Any info on the build you can share

I understand casting problems and the light, but over 2 years for a block, that's just crazy. I can call Dart and get a billet water block made in about 3 months. I realize that's not cast and is all machined, BUT look at the amount of machining involved. I also realize California has cracked down on that stuff, but there has GOT to be somebody somewhere that can cast those blocks for him in a somewhat timely manner and quality

Ken did tell me that he shipped a block that was ordered after mine. So some people get them faster than others. My block is a odd duck low deck 400 mains. And yes the EPA ruined the whole deal by closing up the good foundry KB had used forever.

Some here make it sound like the EPA has so much power to just shut places down......I believe it is a very long process, with much advance notice, inspections, warnings, etc. for places to comply with regulations....

Some make it sound like they shut these places down like they are some crack house....

In another post Monte says they have been waiting for parts for over 7 months for their new engine.....and it's not a mopar.....if only them darn chevy guys weren't so cheap, there would be parts available sooner !!!!

Blame Mother Mopar with this and their dog gone patient rights. They stop everyone and everything for being produced from coffee cups to engine blocks. Dam greed and not caring about the racers has been our downfall.

It aint the EPA in this case it is Cal EPA. They are really good at closing down businesses or making a very unfriendly environment to operate in. Dealt with them for years and they have WAY to much power...

The guy who got his in January waited 18 months (25 months before now). I've been 21 months so he ordered before I did. The guy waiting 30 months has every right to be insanely pissed off especially since he's been paid in full for 8 months (I've been paid in full for 5 months). From my conversation with Ken it'll be at least six weeks if everything goes right before I get my block. I take that with a grain of salt because I was told three weeks last March. To be honest at this point I'm just praying I get a block. Assuming he's telling the truth and my block just needs sleeves I've considered having him ship me the block as is and get the sleeves sourced locally. I know i'd be paying twice but at this point I just want my fricking block.

I'm kind of double screwed because I'm also on hold for ordering a wedge block I need. I don't want to buy one if the KB deal folds because then I'll have to buy a hemi block to replace the one I didn't get. No not knowing if or when I'm getting a block is actually putting two builds on hold. If KB had gotten me a block within 12 months I would have followed up with a wedge order. As it stands now I'm planning on ordering an Indy block from Pete after I get the KB order finalized one way or another.

It's two issues. Getting a timely block and getting the block done. It took 14 months for KB to get my block but its also been another 7 months that they've had it and it's still not done. Taking 14 months to get a block I can eat because it's beyond their control but once they had a good casting I expect it on my porch within 3 months.

ok....since you seem to know exactly what is going on here......which foundry(s) did the Cal EPA "shut down" ?

Edelbrock has a foundry in Cal.....and I believe it is relatively new....how do they get away from the dreaded Cal EPA ??

Probably state of art pollution control systems. I worked at ATI specialty steel company and they just built a 1.6 billion dollar strip mill. Anything new has to be to today's standards

A MOTOR, a complete turn key, ready to go MOTOR.......not just block. And now we have it in the car and ready to go.

I get this block in 6 months. Of course:
1) It was sitting around and I had to be willing to take it as-is.
2) I had a photo of Ken with a duck (LOL)

From what I understand the old foundry was just that, old..Dust collection from machining processes can be a pain in Cali. As can bead, sand and soda blasting, my guess would be that they were not in compliance with dst collection during machining processes. Many companies in Cali are not, just get the wrong guy on the wrong day and there will be hell to pay. I am just commenting on the fact I have heard the old foundry was "shut down" by the state from a pretty reliable source. Seems to jive with what others have said here and other places as to why nothing is being turned out in a timely manor. Casting is a expensive time consuming process. Make it a Cali compliant foundry is likely all that more expensive. Edelbrock has a MUCH larger market share likely making the expense work it. Also they were not retro fitting an existing facility which can cost wa more than building a new one.


Just one tidbit. I had issues with bead blasting as it contains, or can contain unknown heavy metals. You either find a way to test all of it or comply wit the laws that exist for dealing with heavy metals or close it. In our case we closed most all the facilities doing it, was just the least costly way to go. They make it very very difficult to make old equipment, or rarely used equipment to be compliant. My guess is they chose to inspect the old foundry and found enough issues that it was not economically viable to stay in the business. Or at the very least will take time and a lot of money to make it compliant. I was a hazmat officer when I was at Travis AFB and had my share of issues and run ins with Cal Environmental people thank you...

If you have seen what ive seen down there (KB shop)you would be very worried. I too waited wayyyyyy longer than was initially told, after hearing a bunch of lies over the coarse of months I made my first trip down there,and started pressing on him...after getting my block with the decks .022" to short, and other problems.. I all I can say is I made a huge mistake in trusting kb with my thousands of hard earned money... should have bought a BA billet block, would have saved money in the long run....

I deal with every environmental agency in California and, while irritating at times, they aren't out to get anybody. Companies know the rules. Good companies aren't shut down.

I agree with that Bob, but you got to admit the laws have changed a lot over the last 20 years and compliance inspections are spotty at best, especially on smaller businesses.

So are the sleeves available or are they also a holdup? The ones in my KB block could use replacing next go-around.

Call Darton....

The sleeves are a hold up because he orders the blanks in bulk 50+ at a time and he's out but hoping to order them in three weeks.

That sounds pretty lame... if your low on something
you get your order in so you DONT run out... and now
he will order them in 3 weeks