Peter J.Heizmann

Harry...Are you out there somewhere? Just wondering if you checked out Decatur Foundry, or, ? Some effort was extended by a few of us into assisting with your query, just wondering. Extend a little courtesy with a response... Would be nice for an update on your project so it retains attention and respect, of which, will continue to generate interest, especially, as you put it, there will be a problem with "casting sources" for the future hobbyist. Thanks in advance, Peter

Folks, if you purchase a copy of the "National AACA First Junior, Senior, Preservation Grand National, and, Annual Trophy Award Winners" publication from AACA National Headquarters ($4.00 in 2003), you will find it informative. It lists the car, owner, and, year of the award for all of the above categories, not just National Award Winners. (Published/Updated yearly.) In the back, is noted the National Award, the purpose of the same, the recipients. Most that I looked at list the award winners going back to 1952. Susan: The Foo-Dog Trophy (quoted from this publication)... "Awarded at the AACA Annual Meeting for an outstanding Rolls-Royce automobile entered in a National Meet judged on the basis of age, style and quality of coachwork, authenticity, appearance and mechanical condition. Award established in 1945 by former AACA President, D. Cameron Peck. The trophy is an ancient and valuable Chinese work of art." Craig: Send me a private memo with your nominated category and I'll look it up. Know you told me, but, I forgot...

Matt...Welcome to the AACA Forum. Please disregard 1937-hd and Shop Rat's uncalled for responses to your query. Wayne will be on board, hopefully soon, to handle this if he opts. Click on Regions & Chapters On-Line. Click on Florida on the map icon. Regards and welcome... Peter J. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Hi, Harry... I have been pondering this for awhile. Must have had a short circuit in the 'ole memory bank... At one time, we worked with a Marine Manifold specialty account. Marine manifolds are about the most devilish of castings (some 2-4 feet in length with very narrow cooling chambers/passageways. My company ventured into supplying the shorter length versions, a lot of researching, sampling, then, came to the realization, it was not our area of expertise. During the above exercise, our customer was dealing with Decatur Foundry, Decatur, Illinois, of whom, specialized in heavily cored castings. Go on line to "Decatur Foundry" and see what they can do. With the quantities you plan to produce, and, Decatur's utilization of wood patterns could be the solution to your project. Hope it works out. I will keep pounding the memory bank. Regards, Peter J. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Gunny... Listen to what Diz said... Trust me, I know him. Go for it...there are a lot of us on this forum already supporting you. Regards, Peter J.(SSG: MACV Group J3-12 Saigon '69-70) <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Hi, Matt...WOW! A voice from the past. Welcome back...been awhile. In the interim, stay involved here as it is the next best thing... Take care, Peter J. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Post deleted by Peter J Heizmann

Hi, Tommy... I know the RV area you are inquiring about. This year, as all years, I go by it to park around the old farmhouse and barn. The RV area is directly across from the Roller Coaster and convenience store on the corner. From what I saw, some RV's had shade, others did not. Not much of a view of the show from there, but, appeared to be a good area. Saw no RV's parked on a slope for what it is worth. As for reserving a spot there, hop onto the Hershey Region website as they are the one's who can best answer your reservation questions. On the main page, scroll down to Regions & Chapters on-line. They have a very nice website. Regards, Peter J. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

John...Welcome to the AACA Forum. An excellent source for questions such as yours, is on this AACA site. In the left column, click on Antique Automobile Club of America, click on AACA Library. The Library and Research Center has an enormous amount of information collected since 1935. There is a self explanatory questionaire form to fill out and submit to the Library. Give it a try, well worth it... Regards, Peter J. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Sorry, folks...forgot "Cores". If wood coreboxes are used, I would highly suggest "Oil Sand" cores. Should CO-2 cores be used, it is imperative that the "sugar" content be around 25%. The sugar assists in the core breaking down. With little, or, no sugar, you would have a nightmare trying to chisel out the remaining core once the casting cooled. Actually, you would be lucky to even access it in a coolant passageway, let alone chisel it out. Oil Sand cores break down nicely to create a free and clear passageway. The most desired coring method for blocks, heads, exhaust manifolds, etc., is "shell cores". The automotive guys have used them for years, as well as my plants. Shell sand breaks down nicely, generates a great finish. Cost is the question: Our shell coreboxes are all out of machined tool steel to withstand the temperatures of natural gas heat. Regards, Peter J.

