Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience
#1583481
02/24/14 06:08 PM
02/24/14 06:08 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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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
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Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience
[Re: WadeMetzinger]
#1583482
02/24/14 06:19 PM
02/24/14 06:19 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,288 Oregon
sg66mopar
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,288
Oregon
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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.
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Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience
[Re: sg66mopar]
#1583483
02/24/14 07:23 PM
02/24/14 07:23 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,128 Salt Lake City
camastomcat
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Joined: Apr 2005
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Salt Lake City
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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.
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Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience
[Re: Mulehead]
#1583485
02/24/14 08:22 PM
02/24/14 08:22 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972 Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
Master
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Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
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Does KB build any Mopar small blocks... never seen one but I figured I'd ask thanks
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Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience
[Re: rickraw]
#1583487
02/24/14 08:38 PM
02/24/14 08:38 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972 Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
Master
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Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
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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
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Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience
[Re: MR_P_BODY]
#1583489
02/25/14 12:41 AM
02/25/14 12:41 AM
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 740 K&Q va.
BIGBLOCK_KAT
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 740
K&Q va.
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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!
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Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience
[Re: BIGBLOCK_KAT]
#1583490
02/25/14 02:49 AM
02/25/14 02:49 AM
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,646 Plymouth Meeting, PA
bigtimeauto
Trophy Winner
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Trophy Winner
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,646
Plymouth Meeting, PA
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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
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Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience
[Re: bigtimeauto]
#1583491
02/25/14 03:43 AM
02/25/14 03:43 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,397 Carson City, Nevada
Biginchmopar
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,397
Carson City, Nevada
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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!
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Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience
[Re: bigtimeauto]
#1583492
02/25/14 02:03 PM
02/25/14 02:03 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:
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.
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Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience
[Re: WadeMetzinger]
#1583495
02/25/14 06:34 PM
02/25/14 06:34 PM
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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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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.
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Re: Keith Black Aluminum block ordering experience
[Re: RodStRace]
#1583499
02/26/14 02:18 PM
02/26/14 02:18 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972 Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
Master
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Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
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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
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