[blykins]

I know it probably wasn't meant to sound that way, but this is not an engine builder experience issue. I've built more all-aluminum FE's than I can remember right now.

When you get a fresh block out of the box and it doesn't pass a pressure test, there's really not any experience that needs to be involved there....unless it involves going with another block manufacturer. However, there have been issues with all of them at one time or another.

What it comes down to for me is that I'm really not willing to be a guinea pig for new foundries or new block manufacturers, especially when I've had issues in the past. I understand that cast iron blocks are probably cast using the same foundries, but as the others have pointed out, the aluminum blocks have more of a chance for porosity.