Topic: New Block vs Seasoned block
in Forum: C3 Engines
Already a Member?
Click Here to Login
Not yet a Member?
Click Here to Register for Free!
This is just a Kebo has a question thread, nothing else...
Im seeing reputable engine builders selleing "new" motors with seasoned blocks who swear its the way to go. One of the builders I spoke to at E-town 2 weeks ago said they love the newer LT1 block to work with.
OTHER engine builders are saying new blocks are the only way to go or your playing with fire
What about heads/cam/headers on your existing short block
Thoughts?
SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)
Former Member
Send PM
Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398
Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior
If a used block is carefully inspected for flaws and is properly done, I see no reason not to use one. Rebuilders tend to think about liability...with a used block that wasn't properly selected and rebuilt they have more liability than using a new block from GM (or whomever) to pass liability along to.
Of course, different year castings can have different amounts of nickel or other ingredients that can make a block harder or otherwise more desirable as a core to use.
If reputable engine builders say "seasoned" blocks are the way to go, you can bet those blocks are carefully selected and checked before they stake their name and reputations on them.
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Bruce is right on. A "seasoned" block has gone thru all of the thermal cycles/stresses it will ever see, which means it ain't moving around anymore. Nothing will "stretch", or "move" out of alignment. NEW blocks will do that, to a point, so the machine work that was done on it 6 months ago is prolly not even close to what it would measure out at today.
Like Bruce said, too, if a seasoned block is carefully checked, it becomes a much better starting point for a build, imho. New stuff is ok...they build a ton of 'em every day. Then again, they have much better casting techniques today than they had 10-20-30 years ago...
Like Bruce said, too, if a seasoned block is carefully checked, it becomes a much better starting point for a build, imho. New stuff is ok...they build a ton of 'em every day. Then again, they have much better casting techniques today than they had 10-20-30 years ago...
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Former Member
Send PM
Mounds View, MN - USA
Joined: 5/24/2007
Posts: 1031
Vette(s): 70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe
I think everything said above is true to a point, but not nearly as much as years ago. When I was young, just after they invented the engine, it was very important to use a cured block. But I believe the technology has improved to the point that is probably all out of date now. By far the majority of high performance engine builders today use new castings. So it is probably time for us old guys to concede that newer can be better.
Larry
Larry
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
[QUOTE=VetteSpecialties]So it is probably time for us old guys to concede that newer can be better.Larry
[/QUOTE]
Hey!
Who you callin OLD?!?!? 
[/QUOTE]
Hey!
Who you callin OLD?!?!?
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Lifetime MemberHOWELL, NJ - USA
Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812
Vette(s): 1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.
Kevin, I had a "seasoned 327" from 1967 that ran 14s all day long at E Town and cruised all over NJ and Pa withot a problem. My current 406 was built on a seasoned 400 block and will hopefully run for decades to come. I also had a 69 Malibu (before my 69 SS) win a seasoned 355 that ran 13s all day long and also went back and forth between NY and Va on several occasions.
A reputable builder will check blocks carefully because they don't want anything coming back to them. And most can build better than crate motors dollar for dollar....
Find a good builder is the key as the crew above has said.
Now let me go eat my seasoned steak!!!
A reputable builder will check blocks carefully because they don't want anything coming back to them. And most can build better than crate motors dollar for dollar....
Find a good builder is the key as the crew above has said.
Now let me go eat my seasoned steak!!!
LukesVette Homepage
Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom
101st Airborne(AirAssault!)
God Bless America
Support Our Troops 
Guess I'm old also - I would probably think about a good - well checked "cured" block
That being said - I agree- new casting and technology - maybe -new is better than old.
Big Al
in Forum: C3 Engines
SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)