The End of the Tonawanda Big Block
12-16-2009, 02:27 PM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Member Since: Apr 2004
Location: Grand Island NY
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The End of the Tonawanda Big Block
The end of the line — and end of an era — has arrived for what has been a staple product for more than 50 years at the General Motors Tonawanda engine plant.
On Friday, Dec. 18 the last variation of the “big block” class of V-8 engines that were made since 1959, is scheduled to roll off the line.
A late morning ceremony is planned to mark the occasion and honor the plant’s more than 800 hourly and salaried employees.
The big engine was developed in the U.S. during the 1950s and 1960s and was used to power millions of Chevrolet vehicles over the years.
“As American automobiles grew in size and weight the engines powering them had to keep pace,” said Nina Price, a spokeswoman for the local plant.
The first big block V-8 engine, the W-Series, was first produced in 1958 with the next version, the Mark IV series, being introduced in 1965.
“Following this was the Mark V series big block V-8, which started production in 1989, and finally the L18 V-8 (Vortec 8100) engine started production in 1999,” Price said.
The plant’s current V-8 production equipment was installed for the Mark V series, Price said.
The V-8 was the plant’s longest-running engine line, but new trends in the auto industry made GM’s trademark automotive engine obsolete.
The plant’s current main engine line is the inline 4-cylinder that is used in the HHR and Chevrolet Cobalt.
On Friday, Dec. 18 the last variation of the “big block” class of V-8 engines that were made since 1959, is scheduled to roll off the line.
A late morning ceremony is planned to mark the occasion and honor the plant’s more than 800 hourly and salaried employees.
The big engine was developed in the U.S. during the 1950s and 1960s and was used to power millions of Chevrolet vehicles over the years.
“As American automobiles grew in size and weight the engines powering them had to keep pace,” said Nina Price, a spokeswoman for the local plant.
The first big block V-8 engine, the W-Series, was first produced in 1958 with the next version, the Mark IV series, being introduced in 1965.
“Following this was the Mark V series big block V-8, which started production in 1989, and finally the L18 V-8 (Vortec 8100) engine started production in 1999,” Price said.
The plant’s current V-8 production equipment was installed for the Mark V series, Price said.
The V-8 was the plant’s longest-running engine line, but new trends in the auto industry made GM’s trademark automotive engine obsolete.
The plant’s current main engine line is the inline 4-cylinder that is used in the HHR and Chevrolet Cobalt.
12-16-2009, 03:04 PM
#2
Le Mans Master
A sad day indeed. As they say, All good things come to an end.
I can see why they are doing this. At least there's millions of blocks out there that can be used for a long time to come.
I can see why they are doing this. At least there's millions of blocks out there that can be used for a long time to come.
12-16-2009, 07:27 PM
#3
Le Mans Master
And in addition to the factory blocks out there, it's been a popular enough engine that there's a whole stack of aftermarket blocks too --cast iron AND aluminum!!
12-16-2009, 10:06 PM
#9
Drifting
Member Since: May 2006
Location: Seattle Wash.
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"The plant’s current main engine line is the inline 4-cylinder that is used in the HHR and Chevrolet Cobalt"
At least they're still producing the snappy little 4 cylinder [sarcasm]
At least they're still producing the snappy little 4 cylinder [sarcasm]
12-16-2009, 11:25 PM
#11
GM Cert Corvette Tech
Pro Mechanic
12-17-2009, 04:08 PM
#12
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Mar 2007
Location: Frederick Maryland
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes
on
10 Posts
Small block crate engines are cast in a GM foundry in Mexico. It would be logical to believe that big block crate engines already are or will be cast there as well.
12-17-2009, 04:54 PM
#13
Le Mans Master
Glad the plant will stay open, but boy after what they've made for so many years, that's shameful. Made me wince a bit when I read that
12-17-2009, 08:45 PM
#15
Race Director
Nothing that we didn't see coming. Just another sobering reminder of where we were and where we're headed............
12-18-2009, 09:43 PM
#17
Melting Slicks
i think our big blocks just went up in value.
12-18-2009, 10:27 PM
#18
Burning Brakes
Thanks for the post
Made the news:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...UQrFAD9CLSDOG0
Just some history:
http://www.uaw774.com/index.php?opti...=85&Itemid=130
I have walked that plant from end to end in the past 20 years. It is sad to see how it has changed. The Tonawanda plant was the largest engine plant at one time. They started with big Twin Row Air Cooled Radials for WWII Planes.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...UQrFAD9CLSDOG0
Just some history:
http://www.uaw774.com/index.php?opti...=85&Itemid=130
I have walked that plant from end to end in the past 20 years. It is sad to see how it has changed. The Tonawanda plant was the largest engine plant at one time. They started with big Twin Row Air Cooled Radials for WWII Planes.
12-18-2009, 10:37 PM
#19
Safety Car
One of my fellow C2 posters put in a link to the story in this forum and in the C6 forum. The reaction in here to the end of the big blocks was pretty much in line with over in C2-land. The C6ers were kind of don't give a damn, as you might expect. They don't quite think we own Corvettes, at least the ones that don't also have a C2 or C3. One poster even put up a link to an LSA engine catalog page. 372 cubic inches supercharged and it squeezes out 600 HP and change. Whooptie doo!
So I gave 'em this link to let 'em know that whatever happens at Tonawanda, rat motors still RULE!
http://www.worldcastings.com/product...e-engines.html
Heck, it's even got a carburetor and a distributor so us gray headed old geezers can even tune 'em.
So I gave 'em this link to let 'em know that whatever happens at Tonawanda, rat motors still RULE!
http://www.worldcastings.com/product...e-engines.html
Heck, it's even got a carburetor and a distributor so us gray headed old geezers can even tune 'em.
12-18-2009, 10:46 PM
#20
Safety Car
To answer your question, it may be the end of GM big block crate motors, but there are a number of aftermarket suppliers that produce every part for a Mk IV engine. Rats will be running strong for a while yet.
I'm waiting for World Castings or somebody to wise up and produce GM Restoration Parts blocks and heads with original casting numbers and dates but using modern casting procedures for much better quality. I know that'll start a firestorm on the C2 forum, but damn, I'd buy a repro 942 block and 858 heads (cast with modern combustion chambers) in a New York minute. Why pay 6-7 grand for an original block when you can get a new one for half that and its a much more durable piece, to boot? That and God help you if you use the word "restamp" in the C2 room. Even NCRS recognizes restamps as long as they are properly identified as such.
I'm waiting for World Castings or somebody to wise up and produce GM Restoration Parts blocks and heads with original casting numbers and dates but using modern casting procedures for much better quality. I know that'll start a firestorm on the C2 forum, but damn, I'd buy a repro 942 block and 858 heads (cast with modern combustion chambers) in a New York minute. Why pay 6-7 grand for an original block when you can get a new one for half that and its a much more durable piece, to boot? That and God help you if you use the word "restamp" in the C2 room. Even NCRS recognizes restamps as long as they are properly identified as such.