Detroit "Big-3" question?

ss wannabee · 10-25-2012, 09:36 AM

Back in the '60's or so, would anybody know how long it took for a production
engine to go from the raw casting of the parts until it finally fired up?

In terms of weeks...maybe months?

Did these engines usually get "test-fired" before installation? Or when the car left the
line?

Maybe high-perf engines got a little more TLC in the process...than let's say the basic
352-2bbl in your dad's Country Squire?

Which of the "Big-3" was best at getting this done?

James L Miller · 10-25-2012, 11:16 AM

I can't remember the specific time frame, but the 426 Hemi was done in around 4-6 months from "Go" to debuting at the Daytona 500 and finished 1-2-3. I recall reading they needed to make last minute changes to the cylinder cores as the walls were splitting on the dyno. I have a friend that has a very early 426 Hemi prototype block that looks like a 426 MW AAQA casting with the drain back holes added manually in the cores.

Steve1118 · 10-25-2012, 11:30 AM

Jim, Tom Hoover has some interesting stories on this. He tells me that they they decided the project was a go in August, 1963, and tested the first prototypes around Christmas. Tremendous for that time period.

He also told me they were splitting the cylinder walls in early Daytona SpeedWeek action, and that they loaded a couple of pickup trucks with new, improved blocks, and drove all night from Detroit to Daytona early in the week to replace them. The rest is history.

Cool stuff.

I know for the drag version, they never could get the Carter AFB's to work on the Hemi Crossram for whatever reason. That prompted the mid 64 switch to Holleys.

Liteweight · 10-25-2012, 09:05 PM

Great stories Steve. Right from the big guy too.

Thanx for sharing

liteweight

BlueOval Ralph · 10-26-2012, 09:27 AM

Ford was Very good at getting castings done in short order there was a iron foundry at the Rouge complex if you look at most of the race parts they have DF logo for Dearborn Foundry the other was CF for Cleveland Foundry

Hemi Moose · 10-30-2012, 09:00 PM

Anyone know some of the other foundries used by GM Ford & Chrysler...I'm guessing that the Buick Olds Pontiac castings were from some of the same plants or foundries as Chevrolet engines.

ss wannabee · 10-30-2012, 09:37 PM

Great stories guys...thanks! But I was thinking mainly about cars built on the
assembly lines and sold to the general public...

Again...any idea of the time frame from when the block and heads, etc. were casted
until the key was turned on...and the car was driven out of the plant?

Hemi Moose...I think the Flint GM engine plant was where many Chevrolet engines
were built including the legendary "409"...also Tonawanda...which is noted for the
BBC engines. I would think that either location would HAVE to have a foundry there
as well....

Would think that Flint would have a hand in BOP engine production also...wasn't
there a large Buick assembly plant there back in the day called "Buick City?"

10-25-2012, 09:36 AM	#1
ss wannabee Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 663 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Detroit "Big-3" question? Back in the '60's or so, would anybody know how long it took for a production engine to go from the raw casting of the parts until it finally fired up? In terms of weeks...maybe months? Did these engines usually get "test-fired" before installation? Or when the car left the line? Maybe high-perf engines got a little more TLC in the process...than let's say the basic 352-2bbl in your dad's Country Squire? Which of the "Big-3" was best at getting this done?

10-25-2012, 11:16 AM	#2
James L Miller Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 495 Likes: 6 Liked 24 Times in 15 Posts	Re: Detroit "Big-3" question? I can't remember the specific time frame, but the 426 Hemi was done in around 4-6 months from "Go" to debuting at the Daytona 500 and finished 1-2-3. I recall reading they needed to make last minute changes to the cylinder cores as the walls were splitting on the dyno. I have a friend that has a very early 426 Hemi prototype block that looks like a 426 MW AAQA casting with the drain back holes added manually in the cores. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Mopar 2 Ya!

10-25-2012, 11:30 AM	#3
Steve1118 Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Walton's Mountain Posts: 118 Likes: 2 Liked 13 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Detroit "Big-3" question? Jim, Tom Hoover has some interesting stories on this. He tells me that they they decided the project was a go in August, 1963, and tested the first prototypes around Christmas. Tremendous for that time period. He also told me they were splitting the cylinder walls in early Daytona SpeedWeek action, and that they loaded a couple of pickup trucks with new, improved blocks, and drove all night from Detroit to Daytona early in the week to replace them. The rest is history. Cool stuff. I know for the drag version, they never could get the Carter AFB's to work on the Hemi Crossram for whatever reason. That prompted the mid 64 switch to Holleys.

10-25-2012, 09:05 PM	#4
Liteweight VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,280 Likes: 23 Liked 31 Times in 19 Posts	Re: Detroit "Big-3" question? Great stories Steve. Right from the big guy too. Thanx for sharing liteweight

10-26-2012, 09:27 AM	#5
BlueOval Ralph Banned Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 852 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Detroit "Big-3" question? Ford was Very good at getting castings done in short order there was a iron foundry at the Rouge complex if you look at most of the race parts they have DF logo for Dearborn Foundry the other was CF for Cleveland Foundry Last edited by BlueOval Ralph; 10-27-2012 at 03:05 PM.

10-30-2012, 09:00 PM	#6
Hemi Moose VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 2,824 Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts	Re: Detroit "Big-3" question? Anyone know some of the other foundries used by GM Ford & Chrysler...I'm guessing that the Buick Olds Pontiac castings were from some of the same plants or foundries as Chevrolet engines.

10-30-2012, 09:37 PM	#7
ss wannabee Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 663 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Detroit "Big-3" question? Great stories guys...thanks! But I was thinking mainly about cars built on the assembly lines and sold to the general public... Again...any idea of the time frame from when the block and heads, etc. were casted until the key was turned on...and the car was driven out of the plant? Hemi Moose...I think the Flint GM engine plant was where many Chevrolet engines were built including the legendary "409"...also Tonawanda...which is noted for the BBC engines. I would think that either location would HAVE to have a foundry there as well.... Would think that Flint would have a hand in BOP engine production also...wasn't there a large Buick assembly plant there back in the day called "Buick City?"