Hi, Harry... In the 1940's - 50's era, phosporous in engine blocks was around .1% from what I have found. Problem with such a high level of Ph is eventual, or, the possibility of eventual cracking of the casting. (In the early 90's, my company made a mission of reducing the Ph to .01% as we had industrial casting complaints about castings cracking, either during the vibration of machining, or, actually in the field cases. It was not rampant, however, we saw a trend and took proactive measures. --Chrome: Today's engine castings incorporate a high level of chrome for the wear characteristics. As for my industrial castings, we do not want to see "any of it"!!! Difference: Our customer base is not automotive, rather, industrial pumps, gear boxes, valves, etc. Chrome in my iron would have me on the road fielding machining complaints until I die. Chrome has also changed the scrap scene for my foundries. At one time, we utilized quite a bit of broken (crushed) engine blocks and heads. As the automotive folks increased the chrome levels to unacceptable heights, we had to cease using this scrap. ASTM A-159-83: Fine in my opinion, however, with a high chrome content. You mentioned Hudson innoculating Nickel. I know nothing about this, but, the chrome scenario I mentioned. --As I mentioned earlier, I have to agree with your friend who did work for "Cat" that prints would be mandatory. If prints were not available, re: what I mentioned about "reverse engineering", of which, a sample head would have to be sectioned after the O.D. dimensions were taken, to obtain the I.D. dimensions, especially, for the internal cored passageways. --As for "raw" casting price of a cylinder head, I cannot venture to say. Foundry quotes are, in fact, time consuming, as I have done them many times. Each casting has its particulars. The molding and core machines to make the part have to be studied, size of casting and pattern to the applicable molding line, gating & risering come into play as they take up a lot of room on a pattern, the mold yield ($$$)is critical, and, so on... Pattern life (number of castings generated), all depends on the pattern material. Sand moldings is abrasive. We have metal, and, urethane patterns that have withstood 90,000-120,000 cycles on "automatic molding lines". Now, with a wood pattern, it all depends on configuration (any high profile, sharp corners would naturally wear down more quickly than a flat surface). Wood patterns, properly maintained, and, "from my experience in industrial castings", normally last about 2-300 molds in "manual molding" before major maintenance, patching, filling in fillet cracks. Wood patterns also have to be stored in a cool, dry area. Don't have to mention that the wood can warp, or, crack just hanging on a hook for a 1-2 years. Harry, I will private e-mail to you the name of one of our metallurgists, who, is extremely experienced in heavily cored castings. I am not intentionally slighting anyone reading this thread as I can not take the liberty of plastering his name and phone number all over the web. Should Harry opt to phone him, it becomes our responsiblitiy (Harry's and mine) to share the information my people can suggest on this thread to our AACA members. Regards, Peter J. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Susan...no one needs my permission to post on this website as it does not belong to me. It is owned by all of the members of the AACA. Thought your club's project to be a good example of what a Region, Chapter, or, Club can generate through hard work. Regards, Peter J. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Hi, Harry...sorry it took so long to respond. Breaking down your questions by line item: --My company has not explored re-casting/reproducing cylinder blocks. It is not within our market niche (we produce a wide range of grey iron and ductile iron castings up from ozs-to-200#. --Alloy for blocks: ASTM A-159-83. This is a Class 30 (30,000 p.s.i.) grey iron with a pealitic microstructure suitable for automotive blocks, flywheels, heads, pistons, medium duty brake drums, and, clutch plates for example. --Investment Castings: Produce a very accurate casting as compared to sand castings which have as-cast tolerances of .030 +/- up to 4" length, .045 +/- up to 6" lengths, .060 up to 12" length, and, progressive. The problem with investment castings is recouping the cost of the dies. You would have to have a large volume production run to justify it to my knowledge. --Sand castings, as we produce, I would think the best route. Our average pattern equipment runs: Metal plate with a urethane impression: $3-7,000 One corebox in urethane with wood backing: $2-5,000 (oil or gas sand) Metal plate tool steel pattern: $10-12,000 on average Cast Iron corebox: $8-10,000 (for shell cores to withstand the natural gas heat. Now, for a cylinder block, which, is heavily cored, the cost is higher. If you plan to start out with a small pace, you could look at Wood Patterns & Coreboxes. To find a foundry to run them could be a task, but, short run foundries are still around, for now. --We do not have laser in our pattern/engineering departments. Rather, we do "reverse engineering" constantly. Take a sample of a casting, take all dimensions off the casting, usually using a print, or, CAD Model provided by the customer. When the 3-D computer model is finished, it is transferred to the CNC mills and the pattern, or, corebox is cut from tool steel. We have also done this with urethanes. To cut a wax copy to be used in investment castings is a norm. However, cost. CAD Systems are great. You can have a sand casting machined out of stock to replicate it, however, again, depending on the complexities of the part, cost goes up. In all the cases I cite, except wood patterns, the engineering (modeling) time is a major cost factor. --Here is a concept, of which, worked out well for some Cord Club folks quite a few years ago: A nice gent stopped by the office holding an exhaust manifold for a Cord auto. Asked if we could reproduce it. Told him about the pattern costs and he was a little pale at that point. Suggested he go back to his fellow club members (customers in your case) and see how many people were in need of the manifold. He did his homework, having gone to other Cord owners who wanted some for possible future needs. Anyway, he came up with about 70, or, so, people, hit them for $100 each, ordered the patterns, and, we made the castings. They were a happy bunch of guys, I'll tell you. Based upon this scenario, find out how many people have a need for the cylinder heads, or, possbibly in the future. Hypothetically, you find 30-40 customers, take a down payment for their casting order to include amortizing the pattern cost into the casting cost. I do not know if any of this helps, but, it could open more dialogue. Regards, Peter J. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

