and get respect for our community. Now that the guys are at the foundry, I'm starting to get all jittery again. It now seems as though I may be able to do the very deed I actually thought I'd never be able to do since it takes alot(like 2000plus set to kill) of RELIABLE, BBB block killing ponies to run mid 7's not on kill, and drive it over 800 miles in one week. I can build that power with a pair of 88mm hairdriers with 550 plus cubes and still drive it on the street easy as pie since we've already done 1500hp in a reliable 427SBC twin turbo with FAST EFI. But this block WILL be the key to putting Buicks toe to toe with the other more popular brands when dealing with some of the fast, streetable car type racing so popular now. I hope the news from the foundry is good.ray: I wanna go play.... bad, and continue doing it with no quarter asked or given from the Chevy, Ford, Mopar guys. Just like I do with my stock block, sprayed 464....Only faster. Oooohhh yeah.
I just want to know what vendor is going to start offering different fender emblems ... like GS 555 or even 655? Saaaaweeeet!
Question for TA: On the raised cam blocks, will you be making a special front timing cover with a raised distributor pad, or a shorter distributor? Or maybe you have a new idea!! Looking forward to it!