Thread: The last Chevy Big Block .... :-(

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Here’s another sad sign of the times. A story in the Buffalo (NY) News daily paper makes note that today will mark the end of the assembly line at the GM plant for big block Chevy engines. The plant has been making “rat” motor style GM engines for 50 years. On Dec. 18, the last variation of the big block class of V-8 engines that have been produced at that plant since 1959, is scheduled to roll off the line.

The plant’s current V-8 production equipment was installed for the Mark V series. The V-8 was the plant’s longest-running engine line, but new trends in the auto industry made GM’s trademark automotive engine obsolete. Currently the plant's main engine line is the L850. It also makes inline 4- and 5-cylinder engines.

http://buffalo.bizjournals.com/buffa...4/daily25.htm

On a similar note, we are a Volvo Marine dealer at work. We just got a memo that says in essence Volvo can no longer produce their current 3.0 liter, 5.0 liter, or 5.7 liter engines after 1/1/2010. They can only sell ones with the new catalytic converter exhaust system installed. The old ones that used water cooled exhaust manifolds are only available until they run out, and when they are gone they are gone.

I called our engine supplier to see how that would affect our ability to buy crate motors and he said "You better send your guys to Cat School because that is all that will be available in new boats or if we do a repower once the current stock of motors is gone." We have already signed two of our guys up for that school because it uses a totally different technology.

With GM getting out of the big block market, and the small blocks being only sold with cats installed, I wonder what this will do to the crate engines we have been using for our cars? I also wonder how long it will take for it to trickle down that cars WE build after a certain date must have new equipment installed?

Glad I grew up in the 50's..........wouldn't want to be a 20 year old rodder today.

Don

well thats to bad but ..it is not the end of the world there is still many old bbc for sale and new blocks are made every day by dart world and some others was well as in alum . now if every one stop making rod and main bearings that would slow us down abit but still would not stop many building what they want

That's some crazy shit ..... I just bought(with my boss's money), for my boss '90 SS454, a 502/502 from local GM dealer. Thank goodness it's already on its way to us.

What a shame ......

REGS

I wonder if this is how guys felt when they stopped making the Ford V-8 Flathead?

Originally Posted by 34_40

I wonder if this is how guys felt when they stopped making the Ford V-8 Flathead?

well i think it is not but i could be wrong. i build a fair amount of BBC and it not the end of the BBCfar from it there more HP parts made for them and still on the top of one of the best built engine s in stock form. if that was not the case no one would make blocks, cranks, rods, pistons,cams. you can build one from 427to 632 or buy one with all new parts not one part made by GM done its a phone call away .i have built them ... flat head was not . i will say its more like the new sport compact turbo 4 bangers and the V8 guys right now that would be like the old flat head guys may have felt?? seeing that they are hear to stay but guys still build V8s. i like the bbc so i keep building and machining them for customers and me thats not going to change . but i am seeing more of the smaller 4 cylinder engine work and thats ok to.

Right on, Pat - as long as there's a desire to have them and guy's like you to build them, we'll have the big block. We might need to be a bit more "creative", but that's what makes cars and hot roddin' so much fun!

We can have it all - big block, small blocks and even the 4 and 6 bangers. I'm not quite ready for the electric variety - but believe me, in the year "2050" there will be some wicked electric rods!

Regards All and Merry Christmas!!
Glenn

[QUOTE=glennsexton;372639] I'm not quite ready for the electric variety - but believe me, in the year "2050" there will be some wicked electric rods!

Suddenly it's 2050!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Cf89tawZX8


Don

yep thats cool he took down a 454 in a 3500 or 4000 car? but ??? the batteries need a power plant to put them in a charge thats burning what ? a electric motor will make big TQ but they still are not the best bang for the buck? when its 20 below out how long will they last? is making batteries that clean ? are they as green as they make it seam?? there is other fuels to run that bbc on that maybe abit more green .i would put my money down if both cars were 3500+ with air on power evey thing and a 5 mile race a 454 could drag his car down the road side ways the MPG of the 454 would not change to much. what about the electric car ? how would the batteries hold up???

I heard Mercruiser bought rights to build the BBC's.