New Block thread on H.A.M.B.

[Bob Johnson]

The new block thread on HAMB is getting real interesting. Tod states that he has had a block poured and is preparing to make more. He expects to have completed block later this year. I am not a member of HAMB so I can not post over there. Perhaps someone here who is a HAMB member can get Tod to post some info here. See link below to get to the HAMB thread about the new blocks.


http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=616056

[Franchise_24]

It's a pretty exciting thread and very good for the hobby.

[Turkey Broth Trading]

I saw the block at the foundry last week and Henry himself would have been proud.

[1930artdeco]

Done

Mike

[Tod]

OK, here I am. Wasn't really expecting the massive reception, but it's good to know there is interest. Fire away boys.

Tod

[Skibb]

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Welcome Tod. Am I ever happy that you are creating, manufacturing new blocks for Model A Fords. I'm not smart enough to have questions but look forward to discovering everything about your new product. Maybe not today but within the year you'll well known on the Model A Highway.

[Crazydaddyo]

There is another thread here on the barn with more info and a picture.

http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=135011

[Will Ziegler in LI NY]

Tod, welcome aboard. I like what I saw over on the hamb. Maybe you could give us a little bit of background info on yourself and post a couple pictures here for all of the A folks. Please keep us posted on your progress. Thanks for being an innovator and helping the hobby!

[Model A Man]

I hAve a ? Tod how much will a short block and or a long block cost when done . I need two. Thanks

[Tod]

Originally Posted by Model A Man

I hAve a ? Tod how much will a short block and or a long block cost when done . I need two. Thanks

Right now, I'm only going to produce blocks. I will start looking into this request with a builder and see what he thinks.

Tod

[Tod]

Originally Posted by Will Ziegler in LI NY

Tod, welcome aboard. I like what I saw over on the hamb. Maybe you could give us a little bit of background info on yourself and post a couple pictures here for all of the A folks. Please keep us posted on your progress. Thanks for being an innovator and helping the hobby!

My background is in the casting industry. 37 years. Almost every type of metal, casting process, pattern kind, CAD design, 3D CNC, machining programming, CNC repair, and a lot of other boring stuff. Aside from technical mathematics, my 6 years of university at 4 schools in 2 states is not worth talking about when it comes to my job. I have owned my own pattern shop/machine shop/ and at one time foundry for 23 years.

I will try to post some more pictures and maybe a video on Youtube of the first pour.

Tod

[Tom Wesenberg]

Will the new block be cast from the same formula as the original block?
Or is there even a better mixture to use?

I've never done any casting, but it sure looks like an interesting thing to learn.

[James Rogers]

Originally Posted by Tod

My background is in the casting industry. 37 years. Almost every type of metal, casting process, pattern kind, CAD design, 3D CNC, machining programming, CNC repair, and a lot of other boring stuff. Aside from technical mathematics, my 6 years of university at 4 schools in 2 states is not worth talking about when it comes to my job. I have owned my own pattern shop/machine shop/ and at one time foundry for 23 years.

I will try to post some more pictures and maybe a video on Youtube of the first pour.

Tod

Tod, I watch this with eagerness. I would like to get in on the ground floor and help you sell as many as possible. This is one part that is not being reproduced yet accurately but, needs to be.

[Mitch//pa]

i thought i read that the blocks were going to be sold thru snyders but i am not positive.

[Tod]

James and Mitch, I like Snyder's worldwide network as a foundation but due to secondary machining that will likely be based on a wide variety of customer needs, I may have to have a few strategically placed builders/finish machinists to meet market demand.

I'm still trying to get a feel for how many of these I need to make for a first run. Individuals are saying they want 1, or, 2, or 3, and I have not added that up yet, and it is also just talk so far. All that can happen until I make more samples and machine some is talk. But that is how we will determine demand. You know, am I going to sell a hundred of these or 2-3 hundred? A thousand? I don't know. I don't know how many Snyder can sell. Any help selling them is obviously welcome. Snyder's has been instrumental in helping my business along so I owe them my loyalty first.

Tod

[Tod]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Will the new block be cast from the same formula as the original block?
Or is there even a better mixture to use?

I've never done any casting, but it sure looks like an interesting thing to learn.

The blocks are cast with the same alloy as my 351 Clevelands. They make all kinds of power, so I think it will be fine for these blocks. The aluminum will be 356 T6 with ductile sleeves, but that is secondary to the stock iron version.

Tod

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by Tod

James and Mitch, I like Snyder's worldwide network as a foundation but due to secondary machining that will likely be based on a wide variety of customer needs, I may have to have a few strategically placed builders/finish machinists to meet market demand.

