JIMDTS Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 Just curious why did cadillac made the engine in aluminum vice cast iron Was it a cost issue, weight issue or a combination of both..I think if was made like the older engines from cast iron it would be a bullet proof engine Any thought?? Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
32v_dohc Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 Weight and better thermal properties. I think cast iron is actually cheaper but the weight savings translates to better mileage. So mostly weight. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill K Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 As I sit around and wait for my head gasket repair to be finished, I wonder the same thing. Why aluminum? Why me? The shop that is doing the repair broke their tool with which they install the timeserts. Seems it is a week wait to get one from the tool factory. I wonder if there has been a big need for these tools? The local Caddy dealer got pissed when they found out an independant shop was doing a gasket repair. They think all Cads should come to them I guess. As mentioned before, the only other car I ever had a head gasket go out on was a 1962 Buick Special with, you guessed it, an aluminum engine. Wouldnt you think that after 30 years they would either get it right or stop trying? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 My guess was to reduce weight to improve fuel economy and handling. I found this: Another reason why the Northstar is so special, is that is made completely out of aluminum. This makes the engine considerably lighter than one in cast iron. The Northstar engine weighs about 230 kg, about the same as the 4.9, despite the additional valves, camshafts and related chain-drive components. When you make a car lighter, you have less dead mass to drag with you, and you get an overall more performant machine (the so-called horsepower to weight ratio). here: http://www.draac.com/iframe-layout1/page3.html Years ago I heard something about Ceramic Engines, here is something interesting http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/1614/ Of course then you read this (page through it forward and backward: http://www.colorado.edu/MCEN/MCEN1000/starkey/sld013.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JIMDTS Posted July 19, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 Good points evryone Aluminum engines develop more thermal fatigue than a cast iron engine and the aluminum expands and contracts more so it's going to work the joints more (gaskets) The weight aluminum vs iron could not be that much maybe 200 pounds tops Just a guess about the weight but a cast iron engine would reduce the need for gasket changes due to gasket failure.. or at least improve the situation This is an interesting topic to me..Then you get into Why head bolts vs studs to hold the cyl. head many aspects of the engine design to make you think Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Logan Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 The really strange engine is the 4.9. Alum block with iron heads...strange combo..Mine went 205K with zero issues. As for the Northstar. Alum block with sleeves. The sleeves will wear much better then a standard cast iron block. No question. Logan Diagnostic LLC www.airbagcrash.com www.ledfix.com www.ledfix.com/yukontaillightrepair.html www.ledfix.com/ledreplacements.html www.ledfix.com/j42385toolrental.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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