600 inch 850hp 460 in this months Hot Rod Magazine

[Toivo]

Originally posted by Hotfingrs
I really think you're missing something here. How many 400 engines did GM produce? Also what I've done to my current engine is not out of necessity, it was done because I wanted everything possible to make sure nothing goes wrong. I've got $15,000 in this thing, and believe a few extra dollars are well worth it.

But from your posts, you're to pro ford to understand another point of view

I'm not necessarily pro-Ford or pro-anything other than what's 'best' for the application. For 60's Fords, in my opinion, that would be the FE. Currently, for my driver, I think the GM 2.4L DOHC is the best engine around. It is all dependant on the application. I am a major, major believer in the value of power-to-weight ratios.

As for the siamese cylinder problem, I know why it exists, both in the GM 400 and the SVO blocks...trying to get the maximum bore out of a limited length of block casting. I know there were problems with the GM attempt at this with the 400. Because GM sold a large number of these engines in production cars, the flaws of the design became well-known and solutions or work-arounds were engineered. The problem was studied and for the most part, could be taken care of.

The same can not be said of any Ford siamese-cylinder engines. Most of these are available only through SVO/Ford Racing for racing purposes only. How these engines' longevity with siamese bores in street use, are affected by their designs doesn't seem to have received the same amount of time/effort/study as the production GM400 has. This has been my question. Does the siamese cylinders in SVO racing blocks cause problems in extended use on the street (and I'm not talking 20 miles or even 2,000 miles, I'm talking extended use...road trips, daily driver use). I have never gotten a good answer from someone who has actually used an SVO block in such situations/conditions.

Maybe the 600 builders can get back to us, or if there are any AL351SVO blocked engines out there, we could hear some real life experiences. Until then, the use of siamesed-cylinder blocks on the street continues to raise red flags and big question marks in my mind.

Thanks