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Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience #1583481
02/24/14 06:08 PM
02/24/14 06:08 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,073
Tulsa, Ok
WadeMetzinger Offline OP
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WadeMetzinger  Offline OP
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,073
Tulsa, Ok
Just thought I'd post my KB ordering experience since I've heard rumors that it takes 6 to 9 months to get one. In late Nov I called and requested a KB block order form, filed it out and sent it in and on Dec 3 Ken Black called me and we discussed my order and he took the 1st payment (which is half of the cost of the block, including shipping).

He told me they were running about 12 week from ordering to shipping, which was fine with me since I didn't need it to start out the season.

On Friday, 2/21, I received a call from Ken to tell me that the block has been received from the foundry and was ready for machining and was ready for the 2nd half of the payment.

So now they are starting on the finish machining (install sleeves, bore and honing, cam and main journals, decking, oil galleys, etc.

He said that it should be done and ready to ship in about 3 weeks but I changed my mind on one thing and that added another week so I should have my KB block in about 4 weeks. So that is about 3.5 months and with the Holiday's in there I don't think that is bad at all.

440 Street (water) block (good for up to 2,500hp)
4.360 bore (but the sleeves will support up to 4.530 bore)
10.725 deck

The only option I added (which I mentioned above "changed my mind") was to drill the lifter galley for hydraulic or push rod oiling about a $350 option. I don't need it with my current build but if I ever went to push rod oiling or sold the block I would wished I had done it.. They don't do this machining, they farm it out so that's why it adds another week lead time.

They are going to put a plug in the lifter galleys and drill it out .060 so it won't have full volume/pressure but the extra oil should help the roller lifters live longer, even though Isky told me it wasn't necessary. And if I ever want to change it I would just pull the outside block 3/8" plug and access the internal 1/4" plug. It's my understanding that is how Dart does their blocks as well.

The block will come fully machined and ready to assemble including finished honed. Cam bearings installed, Head bolts are included (they ask you which heads your running), Rear main seal/cap and of course all the plugs installed.

It's been a pleasure dealing with Ken. I've called him a few times with questions and he's always been very nice and willing to help me out.


Wade Metzinger 918-809-0987
71 Cuda 9.28@145 -1s, Pglide
68 Cuda 10.64@124 1.45 60's 318->390 eddys
Moparts discount code on WIX - moparts www.Filter1.com
Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience [Re: WadeMetzinger] #1583482
02/24/14 06:19 PM
02/24/14 06:19 PM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,288
Oregon
sg66mopar Offline
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sg66mopar  Offline
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Posts: 1,288
Oregon
Nice to know there's still a few reputable, professional people in the world.

Tommy, are you readin' this buddy?

Last edited by sg66mopar; 02/24/14 08:24 PM.
Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience [Re: sg66mopar] #1583483
02/24/14 07:23 PM
02/24/14 07:23 PM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,128
Salt Lake City
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camastomcat Offline
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Salt Lake City
Quote:

Nice to know thee's still a few reputable, professional people in the world.

Tommy, are you readin' this buddy?





Yes and it's good to know. I might re-consider my block options as a result of this post. Thanks Wade! Also, you will be glad you had the lifter galley drilled.

Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience [Re: camastomcat] #1583484
02/24/14 07:31 PM
02/24/14 07:31 PM
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 253
Smithfield, Rhode Island
Mulehead Offline
enthusiast
Mulehead  Offline
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 253
Smithfield, Rhode Island
Yes,It took 6 mouths to get my street hemi.

8051602-DSC06148.JPG (1021 downloads)

Ain't nuthin like a HEMI !
Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience [Re: Mulehead] #1583485
02/24/14 08:22 PM
02/24/14 08:22 PM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY Offline
Master
MR_P_BODY  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
Does KB build any Mopar small blocks... never seen one
but I figured I'd ask
thanks

Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience [Re: MR_P_BODY] #1583486
02/24/14 08:32 PM
02/24/14 08:32 PM
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,394
Ambridge, Pa.
R
rickraw Offline
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,394
Ambridge, Pa.
Didn't see any on their site. They should start making them.

Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience [Re: rickraw] #1583487
02/24/14 08:38 PM
02/24/14 08:38 PM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY Offline
Master
MR_P_BODY  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
Quote:

Didn't see any on their site. They should start making them.




I seen a alum LA block some years back...I'm sure it
was a one of a kind.. I tried to buy it from him but
he didnt want to sell it... I'm sure he never used it

Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience [Re: MR_P_BODY] #1583488
02/24/14 10:48 PM
02/24/14 10:48 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,976
Chilliwack B.C. Canada
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RUNCHARGER Offline
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Chilliwack B.C. Canada
Good post. Always nice to hear great experiences with a reputable company.

Sheldon

Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience [Re: MR_P_BODY] #1583489
02/25/14 12:41 AM
02/25/14 12:41 AM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 740
K&Q va.
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BIGBLOCK_KAT Offline
super stock
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K&Q va.
Quote:

Does KB build any Mopar small blocks... never seen one
but I figured I'd ask
thanks



.
Why not give them a call?? Glad to hear a positive post!

Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience [Re: BIGBLOCK_KAT] #1583490
02/25/14 02:49 AM
02/25/14 02:49 AM
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,646
Plymouth Meeting, PA
bigtimeauto Offline
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,646
Plymouth Meeting, PA
how is it coming finished honed?? Did you measure your pistons and send them the dimensions?


