DeTomaso Mailing List: September 97, Message #5
     



From: GRR456@aol.com

Subject: Re: Siamesed SVO Block

Date: Mon, 1 Sep 1997 08:52:45 -0400 (EDT)



All,



You still have to remember that the SVO block is only ruff machined, and

there is still a lot of work that needs to be done to it. It is still a

Cleavor style block....Half Cleveland and half Windsor.  The front cover

stuff is all Windsor, and special stuff at that. It's quite hard to find just

a water pump that someone has in stock. Then try to find the rear

seal.....Depending on when the block was cast and machined...There are a

couple of different types....either  one or two piece rear seals..And all

very expensive! The timing gears themselves are Cleveland, if you use a

Cleveland type front snout (on the crank), with a Windsor length chain. So,

you have to buy the stuff separatly, and of course more expensive.  Cleveland

type pans are getting hard to find..Not too many people make them any more.

 I'm not even sure if they are machined out for starters or oil filters

anymore, since most people us these for strictly racing...Typically you would

have a bellhousing mounted starter, and a dry sump oiling system, or a remote

type filter system. One other very expensive item are the main caps..I'm not

even sure that when you buy an SVO block, that it even has the main caps,

anymore.  Before, when they did come on them, they were only ruff

machined..So you have to find a place that can Align-BORE, not just 

align-HONE, another expensive machining operation...And to top it off...They

are at least 30# heavier.



I think that J. DeRyke stated that the thinwall blocks are about the same

weight as an aluminum block...I don't think so..I have a Fontana block in my

Pantera...And when I weighed it after machining..It was about 92#....I don't

think I've ever seen a Cleveland block even close to that weight....



Regards............Gary



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