Aluminum 427 Small Block Gen I
 

Ok, I have a question for those guys out there using a 427 SBC GEN I Block Iron or Aluminum. I am thinking about assembling an Aluminum 427 using either a Dart or World Block. This engine will be used as a daily driver and be taken on long trips, hopefully Power Tour. Can you guys give me some pros and cons to these blocks? I spoke with both tech departments and they both had good points to there products. The Dart seems to be the better block, however the Motownlite seems to be closer to a stock 400, which in the end could prove to be a better deal. The list kind of went like this.

Sorry Scott for the crude table.

.................................Dart............. ..........................Motownlite

Different Deck Heights....Yes.................................... ...No
Stock Oil Pan set up.......No (wide spread rail)................Yes....(Stock)
BBC Cam Core...............Yes............................ ...........No.....(Stock)
Stock Oil Filter..............No............................ ...........Yes.....(Stock)
Square Block................Yes.......................... .............No
Intake Height Stock.......No.................................... ....Yes....(Stock)
Stock Height Distributor..No................................... .....Yes....(Stock)
Special Head Studs........Yes.................................. .....No
Special Custom Cam.......Yes..................................... ..No Small Base Cir
Special Timing Gear........Yes................................... ....No
Weight.........................95 lbs...................................100 lbs
Billet Steel Splayed Mains.Yes......................................Yes
Material:.......................355-T6 aluminum....................357-T6 aluminum
Sleeve________________.250_______________________. 250" @ 4.155 bore
Raised Cam....................Yes........................ ..............No
Max Cubic Inch...............455 (4.185 x4.125)................434 (4.155 x 4.00)
Special Ribbing................No......................... ..............Yes

The thing that amazes me about these specs neither company thought about changing the lifter bores over to the new style (tall style) so you can use the new design lifters that are cheaper then the Retro Style lifters.

Please let me know your opinions and experiences. Thanks Guys! :D

every machinist and engine builder I've met prefers the Dart blocks over the World stuff. Nicer machining, less casting flash, better quality, and on and on.


Jody

Yea Jody that's what I've heard too, but it seems like it needs everything. Oil pan, special cam, special head bolts, special push rods ect...

Of those 2 blocks a would recommend a Dart,my personal favorite is Donovan.

Keep your tolerance tight so when it warms up to operating temp it's not to loose and rattle to death.

Has long as it's a stock spec block,everything will bolt on it,usaully when getting into the tall deck blocks is when the cam tunnel gets raised and the spread the pan rail out.

Donovan makes(used to sure to be honest) block that will except all the stock hardware

Hows the pricing of the Donovans?

About the same 3k give or take.I haven't priced a standard block in awhile.

Have you considerd Brodix?

You know I haven't. I need to look at them too. I seem to forget there are more then just 2 companys making thoses things.

Warhawk
 

Does it have to be Gen I?
World makes an aluminum LS series block called the Warhawk that accepts a 4.125" bore and costs less than the Gen I blocks. About $2K - $2500

Sorry, I confused the World aluminum block w/ GMPP's iron block. The World Block is $4K. Forget I was here. :_paranoid


Mal

The more I read on the net about aluminum the less I like it. I still want a SBC 427 though.