Video: Kirkham University Making A Billet Aluminum 427 FE Engine Block

Thanks for the kind words. We could certainly make a new transmission but we have so many other projects we are working on right now I'm not sure we would ever get to it.

David

 

Sterolithography is incredibly fascinating. I remember seeing it for the first time when I was at BYU. I had some great professors there. I will post pictures of the wood block tomorrow when I get to work.

David

 

simply AMAZING David, simply AMAZING! Being a HUGE FE fan and just having spent major money on one including a block that started out well under 4k but by the time the machine work was done that was needed to make it usable it was over 5k. ANd thats for one of the cast iron versions on the market. I have always been amazed at the workmanship coming out of your shop.. Trouble is now a BILLET FE is on my mind, darn you.. LOL

What is your maximum bore size going to be and will a 4.375 stroke fit ok?

 

That was cool...I left the Machining industry about 7 years ago now, but I still do it in the fab shop I work at..Still amazes me what comes out of machines....How big can this block be brought to? At the right price, I'd love to drop one in my 66 F100 project when it comes time..I better start saving haha

 

set that up in a 5 axis machine with 50 taper with optimized cutter paths and you could probably cut that in about 15 hrs.We could never trust the programming without running a vericut program in the work we do.Its still pretty cool what is possible in the machining world these days.

 

David,
Amazing work and a beautifull piece, but I gotta wonder... Why no additional webbing or bracing?

 

I haven't looked at the video but

SOHC compatible????

and also will stock FE intake manifolds fit with your new head design without too much mismatch in the intake ports? Are the heads going to be LR-MR-HR or tunnel port designs?

Movin/on

 

wow modern tec is grate

 

Thanks for the kind words!

We hope to be able to use a 4.375 bore and a 4.375 stroke. However, we are starting with a 4.25 x 4.25 to make sure everything works. I have had billet FE on the mind for a long time. LOL

David

 

My guess is the maximum size is 4.375 x 4.375. I have heard of people trying to use a 4.5" stroke, but I can't see how the rods won't hit the cam.

David

 

A CAT 50 and a 5 axis would certainly cut the machining time WAY down...15 hours seems about right. I am looking for a big 5 axis right now. 5 axis machines are awesome. We use a verify program from Surfcam that is really good.

David

 

Thanks. Where could we put any more webbing? I am open to any ideas to make it better. With billet we aren't locked into a casting

David

 

Stock heads will fit right on. For the first motor we will use the Edelbrock MR heads. The block will be SOHC compatible as well.

David

 

Thanks!

Yes, modern tech is a wonderful thing.

David

 

David
Your companies CoBRa has always amazed me. But a SOHC and heads? What about 429 Boss Motor? What about a set of Gurney Weslake heads for small blocks?

 

Thanks! We try to keep interesting and cool things on the burners. We won't be doing a Boss 429 any time soon. (Then again, if I can land a 5 axis mill then just about ANYTHING is possible).

We have been thinking a lot lately about billet heads. We just have to think about that one for a bit longer.

David

 

David! That is really amazing work you are doing. Thanks so much for showing the tech and being available to discuss it as well. So many companies keep the average hobbiest in the dark, it really shows how you not only respect the heritage and preservation of our vintage hot rod needs but also respect and value those of us that are your customers and students. Thanks again for including us all and being here on the H.A.M.B.

Total Perf-

 

Great stuff David. You just answered all the questions i'd posted on the You Tube video before reading this.

I hope this comes available soon and i'd love to be a guinea pig if you need drag car testing!

 

Dont get me wrong here. You guys do this for a living. I'm just pointing out what I'm perceiving from my computer monitor. My opinions could be a million miles off base.

But I would think it could benefit from a little more meat in the motor mount area. Maybe at least a couple ****resses, and a little more substantial mounting pad.

Maybe some webbing in the transitional area between the outer cylinder walls and the main skirt area to stabilize the crank, as well as some cross-hatch webbing in the bellhousing area.

Maybe even a few ****resses around each bellhousing bolt as well as the area opposite the starter.

This is, after all, the legendary 427. So you know your customers are going to expect these puppies to be capable of handling 600+ hp... I'm just thinking of beefing up those areas that are prone to crack even in cast iron blocks.

I like that you have extended the lifter bosses all the way to the valley braces. I could see how a bean counter would be tempted to shave those down a bit. Glad you didn't.

