Aluminum V10s

[Roger Ackeret]

Read the last line.
http://www.bonforums.com/powertrain/...inumuseage.htm
What do you think?

[outpost22]

What else are we going to do with the recycled beer cans [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/crazy.gif[/img]

[FL70CAT]

OH MY!! Aluminum can't be good.........LOL!!!! [img]images/icons/crazy.gif[/img]

[Roger Ackeret]

FL70CAT posted:
"Aluminum can't be good"

Well, that's what I'm trying to find out, but the silence is deafening. Tell me why aluminum can't be good. According to that article, you won't be able to buy anything but aluminum engines from Ford in the future. It doesn't mention diesel.

I understand Ford changed that 2.3L engine in the Rangers over to aluminum, I think this year. But I'm unable to find out anything about how they are performing. Also unable to find anything on the web and the fleet dealer I bought from said he hadn't heard anything.

[Fritzmaster]

FL70CAT, over in the general diesel forum, you're all enthusiastic about aluminum diesel engines, and here it's a bad idea. Why the change of opinion?

I would think gas applications lend themselves more easily to aluminum than diesel, not that aluminum diesels would be bad, if properly designed and maintained.

Lot of all aluminum engines out there. Bottom line is power to weight ratio. lighter is better, just as long as it's strong enough to stand up to some abuse. Look at modern motorcycle engines. Most put out way more than 100HP/Liter, and get the snot wrung out of them continuously. No problem.

With all that being said, I will observe for awhile to see how it pans out.

[fordv-10]

If Ford offers the V-10 with an aluminum block to match the aluminum heads then I will be at my dealer ordering one ASAP.This thing about aluminum blocks is going to be better less weight on front end etc, besides if Ford did offer it I hope they bolt the main caps in like the 32valve Cobra motor(2vertical main bolts and 4 horizonital main bolts). If they go aluminum I will buy 1 to put in my 97 Mustang GT.

[Eric Shaunfield]

It seems that the use of aluminum and other weight saving metals (and composites) is the future of the auto industry. With ever tightening fuel economy standards and wanting more for less we can only expect to see changes in automotive design and engineering.

Look at all the small Japanese and European imports running around. Most if not all use aluminum for the engine block, heads, transmission housing, and in front wheel drive applications the differential. Granted they are not working as hard as a pickup but they have proven that aluminum can work when well designed and engineered. Personally I would rather see an engine that is aluminum from top to bottom than one that uses several different materials. Disimilar metals have different expansion rates so if you overheat an iron block w/aluminum heads you literally blow a gasket. Not to say that an all aluminum engine would take such extreme abuse better but it is the same material throughout so at least the deck isn't stacked aginst it. With today's advancement in engine controls aluminum is a shining star in its low weight, ability to disperse heat (faster then iron), and increasingly competetive cost.

Think of the possibilitiy of an engine that makes just as much power with 1/3 the weight. Right there you have increased the payload and saved the wear and tear on brakes, suspension components, etc.

Just my two sense
-Eric

[Black Beauty]

GM's Corvette motor is all aluminum. GM's new L6/L5/L4 motor (L6 is the only one out right now) is all aluminum. Aluminum is the future for gas engines. In each case the motors use steel liners in the cylinders, so the contact surface is still steel.