BB, TT5,Procharged 3300lb Street Car 4.79/154
Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience [Re: bigtimeauto] #1583491
02/25/14 03:43 AM
02/25/14 03:43 AM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,397
Carson City, Nevada
Biginchmopar Offline
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Biginchmopar  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,397
Carson City, Nevada
I tell you how much of a stand up guy Ken Black is, I went down to LA on the Feb. 7, 2014. On my over the mountain we got stuck in weather so after I got into Sacrament I called Ken and told him we were behind and that I thought I would be there right around 5:00pm
He said no problem.
Well we hit Magic Mountain around 5:00pm and traffic was at a stand still. I was distraught so I called and told Ken I was sorry, he said no biggie I'll see you when you get here. We showed up at 6:30pm and there he was big smile on his face. He took a couple my friends around a showed them the things they wanted to see and spent a lot more time with us. I was picking up a Chevy block that we decided not to fix.

Ken, thanks a million!
What a great guy!


Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience [Re: bigtimeauto] #1583492
02/25/14 02:03 PM
02/25/14 02:03 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,073
Tulsa, Ok
WadeMetzinger Offline OP
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WadeMetzinger  Offline OP
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,073
Tulsa, Ok
Quote:

how is it coming finished honed?? Did you measure your pistons and send them the dimensions?




Yes I have the pistons, bought them used and they were all were within .001 of each other, so they were in great shape. They are Diamond and they build in .004 piston to wall clearance in the piston, so 4.360 is what they will finish hone it to.

They were coated, gas ported and had a dome on them, I cut the dome off and made them flat tops.

8052458-photo1.JPG (533 downloads)
Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience [Re: WadeMetzinger] #1583493
02/25/14 02:04 PM
02/25/14 02:04 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,073
Tulsa, Ok
WadeMetzinger Offline OP
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Tulsa, Ok
2nd picture

8052460-photo2.JPG (641 downloads)
Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience [Re: WadeMetzinger] #1583494
02/25/14 02:10 PM
02/25/14 02:10 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,116
PA.
pittsburghracer Offline
"Little"John
pittsburghracer  Offline
"Little"John

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,116
PA.
Its funny you posted this when you did Wade. I was reorganizing my old racing receipts 2 days before you posted this and read thru my old order form from my Keith Black engine. Still have some pictures from the day I picked my block up from the loading dock. GREAT company and I'm glad they made it thru the lean years.


1970 Duster
Edelbrock headed 408
5.984@112.52
422 Indy headed small block
5.982@112.56 mph
9.42@138.27

Livin and lovin life one day at a time




Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience [Re: WadeMetzinger] #1583495
02/25/14 06:34 PM
02/25/14 06:34 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,917
NC
440Jim Offline
I Live Here
440Jim  Offline
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Posts: 16,917
NC
Quote:

...requested a KB block order form, filed it out and sent it in and on Dec 3 Ken Black called me and we discussed my order and he took the 1st payment (which is half of the cost of the block, including shipping).

He told me they were running about 12 week from ordering to shipping, which was fine with me since I didn't need it to start out the season.

On Friday, 2/21, I received a call from Ken to tell me that the block has been received from the foundry and was ready for machining and was ready for the 2nd half of the payment.

He said that it should be done and ready to ship in about 3 weeks...


That looks like 11 weeks to get the casting from the foundary after you ordered. Plus 3 more weeks for machining, total 14 weeks.

I ordered mine on Jan 17, 2014. I will keep you posted on the progress.

Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience [Re: 440Jim] #1583496
02/25/14 08:47 PM
02/25/14 08:47 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,073
Tulsa, Ok
WadeMetzinger Offline OP
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Posts: 2,073
Tulsa, Ok
I was giving them some slack with the holidays in there...

Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience [Re: WadeMetzinger] #1583497
02/25/14 11:14 PM
02/25/14 11:14 PM
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 12,481
Chino Valley
RodStRace Offline
I Live Here
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Posts: 12,481
Chino Valley
Great to hear!
To the person who wondered about a SB, I would think that a 3rd gen hemi would be a better investment for them to make.
The SB span was 1964.5 through 2003. no new ones in 11 years!
Plenty of different heads, and stroker setups, but the same is true for the new hemi.
It just makes sense to go with a design that not only is still in production but provides more power stock and is still being developed to this day.
Just my 2 cents... can't afford to build one either way.

Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience [Re: WadeMetzinger] #1583498
02/26/14 02:08 PM
02/26/14 02:08 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,131
New Lenox IL
cudadon Offline
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New Lenox IL
Wade do you mind if I ask how much it cost?
How much it weighs?
Thanks, Don

8053630-493ondyno.JPG (562 downloads)
Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience [Re: RodStRace] #1583499
02/26/14 02:18 PM
02/26/14 02:18 PM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY Offline
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
Quote:

Great to hear!
To the person who wondered about a SB, I would think that a 3rd gen hemi would be a better investment for them to make.
The SB span was 1964.5 through 2003. no new ones in 11 years!
Plenty of different heads, and stroker setups, but the same is true for the new hemi.
It just makes sense to go with a design that not only is still in production but provides more power stock and is still being developed to this day.
Just my 2 cents... can't afford to build one either way.




I am contemplating a gen3 but I'm leaving all the
doors open... all my spare parts are the old LA stuff
so thats why I was looking at what is available...
if I do go with a gen3 I'll have to start up a new
stash of parts.... just in case

Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience [Re: MR_P_BODY] #1583500
02/26/14 04:04 PM
02/26/14 04:04 PM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,397
Carson City, Nevada
Biginchmopar Offline
pro stock
Biginchmopar  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,397
Carson City, Nevada
440Jim,
I did ask Ken about your block and he said he didn't have it from the foundry yet but he did say "Ya it's a low deck deal right" I told him yes that is the one.


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