May 2012
Cylinder Block
Since the last update in March, 6 additional castings have been poured for a total of 16 to date.
Some of the latest 6 had broken core problems without porosity and others had porosity problems without broken core problems. Even though none these castings are 100% acceptable, any of them would be good enough to be used for verification of CNC machining.
I gave a seminar at the Auburn hill climb on May 5, 2012 and displayed a cylinder block that was poured earlier in the week. This cylinder block had no porosity however the water jacket core broke free and ended up being low. John LaVoy (Model A Times) will display this cylinder block at the 2012 MAFCA National Convention.
I apologize for not attaching photos to the last update where I spoke about gating schemes B and C. The first 2 attachments show gating schemes B and C in the cope and drag patterns. Gating scheme B introduced hot iron into the driver’s side pan rail, and gating scheme C introduced hot iron around 3 sides of the casting.
The 3rd attachment is a picture of the cylinder block that was displayed at the Auburn hill-climb and will be on display at the MAFCA national convention (John LaVoy, Model A Times).
I am very happy with the new Manufacturing Manager (Mike Frank) at Lodi Iron Works. Mike is a hands on gear-head type of guy and we communicate very well. Developmental castings are now being poured in parallel (trying different things) instead of in series.
Connecting Rod, Main Caps, and Crankshaft
Good castings (1st attempt good) of these parts for the new Model A engine have been made on the automated line at Lodi Iron Works and are awaiting a good cylinder block casting so all can go together to machine shops for bids on machining.
The material used to cast these parts was Meehanite SP80 (80-55-06). This material is close to the material that is used for similar parts in modern engines. This material is also used for suspension parts and gears in new cars.
Next Update
The next update will be in about 2 months or sooner if Lodi Iron Works pours a good cylinder block casting.
Terry Burtz, Campbell, Calif.
Cylinder Block
Since the last update in March, 6 additional castings have been poured for a total of 16 to date.
Some of the latest 6 had broken core problems without porosity and others had porosity problems without broken core problems. Even though none these castings are 100% acceptable, any of them would be good enough to be used for verification of CNC machining.
I gave a seminar at the Auburn hill climb on May 5, 2012 and displayed a cylinder block that was poured earlier in the week. This cylinder block had no porosity however the water jacket core broke free and ended up being low. John LaVoy (Model A Times) will display this cylinder block at the 2012 MAFCA National Convention.
I apologize for not attaching photos to the last update where I spoke about gating schemes B and C. The first 2 attachments show gating schemes B and C in the cope and drag patterns. Gating scheme B introduced hot iron into the driver’s side pan rail, and gating scheme C introduced hot iron around 3 sides of the casting.
The 3rd attachment is a picture of the cylinder block that was displayed at the Auburn hill-climb and will be on display at the MAFCA national convention (John LaVoy, Model A Times).
I am very happy with the new Manufacturing Manager (Mike Frank) at Lodi Iron Works. Mike is a hands on gear-head type of guy and we communicate very well. Developmental castings are now being poured in parallel (trying different things) instead of in series.
Connecting Rod, Main Caps, and Crankshaft
Good castings (1st attempt good) of these parts for the new Model A engine have been made on the automated line at Lodi Iron Works and are awaiting a good cylinder block casting so all can go together to machine shops for bids on machining.
The material used to cast these parts was Meehanite SP80 (80-55-06). This material is close to the material that is used for similar parts in modern engines. This material is also used for suspension parts and gears in new cars.
Next Update
The next update will be in about 2 months or sooner if Lodi Iron Works pours a good cylinder block casting.
Terry Burtz, Campbell, Calif.
