New Model A Engine - Update from Terry Burtz

[Great Lakes Greg]

Could these also be cast in aluminum with the same molds? Just wondering.

[Special Coupe Frank]

Originally Posted by Great Lakes Greg

Could these also be cast in aluminum with the same molds? Just wondering.

Aluminum would probably need different molds, sized to deal with different shrinkage rate for Aluminum ?

[Milton]

Originally Posted by Great Lakes Greg

Could these also be cast in aluminum with the same molds? Just wondering.

Donovan does the aluminum B blocks that are referred to as Model D's.

http://www.donovanengineering.com/Bl...delDBlock.html

[dumb person]

Originally Posted by Milton

Donovan does the aluminum B blocks that are referred to as Model D's.

http://www.donovanengineering.com/Bl...delDBlock.html

Hmmm i see no price tag but would that bolt onto the model A oil pan on my existing engine?

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by dumb person

hmmm i see no price tag but would that bolt onto the model a oil pan on my existing engine?

total price of model d donovan engine, less carburetor & ignition system as of 12-2002 $16,944.28


https://fordbarn.com/forum/showpost.p...55&postcount=4

[Chris Haynes]

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Originally Posted by dumb person

Hmmm i see no price tag but would that bolt onto the model A oil pan on my existing engine?

If I recall correctly a complete Donavan engine runs close to 18 Grand.

[dumb person]

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

total price of model d donovan engine, less carburetor & ignition system as of 12-2002 $16,944.28


https://fordbarn.com/forum/showpost.p...55&postcount=4

Originally Posted by Chris Haynes

If I recall correctly a complete Donavan engine runs close to 18 Grand.

Eek, i guess i can dream. Big dreams small means.

[Bill in Al]

I'm getting real old in a hurry so I want one of his engines ASAP.

[Chris Haynes]

Still no news from Terry since February 2013.
Lord. Give me patience. But do it now!

[Chris Haynes]

Any news lately?

[hardtimes]

Hey Chris,
YEAH....BIG NEWS !!!
I'm still here ...whoohoo !
That's the good news. The bad news, is that I haven't seen any updates and that has me worried. My current 'dream' is to have two new engines, i.e.- one by Terry and one by Tod...ahh, still young enough to dream,eh

[tbirdtbird]

would it be possible to have Terry post updates and pix here on the Barn himself?

[SAJ]

A few weeks ago 6 of us from NZ spent a day with Terry and his wife Nadia.
We were shown many, many interesting projects, tools, etc at his Aladdin's Cave workshops.
I wrote an article for our Club newsletter about the visit and his progress to date and the excerpt from the newsletter is on my web page here LINK.
I have not heard from Terry since, but hope Globe Foundry is progressing with new castings.
SAJ in NZ

[Chris Haynes]

I hear that Globe did not work out. Terry is searching for a foundry that will take the time to handle his work properly and not want a kings ransom to do it. It you know anybody let him know.

[Mikeinnj]

[QUOTE=hardtimes;967231]Hey Chris,
YEAH....BIG NEWS !!!
I'm still here ...whoohoo !
That's the good news. The bad news, is that I haven't seen any updates and that has me worried. My current 'dream' is to have two new engines, i.e.- one by Terry and one by Tod...ahh, still young enough to dream,eh [/QUOT

I wonder if Terry and Todd have considered working together on the same project, sharing ideas ,resources, and experience. ?

[Mikeinnj]

Not sure Tom, but sometimes "two heads are better than one" and I am not referring to cylinder heads... from what I have read on this forum it seems that both men share the same ambition and have both experienced setbacks from time to time in their endeavors.

[hardtimes]

[QUOTE=Mikeinnj;968167]

Originally Posted by hardtimes

Hey Chris,
YEAH....BIG NEWS !!!
I'm still here ...whoohoo !
That's the good news. The bad news, is that I haven't seen any updates and that has me worried. My current 'dream' is to have two new engines, i.e.- one by Terry and one by Tod...ahh, still young enough to dream,eh [/QUOT

I wonder if Terry and Todd have considered working together on the same project, sharing ideas ,resources, and experience. ?

Hey Mike,
I doubt it, as, IMO...Tod's goal is to produce PARTS that we can work into our hobby/projects. Terry's goal is to produce a short block that we in the hobby can use. They both strive to make better equipment for us, each in their own manner from thousands of miles apart. Win/win, I say, as they both are Americans making stuff in America for us. Each walks his own path towards their goals, as we all must.

[tbirdtbird]

you may have missed the part where Tod is casting blocks and brought one to Hershey. Anyone on his email list gets pix of the blocks he has done

[Tod]

I have refrained from inserting myself into any discussion of Terry's work, since I do not appreciate discussion of his project mixed in with my threads. But since the same basic question has been asked many times, "Why not work together?", let me say that I have not been approached, and having seen updates of Terry's project, I could only offer advice at this point, which some might construe as criticism. My foundry and I could get Terry blocks but there would need to be a course correction for it to happen. Terry might not want to hear my suggestions nor care for the cost involved in getting to the goal. Since we are not really hitting the same market (in my opinion), at least yet, I would not be against working together, but that would mean I may have to fore-go any 5 main blocks and for me to do that I would need to be compensated for cutting myself out of that part of the market. Now, how do you think that would go over to anyone in business? Probably not so well. So, to answer the question, it is unlikely that we will work together because Terry has invested himself in one direction whereas, to work with me would mean a change in direction as well as an undetermined cost.

When I started working on my block I had no idea anyone else was working on one. When I found out about Terry's block, and its specs, I just proceeded, figuring we were targeting completely different customer bases. That is still my belief, except that the interest in 5 main blocks has shifted in my direction owing to the problems Terry is facing. Since the work involved in filling that market is so minimal, I would be a fool to ignore it. Just how profitable that niche can be is an unknown to me, but, for someone to put in the resources Terry has the market either has potential for great profit or terry went into it purely for the sport of it. But I am still fairly young and am in business to pay bills and make a profit. I may never get rich, but I need to stay afloat. CNC machines are expensive to own and operate and I have 6 that need to stay busy.

I hope that short explanation is not viewed as anything other than an answer to the question. I am not seeking to comment on my project at the expense of Terry or to bash anyone else. If these comments are unwanted, I will remove them myself.

Tod

[Russ/40]

Nicely put Tod. Couldn't ask for a more forthright response to the question. I wish both of you the greatest of success, and follow progress with eager anticipation.