I know I saw a few places that put display stuff on sale super cheap because they didn't want to deal with it, maybe it was end of day?

After hearing the costs they were charged to unload and bring the stuff in I am sure they would be happy to sell anything they can. One vendor who is a friend of mine was charged $700 for a four tables and a few boxes of stuff, union workers due all the loading and unloading. I talked to all of the Mopar producers who were there, two glaring omissions, KB and Chicago Connection/Bradshaw. I know the Wheatcrafts personal and they are well aware of the 2000lb gorilla in the closet and will work quickly to turn that around. Also they plan to get and keep a block inventory. Give them some time and all will see the turnaround. I have 100% confidence they will make it what it could be. They will be moving the operation to the Dayton Ohio area, so I am sure there will be some growing pains but have patience.

Is it the same wheatcraft's that own a black fastback barracuda

Yes I believe Chris told me they have 30+ cars total. But yes the black 68 is one of the many and one of the few that is juts a solid color

You mean it won't be in a hard to find shed, in an alley in the bad part of town? Great!



I believe they had the Demon that was there last year and the dragster that was there this year. If they do everything else with the same level of quality and detail as those cars, they will run a first class operation.



That's a huge racket. I had an exhibitor acquaintance tell me last year - a small package arrived there for him, UPS maybe, and a runner came to his booth and asked if he'd like to have it brought to him. No mention of money, he thought they were just doing him a favor. I think they charged him $100 to carry a small box across the hall to him.

That is the exact reason people quit using McCormick Place here.

Man, I hope your right. Heck... there is a demand for them, I can't understand why no one can make a consistent run of blocks.

A LOT of foundry issues, and one of the manufacturers has gone through an acquisition. The other was acquired what two years ago now and still has had WAY more promises than deliveries.

That and a reported investment of close to 7 figures before you have block #1 is not conducive to having anyone jump in the pool with both feet.

Assume you are talking start up costs for someone to cast blocks. Don't see ANYONE who would consider that move as I cannot imagine there is any ROI there. Not sure what kind of $$$ it took to acquire KB, cannot imagine it was that high for initial acquisition, given the issues. Not to say they do not have that money in the company now just cannot imagine initial cost was that high.

Numbers I've heard starting from a clean slate for an iron block. Certainly high 6 figures.

Pontiac has more than 1 option for blocks at a decent price in both aluminum and iron, while even !!!OLDSMOBILE!!! has an iron block available that according to one of Old's top builders I spoke with is.................."bad ass".

That you can't pick up the phone and order (then get) a quality small/big/HEMI MOPAR water block, is not only pathetic, it's enough to get a lifetime MOPAR guy (myself, for example) to build a Dart Big M Pro block with MBE Big 9 heads..........or something similar, on a future build.

A sad state of affairs that has gone on for too long.

It was a considerable amount for KB from my understanding
50 blocks were replaced on top of litigation with Ken.
Not for the faint at heart

When the World blocks were released around 2007 it was said that the "race" gray iron block (and the CGI block) was the same casting as the aluminum block (casting no 5153778). That foundry (https://www.gwcast.com/en/) is still in business.
This means that if BMP wants to, the production of iron blocks could start without to much work.
Note that the "production" casting sold by Mopar is a different one (no 5153843). Weight difference doesn't seem big though.
Both types were described in the 2009 World catalog pg 57 (http://www.hivolume.info/catalogs/WorldProducts2009_catalog.pdf).

Like I heard a lifelong Mopar guy explain when asked why his dragster has a big Big Block GM in it. "I can spend 25k and go 4.40s and not wait on it or I can spend 35k, wait, and go 4.90s."

IF I switch, I'll switch all of it. I won't put a GM engine in a Chrysler product that I own.

IF I switch, I'll switch all of it. I won't put a GM engine in a Chrysler product that I own.
^^^ ^^^ if I was to make the switch it would be all GM.

Saw a real nice '68 Camaro street roadster in Indy.

$35K for 4.90's, he is doing something VERY wrong. We went 4.60's in Vegas for less, in a mopar. But I hear what you are saying for sure..Hell I am an idiot not 4.60's in a door car with a Mopar, and NO I wont mention the cost

I sold one of my 2 cars and when the other goes, I'm relocating across countr. When I get settled in, my next car will be a 67' Chevy II with a Whipple screw GM style big block. It's painful, but I don't wanna' be in position where the foundation for a good powerpant is unobtainium. What....send a rod in an iron block and you're out of business for who knows how long??? Forget about it.

I would NEVER stick a non-MOPAR engine in a MOPAR car, so it's gotta' be the whole package and at least the Chevy II looks good and you can get a complete 65# carbon body for under 10K.

If it was just a racecar, there are plenty of good HEMI options to choose from and that would be the way I'd go, but I like to drive stupid stuff around town.