WOW, your first post is a sales pitch?

WOW, your first post is a sales pitch?

Wow, Mr Barton don't you think maybe you should have consulted with KB corp. before posting your ad?
Just my opinion but I think you have opened a flood gate. There is a lot I would like to say. But have been advised not to!

My prayers and best wishes go out to all the guys that have had blocks on order for over a year. From what I understand over 40 paid customers.

Once they get caught up I sure wouldnt mind seeing
a alum SB or a Gen 3.. glad to hear they are are
starting to roll out

You do know that he owns KB now

Don"t think so.

Darren Beale Tim Banning Victor Bray own controlling shares. Mrs Black and Ken Black also own shares.

We will all know soon enough how this is gonna play out. So let's not alienate some of our best known suppliers unless and until they earn the beatings that Moparts is famous for dishing out.

Yea, even the Pope wouldn't stand a chance on here.

WOW, your first post is a sales pitch?

WOW, your first post is a sales pitch?

It's comments like this that make me wonder why anyone would want to share information on the board.

Thank you RBRE for updating everyone on the KB Blocks

Aluminum Small Block would be AWESOME!

I would buy two today if they had them.

Exactly why many people no longer post or share info. I'm stoked that Ray and Todd have kept us updated. Please keep the info coming.

Ok
KB is owned by the above mentioned names. Ray and myself are dealers. The decision was made to send Ray the first block off the line so that he could verify all specs and parameters were being met. Ray has the equipment to verify all quality specs are being met. As a fellow dealer I completely support this process of second checking.
The new ownership has been running the show for barely 90 days and Ray has the first of many blocks that will be leaving in the next several weeks. Yes the back ordered blocks are being handled as soon as possible but every block off the line cannot go to just the back orders ONLY. I should have my first one here very soon and I like Ray am going to comb it over very carefully to insure that all quality parameters are being met. I will not sell anyone a block I do not have full faith in.
This is a Block of the highest quality and they take time. I have tried to explain to everyone here the steps being taken to get this back on track. Like most things in life worthwhile it is hard and it will take some time. I know that people with deposits in place are anxious about the situation and with good reason. A lot of these back order situations were NOT cut and dry.
There is great progress being made and Rays post only confirms that good things are happening and more are coming rather quickly. Thank you to all the people here for your positive comments and to the customers already in line, there is a light coming and it is not the train coming to run you over.
Todd

Whoever commented about me getting flak.....In a word NO. I was completely honest with Darren and Tim and they understand completely. I sell Both kinds and so does Ray. I sell 5 different brands of heads and 3 or 4 different brands of pistons. Same with many other products. I tell the customer the facts as best I know them and let the chips fall where they may. I have two Indy blocks shipping from Indy tomorrow and three from KB when they are ready. That is what the customer requested and I try not to argue with people writing me large checks. Again thank all of you for the kind words.

As far as the Small blocks go ahhhhh don't hold your breath. It could happen I guess but I spoke with Darren about it awhile back and the amount of capital it would take to do a block from scratch would be STOUT. Not sure you could ever make that financially viable anytime soon. The Gen 3 on the other hand is a different matter but IF it happens it will not be anytime soon.
TOdd

Just a observer question: why wouldn't every block off the line go to those who paid and have been waiting first before any new orders are filled?

WOW, were you born a world class a-wipe, or were years of practice responsible for your rise to the summit???

OK
Consider this an an open invitation.
I will begin collecting names and phone numbers/emails for people interested in a R3 style small block in aluminum. Today is the Starting day of April 20. I will collect data only for 6 months. NO money or deposits or any commitments other than it will be looked at. Show me the customers and I will keep track of it.I know that there is almost zero chance of the R3 coming back in iron from Mopar. SO what are the SB guys going to do? Can we sell 100 a year? 200? Most guys (not all) that run SB dodges are in the slower bracket classes. Are there 200 plus guys a year ready to pony up the scratch? Lets find out. IF you are serious, you can email or PM me here (no phone calls on this please) and I will keep an accurate count. Spread the word to any and all that are interested, I am easy to find.

As far as the order of the blocks shipping. YES the majority of blocks that are back ordered (including mine) will be shipped as soon as possible. However, if the first 40 to 50 blocks out the door were resulting in zero cash flow, no one on the planet would invest in that business.Had this gone into a Chapter filing and gone through the court system, most if not all of the people in line would have gotten jack diddly bubkis. Happens every day in this country.
The new ownership, being interested in saving this company and its storied past, said making things right with these customers was the right thing to do and would do more to generate good will and restore faith in the product. This very easily could have been buy the company, turn off the lights and liquidate all the assets. Party over, good night and another American icon and business hits the scrap heap. I personally am grateful that Darren saw fit to fetch it out of the scrap pile and return it to its former self. Just like car guys, take a rusted out piece of scrap and turn it back to it former glory. But just like restoring a car there will be snags and setbacks. Give it a chance. Making blocks is not that easy. Making great blocks is even harder.
Todd

LOL I really don't think there is one person on this thread with skin in the game...except for maybe Todd, Ray and Myself. There are a few others on here also. It is great that they are showing us good things are happening. But for all of you against the negative post just think how you would feel being owed a block for almost two years... I really think everyone is pretty positive. Yellow Bullet might be a better place to hammer on people than here. I was told no low deck blocks are happening in the near future as for that is what I have on order. I think Todd will have much better information thou.

