GM stopping production of big block

[rdn2blazer]

Found this posted on pirate

http://www.chicagotribune.com/busine...,5745465.story

TONAWANDA, N.Y. (AP) — General Motors on Friday marked the end of the line for a class of V-8 engine that's been in production for 51 years.

The auto maker's western New York plant stopped production of the latest variation of the "big block" V-8 engines. Plant manager Steve Finch called it "the end of a remarkable era."

The big engine was developed in 1958 to keep up with the growing size and weight of American automobiles. Over the years it's been redesigned, with the latest version, the L18, going into production in 1999. Made only in Tonawanda, it powers full-size trucks like the Chevrolet Avalanche and some boats.



More info in the link

 

[Can Can]

I wonder who Mercruiser is gonna turn to for their big blocks??? Who bought the rights to the mighty GM BB????

 

[newyorkin]

Avalanche is available with a big block? That seems pretty odd.

The Camaro was resurrected. Maybe the big block will be one day. Unless diesel totally replaces it for good.

 

[Cornfield creations]

the avalanche 2002-2006 could be bought in a 3/4 ton version. only engine available for it was the 8.1, and only in the body hardware version

 

[howdiy]

They still make the other big blocks

 

[fmstruck]

Mark IV BBCs didn't debut until 1965. Just sayin'

 

[76zimmer]

Mystery motor 427 in 63' was the earliest I heard of.

 

[Cornfield creations]

The 58 348 was the earliest which was bred into the 409. In 63 they had the Z-11 option Impala with the mystery motors 427. A highly underrated 450 horsepower, which would have ruled the stock car scene in that year if they hadn't blown head gaskets before the race was over. They said that motor was closer to 550 horsepower. Only 57 made I believe. After GM decided to quit stock car racing later that year, all surplus was thrown away. Sad thing

 

[76zimmer]

The 58 348 was the earliest which was bred into the 409. In 63 they had the Z-11 option Impala with the mystery motors 427. A highly underrated 450 horsepower, which would have ruled the stock car scene in that year if they hadn't blown head gaskets before the race was over. They said that motor was closer to 550 horsepower. Only 57 made I believe. After GM decided to quit stock car racing later that year, all surplus was thrown away. Sad thing

The Mystery motor was the start of the BBC as we know it, using the BBC heads (canted valve layout), and the W type block layout. The W motors were the 348/409 blocks....and the precuser to the BBC.

 

[79rustyk10]

the Z11 was a 427 but was identical in appearance to the 409, they were in the factory lightweight cars for drag racing IIRC.

I wonder if this has anything to do with the new owners of GM?

 

[BulldogK5]

What about the BBV6 found in a lot of dump trucks? Could this be the precurser to the BBV8 as far as any technology? I am not very familiar with them so don't flame to bad.

 

[desertrat67]

You mean the 305 V6 found in the GMC trucks? Saw one at the local wrecking yard a few months ago.

 

[fmstruck]

GMC v6 truck motors bear no resemblence whatsoever to a Mark IV-Gen6 BBC. Google Images is your friend.

 

[Cornfield creations]

So question. Does that mean that they will no longer produce even a crate engine if you wanted to buy one from GMPP?

 

[76zimmer]

Are those still made in Tonawanda....seems like everything else (GM crate engines) are made in mexico now.

 

[Stomis]

There really is no need for Big Blocks anymore.... 427 LS motors for the win.

 

[blueblazes44]

There will always be a need for the BBC - if the block comes from Dart, World Products or you local 'yard. Gotta love that RAT!!

 

[BulldogK5]

Google Images is your friend.

Not really, not when you really don't care one way or the other. I was referencing the year they started producing them...like '58 or something the article said.

 

[COCHEV]

There will always be a need for the BBC - if the block comes from Dart, World Products or you local 'yard. Gotta love that RAT!!

yes! the big block engine is the best way to see the country- one gas station at a time! LOL!

i love my 454. its s a thirsty bitch tho. i think the newer diesels have pretty much phased it out tho. i had a 03 with a 8.1/alison for a while. still only got 10-12 mpg on ave, empty on the highway. round town with my foot in it was a different story...

 

[76zimmer]

yes! the big block engine is the best way to see the country- one gas station at a time! LOL!

i love my 454. its s a thirsty bitch tho. i think the newer diesels have pretty much phased it out tho. i had a 03 with a 8.1/alison for a while. still only got 10-12 mpg on ave, empty on the highway. round town with my foot in it was a different story...

AGREED.....9mpg towing