Chevy engine blocks origin ?

Tim H · 03-01-2016, 10:11 PM

Really interesting info, thanks to all who responded.

rx dealer · 03-01-2016, 11:12 PM

Flint, Michigan was the machining and assembly point of the small block chevy. Saginaw gray iron plant cast the blocks,Heads,Intake manifolds, cranks and connecting rods. Chevy in the hole plant in Flint on Chevrolet ave. made the cams, valves and valve train pieces. AC Delco plant in Flint on Dort hwy made the valve lifters, spark plugs, air cleaners,oil and air filters and tons of other parts..All 302 Z/28 engines, LT-1 of the 70's and and about 95% of all small blocks came from the Flint engine plant....Luke

rx dealer · 03-01-2016, 11:27 PM

Not to change the subject but every Buick V-6 and V-8 was cast and assembled in Flint, MI.

Tim H · 05-01-2018, 07:59 PM

.........

FED 387 · 05-01-2018, 08:12 PM

Possibly Toluca Mex foundry

Ed Carpenter · 05-01-2018, 08:49 PM

My dad worked at the Flint plant for 18 years.

Pat6868 · 05-02-2018, 06:39 AM

At the St.Catharines Ontario plant we assembled 1500 small block engines in an 8 hour shift using blocks cast on site in the foundry. This was mid to late 70''s.

Pat6868 · 05-02-2018, 06:21 PM

Two assembly line's, can't recall total number of workers. Iirc engines came by 3 or so a minute, we had 16 guys pushing pistons. It was 40 years ago.

Pat6868 · 05-02-2018, 08:16 PM

At St. Catharines blocks would come down line upside down. Bore size was stamped on pan rail ( A,B,C ) etc. Workers would choose matching piston-rod assembly and install main bearings. Then place in order beside engine. Then we would pop them in and install cap and nuts.

Tim H · 05-02-2018, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FED 387

Possibly Toluca Mex foundry

The Target master I am disassembling was dated '89. The block,crank,heads and pistons all marked Mexico. It was purchased about 1989 or 1990 installed briefly and then involved in an accident (write off). I am not sure of the mileage but so far it looks really clean and decent inside. Owner was a Valvoline diehard. I did notice the crank casting looks very rough and the finish almost appears as if a coarse wire wheel was used on counterweight flash.
(4 bolt main, cast crank, cast dished pistons, 993 heads, single link timing chain...)

03-01-2016, 10:11 PM	#1
Tim H VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,041 Likes: 1,071 Liked 481 Times in 158 Posts	Re: Chevy engine blocks origin ? Really interesting info, thanks to all who responded.

03-01-2016, 11:12 PM	#2
rx dealer Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lake Orion, Michigan Posts: 337 Likes: 12 Liked 53 Times in 13 Posts	Re: Chevy engine blocks origin ? Flint, Michigan was the machining and assembly point of the small block chevy. Saginaw gray iron plant cast the blocks,Heads,Intake manifolds, cranks and connecting rods. Chevy in the hole plant in Flint on Chevrolet ave. made the cams, valves and valve train pieces. AC Delco plant in Flint on Dort hwy made the valve lifters, spark plugs, air cleaners,oil and air filters and tons of other parts..All 302 Z/28 engines, LT-1 of the 70's and and about 95% of all small blocks came from the Flint engine plant....Luke Last edited by rx dealer; 03-01-2016 at 11:23 PM.

03-01-2016, 11:27 PM	#3
rx dealer Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lake Orion, Michigan Posts: 337 Likes: 12 Liked 53 Times in 13 Posts	Re: Chevy engine blocks origin ? Not to change the subject but every Buick V-6 and V-8 was cast and assembled in Flint, MI.

05-01-2018, 07:59 PM	#4
Tim H VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,041 Likes: 1,071 Liked 481 Times in 158 Posts	Re: Chevy engine blocks origin ? ......... Last edited by Tim H; 05-01-2018 at 08:02 PM. Reason: answered my own question

05-01-2018, 08:12 PM	#5
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,419 Likes: 528 Liked 332 Times in 180 Posts	Re: Chevy engine blocks origin ? Possibly Toluca Mex foundry

05-01-2018, 08:49 PM	#6
Ed Carpenter Live Reporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dripping Springs, Tx Posts: 2,709 Likes: 186 Liked 520 Times in 132 Posts	Re: Chevy engine blocks origin ? My dad worked at the Flint plant for 18 years. __________________ Ed Carpenter 2005 Chevy Cobalt A/SM Race Engine Development

05-02-2018, 06:39 AM	#7
Pat6868 Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 102 Likes: 6 Liked 88 Times in 28 Posts	Re: Chevy engine blocks origin ? At the St.Catharines Ontario plant we assembled 1500 small block engines in an 8 hour shift using blocks cast on site in the foundry. This was mid to late 70''s.

05-02-2018, 06:21 PM	#8
Pat6868 Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 102 Likes: 6 Liked 88 Times in 28 Posts	Re: Chevy engine blocks origin ? Two assembly line's, can't recall total number of workers. Iirc engines came by 3 or so a minute, we had 16 guys pushing pistons. It was 40 years ago.

05-02-2018, 08:16 PM	#9
Pat6868 Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 102 Likes: 6 Liked 88 Times in 28 Posts	Re: Chevy engine blocks origin ? At St. Catharines blocks would come down line upside down. Bore size was stamped on pan rail ( A,B,C ) etc. Workers would choose matching piston-rod assembly and install main bearings. Then place in order beside engine. Then we would pop them in and install cap and nuts.