Who makes the best block?
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 3
From: NORTHEAST
We machine alot of after market blocks for our engine shop and other engine shops all over and we have stopped dealing with the World blocks as there have been to many issues with them and and Bll Mitchell does not back up his product.
The better block is the Dart as it requires line honing, decking,clearance the lifter bores, boring and plate honing.
We blue print bore the cam tunnels for over size bearings and roller bearings and we also blue print machine the lifter bores for oversize lifters or bush back to standard.
The Bowtie block is a nice peice as well and there Sportmans block is very reasonably priced.
The better block is the Dart as it requires line honing, decking,clearance the lifter bores, boring and plate honing.
We blue print bore the cam tunnels for over size bearings and roller bearings and we also blue print machine the lifter bores for oversize lifters or bush back to standard.
The Bowtie block is a nice peice as well and there Sportmans block is very reasonably priced.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,015
Likes: 2,260
From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
I have a Merlin II in my car...and it was a great piece. Things were machined well. Deck was high and we cut it..but otherwise it was fine.
I've dealt with a couple of Dart's lately and I really think they are probably the best deal out there right now.
If you can find a CNC Bowtie...they are good too.
I've heard of issues with all 3, but overall the odds are good in all cases.
JIM
I've dealt with a couple of Dart's lately and I really think they are probably the best deal out there right now.
If you can find a CNC Bowtie...they are good too.
I've heard of issues with all 3, but overall the odds are good in all cases.
JIM
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 431
From: Dale City VA
As far blocks go there is absolutley no competition in my experience. Hands down Donovan makes the nicest alum engine block money can buy. Funny thing is they have been for many, many years. We have been using them since the early 90's.
http://www.donovanengineering.com/Bl...ineBlocks.html
http://www.donovanengineering.com/Blocks/BigBlock.html
I have in the past also used many Rodecks (both big and small block)and recently a Brodix (which was actually very nice). Actually I can't count the number of Rodecks my dad blew up in the early 80's in his boat... not due to the block thou (no revlimiter on a 582 inch injected drag boat motor is always a bad idea). Something about the alloy used in a Rodeck makes it very hard to repair, very, very finiky about welding.
We also recently got a World small block in the shop in which a Jesel belt drive wouldn't fit without some major modification to the front of it. Why they desgined it like that I don't know, real PITA thou... like we didn't have enough work to do fixing all their screw ups as it was. The factory machine work was very sub par and Worlds tech help must have been affected badly by the recent unrest in Pakistan. We certainly won't use any more of them.
Will
http://www.donovanengineering.com/Bl...ineBlocks.html
http://www.donovanengineering.com/Blocks/BigBlock.html
I have in the past also used many Rodecks (both big and small block)and recently a Brodix (which was actually very nice). Actually I can't count the number of Rodecks my dad blew up in the early 80's in his boat... not due to the block thou (no revlimiter on a 582 inch injected drag boat motor is always a bad idea). Something about the alloy used in a Rodeck makes it very hard to repair, very, very finiky about welding.
We also recently got a World small block in the shop in which a Jesel belt drive wouldn't fit without some major modification to the front of it. Why they desgined it like that I don't know, real PITA thou... like we didn't have enough work to do fixing all their screw ups as it was. The factory machine work was very sub par and Worlds tech help must have been affected badly by the recent unrest in Pakistan. We certainly won't use any more of them.
Will