OK
Consider this an an open invitation.
I will begin collecting names and phone numbers/emails for people interested in a R3 style small block in aluminum. Today is the Starting day of April 20. I will collect data only for 6 months. NO money or deposits or any commitments other than it will be looked at. Show me the customers and I will keep track of it.I know that there is almost zero chance of the R3 coming back in iron from Mopar. SO what are the SB guys going to do? Can we sell 100 a year? 200? Most guys (not all) that run SB dodges are in the slower bracket classes. Are there 200 plus guys a year ready to pony up the scratch? Lets find out. IF you are serious, you can email or PM me here (no phone calls on this please) and I will keep an accurate count. Spread the word to any and all that are interested, I am easy to find.

I wasn't trying to stir the pot, I was jsut curious is all.

Although I can't see myself buying a KB block, I agree that it is a GREAT THING that this American ICON was saved.

As far as the order of the blocks shipping. YES the majority of blocks that are back ordered (including mine) will be shipped as soon as possible. However, if the first 40 to 50 blocks out the door were resulting in zero cash flow, no one on the planet would invest in that business.Had this gone into a Chapter filing and gone through the court system, most if not all of the people in line would have gotten jack diddly bubkis. Happens every day in this country.
The new ownership, being interested in saving this company and its storied past, said making things right with these customers was the right thing to do and would do more to generate good will and restore faith in the product. This very easily could have been buy the company, turn off the lights and liquidate all the assets. Party over, good night and another American icon and business hits the scrap heap. I personally am grateful that Darren saw fit to fetch it out of the scrap pile and return it to its former self. Just like car guys, take a rusted out piece of scrap and turn it back to it former glory. But just like restoring a car there will be snags and setbacks. Give it a chance. Making blocks is not that easy. Making great blocks is even harder.
Todd

Pretty awesome. Ray Barton is on moparts. Nice to hear those blocks are coming through. I'm sure people will appreciate the first hand knowledge about the quality of the blocks from a trusted source.

That sounds reasonable for a quality product.

At first I thought Wow a little on the expensive side but It seems like a very good price if you compare it to BBC aluminum blocks.


https://www.summitracing.com/int/search/part-type/engines-bare-blocks?N=4294894334%2B4294894312%2B4294894330

I'm glad there are available. But in all reality this post by RBRE is a very low blow. I've had a block on order for 2 1/2 years now, paid for in full. Tim Banner said he was waiting on sleeves. As in he wanted to order a truck load of sleeves before any blocks would be released. Now I'm even more curious who else has paid for a block and still is getting the run around. Really sours the hobby.

"Sours the hobby"??? I don't think so. Your problem is with Keith Black, the old company. They took money for products and they could not deliver. That happens on a regular basis in this country, right before they file for bankruptcy and then they get to keep the money legally. Thankfully, that did not happen. I have dealt with Tim Banning and he is a straight up guy. From what I here, the other new owners are as well. They did not have to buy the debt of the old Keith Black company. They could have let all you guys that paid money just be SOL. There is no way they could sell these blocks just like they were from the old company without checking for quality control or they would be in the same trouble. These blocks had to have some new procedures done on them to pass the strict requirements of the new owners so you would get a good block in the end. If they satisfied ALL of the backorders first for ZERO profit, then they would be out of business. So far they have not even SOLD any new blocks. Give them a chance. I applaud them for taking this big risk.

Keith Black did not go bankrupt. Ken Black and his mother still own part of the company. There for serious fraud has been taking place. Now, I'm very happy blocks are available, it's great that RBRE got one or maybe even more than one. Now my block is poured, machined, I have pics of it, the serial number assigned to it. It's been waiting on sleeves for a year now. What's so expensive about dropping in the sleeves and sending it out the door? I myself own 2 business. I've bought several and sold several business in the past. When you buy the business, you buy the debt, inventory, contracts, etc. There are always stipulations. I repeat, Keith Black did not go broke. Ken and his mother do still own a share of the company. About to go bankrupt and going bankrupt are not the same thing. If Keith Black had filed bankruptcy I would have my block. I have plenty of documents from Ken clearly saying and showing my block with the serial number 426-555. My posts were not intended to start a urinating contest.

When I inquired about a block from Ken, the price was $5500.00. That was with hydraulic oiling. I wrote my requests on the buildsheet. Sent it back and mailed a 50% deposit. I mailed it on a Thursday and then I read about all the lies about customers not getting their blocks. People waiting almost 2 years so I stopped payment on my check.
Seems the price went up quite a bit. Isn't Indy's around $5200.00 IIRC.
I'd love to own one of these blocks some day but I will wait till a bunch of blocks have shipped with success. Sammy

You will still be spending money getting an Indy block ready after it arrives for that price.

You will still be spending money getting an Indy block ready after it arrives for that price.

Perhaps....... But you'd have a block in your hands in a couple of weeks.

OK


As far as the order of the blocks shipping. YES the majority of blocks that are back ordered (including mine) will be shipped as soon as possible. However, if the first 40 to 50 blocks out the door were resulting in zero cash flow,
Todd

Nobody but you said gen 3 was right around the corner but there are plans for it

I plan on buying new underwair someday to but I'm rolling the dice these hold out another year or two.

I plan on buying new underwair someday to but I'm rolling the dice these hold out another year or two.

I never thought we would be talking underwear in the race tech section. It's come a long ways.

Back to the question FED asked, any news?
Anybody that was owed a block get one yet?

Well, when we are talking blocks, it's always a crap shoot.