Overall, it's art. I'm very impressed.

 

David
Very cool to see. As you are doubtless aware, I do quite a few FE engines at my place. Many are probably in cars you've provided.

We've done several 4.375 square combinations, and have one Cammer coming together right now with a 4.750 stroke! It's going to take a fortune in mallory to balance, but it clears better than I expected. Pond block with a fair amount of clearance work - but easily duplicated with your package. It would never fit in a normal wedge due to cam clearance.

Are you planning to cover the coolant openings with plates? I know that the current Dart LS billet blocks do that - they are welded up by Chris Razor here in Detroit. I do not think the bolt on coolant covers worked out. BTW the Dart billet LS stuff costs twice what you are quoting.

Drop me an email or call sometime - I'd love to talk about FE stuff.

Regards
Barry R.
Survival Motorsports

 

Thanks for the kind words. I am happy to answer any questions you guys have. I figure there is so much experience here on the board we can all help each other and expand all our knowledge. Many people here know more than we will ever know on a variety of subjects. If we all help each other, we are bound to get further

David

 

We have a long line of guinea pigs The first in line is the machinist. We hope to have them available for sale in about a month. We will see how it goes.

David

 

The coolant openings will be sealed by the head--just like a modern engine. We were looking at a Honda when we noticed that is how they sealed up their motors. Honda engineers are very sharp--we figured they were on to something. I know Jack McInnis at DART. He is a great guy. One reason their blocks are twice as much (and three times as much) is they do a lot of custom machine work, bore spacing, oil pan placement, etc. on each block. I'll send you an email later today.

Thanks!

David

 

Been watching your metal shaping videos from your "university" series as well. They are GREAT! Please keep the educational videos coming! Especially the ones that us "Average Joes" can do with basic metal shaping tools!

Amazing machining work you guys are doing also!

BTW... VERY cool that you guys are doing Daytona Coupe's, now! Glad to see you guys followed through with that idea!!! Maybe one day you guys will offer just a body and/or body and ch***is package for the DIY folks...

 

Thanks so much for the kind feedback. People have asked several times why we post our "secrets." Many men in the industry (an wonder professors I had) over the years have shared their "secrets" with us and never charged us. Additionally, I have been blessed with wonderful customers who have given freely of their experience and knowledge to us. They all just wanted us to be better.

I want people to realize American manufacturing ISN'T dead and you CAN still make and build things here in the US. Even the "Average Joe" can do it. Some projects will fail, but some will take off. That is the essence of the American entrepreneurial spirit that made America great.

Hey, when I started out I didn't have but a few tools myself. The one thing I did have in great abundance, however, is curiosity and wonder. I wanted to know why and how things worked. Determination and curiosity is the real secret to success. Sometimes I think that curiosity has fallen asleep in the US. With Kirkham University I hope to re-awaken those feelings of greatness which we all know are still there lurking under the surface.

David

 

We hope to have the Coupes on line this summer. We are thinking about a more DIY package with our cars. We are thinking about putting together an ***embly video that will help our customers to more easily put the cars together by themselves.

David

 

Well said!! Bravo!!

I don't even think that "curiosity and wonder" is dead so much as just the lack of knowledge of what to DO about that curiosity and knowledge and wonder when it happens! I think educating people WITH that "curiosity and wonder" on how to follow through with it, is what will help dreams become reality.

I know for metal shaping, what Kirkham is doing to share their knowledge is what helps with the "curiosity and wonder" of metal shaping and just general good fabricating practices.

Excellent! That is ALSO great news! Will there be a 40% HAMB discount and financing available??

 

David,
if we had more people like yourself running companys and challenging manufacturing here it wouldnt be in as tough as shape its in.When i hear everybody complain about china id like to tell them its up to the people here to step up and do something about it and quit their *****in.I know first hand how they have chipped away at our market but we refuse to go away.Great work.

 

David, it's hard to do, but you need to pat yourself, and guys on the back, OK, it's easy to pat them, just not yourself!
Nice, real nice work, from another FE nut!
Eric

 

Far too many times it is easier for a company to hire a lobbyist to convince their local politician to p*** a law to protect them (and their outdated manufacturing techniques) than it is for the company to look where the real problem is...the mirror.

We need to stand up and take charge of our own destiny. I hope these videos help to encourage people to go out on a limb and try something new.

David