KB Blocks
#2753629
03/19/20 08:23 PM
03/19/20 08:23 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,938 Sonora CA
Mopar_Rich
OP
top fuel
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OP
top fuel
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,938
Sonora CA
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Hey Mopar people, Most of you know that I've been around Mopar big blocks for years. When I owned Mopar Engines West I specialized in HEMIs and wrote that book "How to Build Max-Performance HEMI Engines." About the same time I sold MEW to my partner - and I went off to focus on EFI - the bottom dropped out of the block vendor market. One of the most well-respected names in HEMI blocks - Keith Black was dying and would soon be dead! Then a few years back we all heard that KB was going to be resurrected, but that dragged on and on and on, as the new KB owners worked to take care of the people who have already paid for their blocks. Some just assumed they'd never see their money or a block.
I recently had a long discussion with Darren Beale the new KB CEO. I can't go through the gory details of the KB transaction but I'm here to say I was pleasantly surprised by what the "new" KB owners are doing. Darren is in Australia and the new dealer network is Tim Banning (FHO), Victor Bray (in Australia), Todd Marsh and Ray Barton with strong support from Stage-V Engineering. Bottom line: These block are actually being cast and from what I heard the quality issues of the past should be a memory. The new blocks are NEW BLOCKS designed and cast from fresh tooling with many of the problems of 30 years ago, designed out (such as cast-in lifter oiling, the way it should have always been.)
One thing you should be aware of; In the past KB would try and do whatever the customer wanted. That was never a good idea IMO. Now the blocks are being cast in bulk runs in only two versions. Street blocks and raised cam race blocks.
Okay, I'll shut up. But if you're thinking that you'd never build a Gen-2 HEMI again . . . give it a look!
Rich Nedbal fastmanefi.com
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Re: KB Blocks
[Re: tubtar]
#2753675
03/19/20 11:12 PM
03/19/20 11:12 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,228 Bend,OR USA
Cab_Burge
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,228
Bend,OR USA
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I'm hoping to have a new KB 4.500 bore wedge block by the end of this month If and when it gets here I will post my thoughts on it, my current plan is to make it a 572 C.I. pump gas motor with B1 heads
Last edited by Cab_Burge; 03/19/20 11:13 PM.
Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
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Re: KB Blocks
[Re: Cab_Burge]
#2753739
03/20/20 09:47 AM
03/20/20 09:47 AM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,102 Massillon, Ohio
cudatom
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,102
Massillon, Ohio
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Ok I'm hoping to have a new KB 4.500 bore wedge block by the end of this month If and when it gets here I will post my thoughts on it, my current plan is to make it a 572 C.I. pump gas motor with B1 heads Good luck Cab and hope your delivery is on time. I heard the same thing and it arrived 13 months later. Took 16 months from order to delivery. Hopefully if I get a break in wk I can meet with my engine builderr to sit down and discuss the build
Ok
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Re: KB Blocks
[Re: Mopar_Rich]
#2753820
03/20/20 01:23 PM
03/20/20 01:23 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,102 Massillon, Ohio
cudatom
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,102
Massillon, Ohio
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I will. The block is at Marsh Performance. I have given Todd permission to discuss anything he finds on the block that are concerns as well as stuff he is pleased with. The more info available the better to everyone. Also this is a wedge block.
Ok
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Re: KB Blocks
[Re: Cab_Burge]
#2753837
03/20/20 02:10 PM
03/20/20 02:10 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,824 Wind Gap,Pa.
Sammy
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,824
Wind Gap,Pa.
