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Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience
[Re: cudadon]
#1583501
02/26/14 05:01 PM
02/26/14 05:01 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,073
Tulsa, Ok
WadeMetzinger
OP
top fuel
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OP
top fuel
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,073
Tulsa, Ok
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Quote:
Wade do you mind if I ask how much it cost?
How much it weighs?
Thanks, Don
PM me if you want to know the cost.
I'm not completely sure about this but when I did a rough calculation the KB block is really about the same price as the World or Indy blocks because it comes fully machined (finished honed), with head bolts, rear Main cap/seal, cam bearings ready to assembly. It's my understanding that on the others you'll have to bore/hone it, install cam bearing and quite often fix the deck or main journal. (and I may be way off)
The Worlds do come with the lifter galley's drilled, bushed lifter bores, dual pattern bell housing (chevy/Mopar) and provisions for a 2nd oil pick up line so you only need a single pick up in your pump assembly. So if those are important features to you, I would be completely wrong.
It's more block than I need since I'll only be making 800hp or less with it and it's rated at 2,500hp. I almost traded a local buddy his aluminum World block and several other things for my KB block because he's trying to make 1,500hp (1,050hp motor and spray it with ~400hp NOS) and he is getting concerned that will be pushing the limits of the World Block. The World block would have worked for me just fine.
Regarding weight, this is my understanding.
Aluminum - 150
Stock - 250
Mega block - 340
So I should be saving almost 190 pounds going from my Mega block to the Aluminum block.
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Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience
[Re: Biginchmopar]
#1583502
02/26/14 05:21 PM
02/26/14 05:21 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,923
NC
440Jim
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,923
NC
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Quote:
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. 
Thanks, that will keep it on his attention.
I actually talked to Ken last week. After ordering my 4.500" Diamond pistons, I reminded Ken not to stroker clearance my block. Since it is a 9.98" deck height, the piston manufacturer wants as much support at the bottom of the cylinder as possible for the piston skirts.
I ordered mine on Jan 17, 2014. So the estimated schedule is:
March 21 casting arrives from the foundary
April 11 machining complete
Then ship across the country from CA to MD.
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Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience
[Re: WadeMetzinger]
#1583503
02/26/14 05:23 PM
02/26/14 05:23 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,923
NC
440Jim
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,923
NC
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Quote:
I'm not completely sure about this but when I did a rough calculation the KB block is really about the same price as the World or Indy blocks because it comes fully machined (finished honed), with head bolts, rear Main cap/seal, cam bearings ready to assembly.
As I understand it, the KB block comes with:
- Head studs, nuts, washers for the heads you specify
- Oil pan stud kit
- Front cover stud kit
- And of course all the main cap studs, nuts, washers, and side bolts.
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Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience
[Re: cudadon]
#1583504
02/26/14 06:49 PM
02/26/14 06:49 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,914
A shed in England
Tig
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,914
A shed in England
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Quote:
Wade do you mind if I ask how much it cost?
How much it weighs?
Thanks, Don
Sorry to Hi-jack. We went from a Mega blocked 528ci motor to a KB block 572. The weight loss was only 70lbs but in the right place. Same intake and heads etc.
HTH's
'74 Challenger..9.46 @ 145.9 1/4, 6.001 @ 118 1/8 so far. 4023lb !!! # N/A, Marsh performance 655ci, Indy Maxx, T/R, Indy 600-13 X's, Street legal, pump gas, full interior, Cal-Tracs, mufflers, 3:73's and real 10.5 radials.
9.51 @ 142.4 1/4, 6.003 @ 114 1/8 with our old mule KB, 572-13, 580 wedge.
RHD '68 Barracuda Fastback 323ci street/strip. Best ET 13.88 @ 99.03
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Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience
[Re: Tig]
#1583506
02/27/14 03:57 PM
02/27/14 03:57 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,073
Tulsa, Ok
WadeMetzinger
OP
top fuel
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OP
top fuel
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,073
Tulsa, Ok
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Quote:
Sorry to Hi-jack. We went from a Mega blocked 528ci motor to a KB block 572. The weight loss was only 70lbs but in the right place. Same intake and heads etc.
HTH's
I don't see how this could be correct, maybe your Mega block was lightened or something. I remember hearing that Indy could knock over 75 pounds of them for about $1,000.
The crank and rods would probably weigh more. Did you go from aluminum rods to heavy steel rods?
