8BA back under way.

T

Tod

Well-known member
I finally have some time to get back on finishing the tooling design for my 8BA block. Things have been absurdly hectic the past 2 years and it looks like I may be getting a handle on it all. A couple of days ago I started back on tooling design so I can get a casting made. The delay was probably a good thing as I was able to finalize my Model A block production ideas and I will be able to integrate that process into these blocks.


While this project has been mostly on hold (though never totally stopped) I have put a few new Model A and B cylinder heads into production (including an OHV head) as well as aluminum and iron 5 main Model A blocks. I will be mostly focused on 3 main Model A blocks from here on, in that market, and the 8BA when it comes to V8 blocks. I have had many calls to get back into the 351 Cleveland but that is not something I want to do. I am excited to get back on the 8BA and will post updates as I can, probably with pictures of the model so people have an idea of what it will look like.


Tod
 
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Wow Tod, glad to see you back here with the 8BA on the front burner again. I know that several others here are also jumping at the bit to see what you have in store for us. You may have heard that they ain't makin' these things any more. DD
 
Hey Tod - none of us had forgotten about your project and you have a lot of supporters on this site.

Are you still thinking about some performance and strength improvements? I'd love to see a 3.5" bore, better ports, larger valves and a stronger main webbing. ;) And make one version out of aluminum . . . with some nice Darton or other sleeves in it.
 
Bored&Stroked said:
Hey Tod - none of us had forgotten about your project and you have a lot of supporters on this site.

Are you still thinking about some performance and strength improvements? I'd love to see a 3.5" bore, better ports, larger valves and a stronger main webbing. ;) And make one version out of aluminum . . . with some nice Darton or other sleeves in it.
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Yes to improvements. But some are saying (not here) that there are plenty of blocks still available and that this would be a waste of time. Apparently, some don't want, or need improved blocks.



Aluminum is a possibility, but iron is first.



Tod
 
Tod said:
Yes to improvements. But some are saying (not here) that there are plenty of blocks still available and that this would be a waste of time. Apparently, some don't want, or need improved blocks.

Tod
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Tod..."Some" (not here) are FULL OF IT! Many folks now-a-days are having to trash five or six blocks (or even more) to find one useable piece. You should note that the "new" French blocks are even getting scarce, because GOOD Ford blocks are VERY few and far between. YOUR block is a much-needed and welcome endeavor! DD
 
I'll take a bit of a contrarian view on block availability. Our generation has been squirreling away good blocks for the last 50 years. We are all getting older and won't last forever. I personally have 2 put away (that I'm sure I'll never use) and I know there are folks out there with a lot more. These are all going to come on the market over the next 20 or so years.

That being said, an "improved" block would have a definite advantage, and I believe that not upgrading the design (while keeping it compatible with current heads and manifolds) would be a following the wrong path.
 
Yes, glad to see your back onit. I for one woulds like to see just a stock 8ba block with simple improvements like a better intake port and thicker deck And a 3 5/16 bore. This way all the stock stuff will fit with a reasonable compression. This really helps everybody. I don't think there's much of a market for the race stuff, and they may not be legal anyway.
Gramps
 
Ol' Ron said:
Yes, glad to see your back onit. I for one woulds like to see just a stock 8ba block with simple improvements like a better intake port and thicker deck And a 3 5/16 bore. This way all the stock stuff will fit with a reasonable compression. This really helps everybody. I don't think there's much of a market for the race stuff, and they may not be legal anyway.
Gramps
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That's always been the plan.



Tod
 
KiWinUS said:
Welcome back. Watching with much intrigue.
Cheers
Tony
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Thanks. I will be meeting with my core shop to go over how I want the sand to assemble and make sure they are in the loop from the start.


My foundry is capable of doing what I need them to do.



Tod
 
Tod said:
...I have put a few new Model A and B cylinder heads into production (including an OHV head) as well as aluminum and iron 5 main Model A blocks. Tod
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Hi Tod, I've been reading along. Thanks for your effort and dedication.

How does one find more about purchasing your products?
 
Messed with the driver's side deck some, the ports and the water jacket on that side. Had one of my core shops in to go over molding and core assembly with me to make sure they approve of my process and they are fully on board.


I will be finishing this and making sand as I can over the next few months. Hope to have a sample casting by Spring.


Tod
 

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Old threads can always stand new comments.
I think an after market block would have very good sales. It doesn't matter on a race engine that we have to go through 4 or 5 blocks now to get a good one. We can live with that but it sure would make things easier for street engines.

For race engines, I doubt there will ever be much of a market for an after market block seeing as they are not legal.
The guys that go fast would still be cutting them up and welding pieces where they want them.

One alternative might be to get involved in politics and have the rules changed and that might happen when the magnetic poles of the earth swap.
 
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