I'm still trying to get a feel for how many of these I need to make for a first run. Individuals are saying they want 1, or, 2, or 3, and I have not added that up yet, and it is also just talk so far. All that can happen until I make more samples and machine some is talk. But that is how we will determine demand. You know, am I going to sell a hundred of these or 2-3 hundred? A thousand? I don't know. I don't know how many Snyder can sell. Any help selling them is obviously welcome. Snyder's has been instrumental in helping my business along so I owe them my loyalty first.

Tod

thanks tod for getting back
there is lots of interest in this endeavor good luck

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Tod

OK, here I am. Wasn't really expecting the massive reception, but it's good to know there is interest. Fire away boys.

Tod

Hi Tod and welcome to FB. I too am glad you are coming with personal interaction with us. I guess my question is "why"? Looking at it from both an economics standpoint and a 'need' basis, what is your reasoning behind producing this?


From my perspective and experience, the supply of good cylinder case (block) cores is seemingly out there for future rebuilds providing someone is willing to work at getting them. Most professional engine rebuilders I know already have a handful of extra cores, so are they the ones asking for a new block? Now I agree that there are a few blocks (--by percentages) that have deteriorated cooling passages where replacement is best however I cannot help but ponder the thought that the perceived value when it comes time for someone to actually open their wallet to pay for this new block is possibly going to be disappointing. I hope I am wrong for your sake!!


To the group as a whole, I realize this is going to come across as me being a naysayer yet as I look at other items that have come --and now are gone, it does cause the thought of concern. A great example of this is the recent 'out-of-production' Burlington crankshaft where Chris did all the right things to create a nice product that would be considered a better engineered part over the original offering. The buzz was always how much this would improve the drivability of the Model-A and many folks seemingly offered great enthusiasm how they would buy one if offered, ....yet Chris stopped manufacturing simply because of lack of sales and ROI. Also, do we remember a few years ago where a newly manufactured Model-A transmission complete with a new case was offered yet look at the sales there too. Also consider how the new Stipe shocks are out of production now, and think about how the Brumfield was the head of choice until the market had an offering of multiple head manufacturers, ...and one went by the wayside. While I have no idea on the status of the Terry Burtz engine, it sure seems plausible to me that if there are two cylinder case manufacturers, the amount of customers who actually pay the money would be so few for each that the ROI is likely to create a financial hardship where it might follow in the same footsteps as Burlington, Stipe, Brumfield, et/al. So what am I missing?

[Tod]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

Hi Tod and welcome to FB. I too am glad you are coming with personal interaction with us. I guess my question is "why"? Looking at it from both an economics standpoint and a 'need' basis, what is your reasoning behind producing this?


From my perspective and experience, the supply of good cylinder case (block) cores is seemingly out there for future rebuilds providing someone is willing to work at getting them. Most professional engine rebuilders I know already have a handful of extra cores, so are they the ones asking for a new block? Now I agree that there are a few blocks (--by percentages) that have deteriorated cooling passages where replacement is best however I cannot help but ponder the thought that the perceived value when it comes time for someone to actually open their wallet to pay for this new block is possibly going to be disappointing. I hope I am wrong for your sake!!


To the group as a whole, I realize this is going to come across as me being a naysayer yet as I look at other items that have come --and now are gone, it does cause the thought of concern. A great example of this is the recent 'out-of-production' Burlington crankshaft where Chris did all the right things to create a nice product that would be considered a better engineered part over the original offering. The buzz was always how much this would improve the drivability of the Model-A and many folks seemingly offered great enthusiasm how they would buy one if offered, ....yet Chris stopped manufacturing simply because of lack of sales and ROI. Also, do we remember a few years ago where a newly manufactured Model-A transmission complete with a new case was offered yet look at the sales there too. Also consider how the new Stipe shocks are out of production now, and think about how the Brumfield was the head of choice until the market had an offering of multiple head manufacturers, ...and one went by the wayside. While I have no idea on the status of the Terry Burtz engine, it sure seems plausible to me that if there are two cylinder case manufacturers, the amount of customers who actually pay the money would be so few for each that the ROI is likely to create a financial hardship where it might follow in the same footsteps as Burlington, Stipe, Brumfield, et/al. So what am I missing?

OK, let's see if I can summarize:

1) There are plenty of cores available.
2) Most builders have some cores so they aren't interested in a new block.
3) Other stopped or failed parts implies the need for no new blocks (Burtz included).
4) I can't possibly make this worth my while.
5) You definitely have no use for one of my blocks.

Seems you could have just stated #5 and left it at that.

Tod

[kelley's restoration]

I want an aluminum one BAD
speedster baby
dragster
I have been planning a fed with a model a engine for a loooong time
as far as actually drilling out the bolts to see how much lighter I could make a model a engine
now with the option of a aluminum block (not a Donavon) I am giddy with excitement
tk