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Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience
[Re: Dart Racer]
#1583508
02/27/14 05:18 PM
02/27/14 05:18 PM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 655
Huntsville, AL
Airwoofer
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 655
Huntsville, AL
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Anybody looking for a KB aluminum low deck block... I have one. It has B1 PSO heavily worked heads attached, a new Bryant 4.15 crank, new alum rods and JE 14-1 pistons. Vacuum system, fogger set-up on the intake. Reverse flow water incl the radiator. In other words a race ready 499 fresh and ready to go. It is still in the 71 KOS Demon I just bought and will be coming out of the car after I play with it some this weekend at the track. I will be doing some street driving with the car and will be putting in a new 540 world block / 440-1 engine I built.  If interested, send me a PM. And as for Ken, before I got the World block I was talking with him about buying an alum block. That was last summer when the World blocks were not being made for a while. Every now and then he calls me up and asks if they ever followed up on my request for a quote cause he forgot he already called. He is a Mopar guy and loves to talk cars.
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Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience
[Re: WadeMetzinger]
#1583509
02/27/14 05:51 PM
02/27/14 05:51 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,914
A shed in England
Tig
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,914
A shed in England
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Quote:
Quote:
Sorry to Hi-jack. We went from a Mega blocked 528ci motor to a KB block 572. The weight loss was only 70lbs but in the right place. Same intake and heads etc.
HTH's
I don't see how this could be correct, maybe your Mega block was lightened or something. I remember hearing that Indy could knock over 75 pounds of them for about $1,000.
The crank and rods would probably weigh more. Did you go from aluminum rods to heavy steel rods?
Double checked on 2 different scales. I was a little dissapointed, since I was expecting around 150lbs. Megablock was an early one, bought in 2000. Both motors used steel rods. Weight was with the motor in the car.
Last edited by Tig; 02/27/14 05:53 PM.
'74 Challenger..9.46 @ 145.9 1/4, 6.001 @ 118 1/8 so far. 4023lb !!! # N/A, Marsh performance 655ci, Indy Maxx, T/R, Indy 600-13 X's, Street legal, pump gas, full interior, Cal-Tracs, mufflers, 3:73's and real 10.5 radials.
9.51 @ 142.4 1/4, 6.003 @ 114 1/8 with our old mule KB, 572-13, 580 wedge.
RHD '68 Barracuda Fastback 323ci street/strip. Best ET 13.88 @ 99.03
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Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience
[Re: Sammy]
#1583511
02/27/14 07:30 PM
02/27/14 07:30 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,560
Motor City
6PKRTSE
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,560
Motor City
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I can't wait to hopefully be ordering another one for myself here soon. Hear too many issues and problems with the World blocks.
1963 Belvedere 440 Max Wedge Tribute
1970 Charger R/T S.E. 440 Six Pack
1970 Challenger R/T, 528 Hemi
1970 Charger 500 S.E. 440 4 BBL
1970 Plymouth Road Runner 383
1974 Chrysler New Yorker 440
1996 2500 RAM 488 V-10 4X4
2004 3500 Dually Cummins 4x4
2012 Challenger R/T Classic.
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Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience
[Re: Dart Racer]
#1583514
02/28/14 03:29 PM
02/28/14 03:29 PM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 655
Huntsville, AL
Airwoofer
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 655
Huntsville, AL
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Quote:
After my cast block cracked I have been thinking the ole dart should have one.
So are there any cons to a aluminum block?
You had a stock RB block and cracked a main web?
The scarcity last Summer for the World blocks made me look at an aluminum block for my 540 build. The only real downside I heard was that unless they were filled the bores would not stay round and true. I can also tell you that a filled alum block with a race size radiator will get pretty warm if you are just driving around at 45 MPH in 3rd.
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Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience
[Re: Airwoofer]
#1583515
02/28/14 04:24 PM
02/28/14 04:24 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,128
Salt Lake City
camastomcat
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,128
Salt Lake City
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Quote:
Quote:
After my cast block cracked I have been thinking the ole dart should have one.
So are there any cons to a aluminum block?
You had a stock RB block and cracked a main web?
The scarcity last Summer for the World blocks made me look at an aluminum block for my 540 build. The only real downside I heard was that unless they were filled the bores would not stay round and true. I can also tell you that a filled alum block with a race size radiator will get pretty warm if you are just driving around at 45 MPH in 3rd.
My World 572 B1/MC motor although it a race set up, leaks down at less than 1%. So, I don't agree.
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Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience
[Re: WadeMetzinger]
#1583519
05/28/14 08:21 PM
05/28/14 08:21 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,384
Upstate NY
Bigcube
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,384
Upstate NY
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One thing to note is check and double check everything. And wash it very well, I was amazed at how much alum shavings came out of mine. They are far from "ready to assemble". Other typical clearance problems for me was pushrod clearance. Only other issues I had with fit/finish was my deck height was not even on both banks and the sleeves were slightly above the deck. I eventually sent it back to correct the deck height and sleeves and fix something I screwed up.
Customer service it top notch. Even for sending in one for repair.
Do not chase any threads with a normal tap. The use a slightly undersize tap so thread engagement is correct when warm. I chased my head stud holes and actually pulled some studs out torquing the heads. When I sent it back they put in some sort of steel thread inserts in all the holes.
Jim
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