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[quote=Cab_Burge]I'm hoping to have a new KB 4.500 bore wedge block by the end of this month If and when it gets here I will post my thoughts on it, my current plan is to make it a 572 C.I. pump gas motor with B1 heads [/quote Cab why not go bigger? Everything at that size seems to cost the same. Go big or go home. ]
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Re: KB Blocks
[Re: Cab_Burge]
#2753941
03/20/20 07:57 PM
03/20/20 07:57 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,117 Chicago Blackhawks
hemicar1971
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,117
Chicago Blackhawks
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I'm hoping to have a new KB 4.500 bore wedge block by the end of this month If and when it gets here I will post my thoughts on it, my current plan is to make it a 572 C.I. pump gas motor with B1 heads When up at FHO two weeks ago picking up a Raised Cam Hemi Block there were a few RB KBs on the floor. Not sure who owned them or even if they were pre sale or if the total machining was done. A lot of doors are being shut for a while in Canada for this VIrus and Tim does not have the best record when it comes to Health might of either shut the door for a while or is working in his shop by himself. I know his Dyno shop is shut that he uses after a build so that is also holding things up. Also heard there were some part shortages like roller lifters. Cab just give Tim a call maybe he can give you the information you are looking for.
1971 HEMI E BODY REGISTRY
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Re: KB Blocks
[Re: hemicar1971]
#2753976
03/20/20 10:11 PM
03/20/20 10:11 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,228 Bend,OR USA
Cab_Burge
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,228
Bend,OR USA
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Truthfully I'm in no hurry to start this build, I have four other new complete ready to run and use pump gas motors and three cars, two that need mtors Sammy, I already had the crankshaft, rods, solid roller lifters and cam before ordering and paying half up front to lock this block deal in two years ago so that determined the C.I.. I need to get the used B1 heads done so I can check the CC and when I get the block deck height info on it I can order pistons for it to start the build. The rods are a new set of Carrillo aluminum top alcohol that I bought for this build due to the price, there a little different in length with a big wrist pin than I would normally use but do to having to have pistons made anyways I thought why not use what I can and see what pops out the other end
Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
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Re: KB Blocks
[Re: Mopar_Rich]
#2754143
03/21/20 12:07 PM
03/21/20 12:07 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,115 Byron, NY
W.I.N. Racing
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,115
Byron, NY
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Ill throw my in I for one am very happy to see things progressing with KB. The KB brand reputation was decimated and the people that took it over had a great hurdle to overcome. It looks like they are making great strides in doing so. Yes product may take longer than we may like but if the product is on par or superior to what is currently out there then its a win for the MOPAR and racers community.
'01 P1500, Blown/Inj BAE,/Veney ,Bruno/CS2,Dana 60 '01 Dodge 3500 S Cummins Auto, Fresh air kit, 4" Exhaust, '05 Dodge Magnum R/T - Too Much to list '60 Willys CJ5 '01 International LPX - Project,DT466, Allison '64 Plymouth Valiant, Inj 528 Hemi, 2spd
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Re: KB Blocks
[Re: Mopar_Rich]
#2754215
03/21/20 03:19 PM
03/21/20 03:19 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,117 Chicago Blackhawks
hemicar1971
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,117
Chicago Blackhawks
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Crap. I forgot to mention that Chuck at Best Machine is also part of the KB team. Sorry about that Chuck. I guess that will cost me a beer.
Chuck actually helped me out when I was shutting down MEW by picking up a few customers and all went well. That sets up a robust dealer network for the "new" KB .
I was wondering what happened with Best Machine but all it good now. These blocks were redesigned and are improved quite a lot over the old KBs.
1971 HEMI E BODY REGISTRY
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Re: KB Blocks
[Re: Mopar_Rich]
#2754914
03/23/20 09:54 AM
03/23/20 09:54 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,928 NC
440Jim
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,928
NC
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I recently had a long discussion with Darren Beale the new KB CEO. I can't go through the gory details of the KB transaction but I'm here to say I was pleasantly surprised by what the "new" KB owners are doing. Darren is in Australia and the new dealer network is Tim Banning (FHO), Victor Bray (in Australia), Todd Marsh and Ray Barton with strong support from Stage-V Engineering.
Rich Nedbal fastmanefi.com
I am in North Carolina, so when the blocks are actually available, I will buy one from Todd Marsh. I had one from KB back in 2014, and that new motor was sold with my Dart in 2015 since the offer price was right before I moved to NC.
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