glys...it is still there. Scroll down the main page that lists various forums. You will come across it easily. The Studebaker forum lists General discussion, pre-War, post war, and buy/sell categories. Regards, Peter J. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Hi, Joe... Suggestion: Post the identical question in the "Chrysler" forum, subtitle, "Plymouth". Scroll down on the main page. Have your best interest in mind. Too many times I know posts are not best answered without taking advantage of all the resources available on this website. There are, in fact, people that only read topic sites, of which, they are interested, to include ignoring the "General Forum". Regards, Peter J. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

lydia... The AACA owned website is dedicated to vehicles 25 years old and older. As you are new to the site, your offering of 2000 Dakota wheels & tires will remain here, however, please keep items for sale within the AACA's mission statement in future for sale items. Thank you for understanding... Peter J. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

OPMC...Welcome to the AACA Forum. Our sole purpose is the restoration-to, and, preservation of vehicles 25 years old and older as they left the factory. Checked out your site and it appears to be mostly "Custom" oriented, however, there are "2 choice" icons about interest in "stock". Will leave this post here for your benefit, hopefully. Should responses be 100% Custom oriented, it will be moved to keep threads within the AACA Mission Statement. On the main page, you could check out AACA "Regions and Chapters On-Line" by clicking the map that appears on Arizona. Regards, Peter J. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Still like the full cover photo and artwork on the cover...

Hi, Steve... Received my copy today. The glossy jacket is a nice touch, however, I also like the "full sized" artwork on the front and the "full sized photo" of the '61 Chevy wagon on the back cover. Should the club opt to have our magazine on the "newstand", I believe the full size route attracts attention. Nice, real nice!! Also, the flow of articles of various subjects keeps my attention. The "concise" content of subjects allows topics. Good job to all involved... Peter J. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Hi, Harry...WOW!! What a plate full. It's getting late here. I'll digest your post tomorrow and get back. I have been in the green sand foundry/machining business for 32 years and will tap my staff's resources, too. Regards, Peter J. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Hi, again, Harry... Hopefully, someone will come soon concerning the tubular radiator. As for tutorial on using this site, I did, in fact, mention it to the Internet and Moderator people. Hopefully, they will agree when tabling possible changes to the layout. For now, scroll down the main page to "Forum Technical Questions". Scroll down to a post made by Peter Gariepy, entitled: "Most Frequently Asked Questions". Regards, Peter J. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Hi, Harry... The Radiator has been discussed at length over the years. You could find a lot of tips / experiences from participants here, by clicking the "Search" block at the top of this page. Hope this helps in addition to whomever responds to your query. Regards, Peter J. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Geezmaniz23...Welcome to the AACA Forum. Snappy cited an excellent, personal scenario of what this automotive preservation "hobby" is all about. Ignore the... <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">lol...... <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> </div></div> ...and continue to post on this forum for any assistance, any time. Welcome aboard, Peter J. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

szmt...Welcome to the AACA Forum. For your "localized" query, it may be more advantageous to tap the local AACA resources. The "Tucson Region" is on-line tucsonregion@aaca.org, however, the balance would require a phone call, or, mailing. A.A.C.M.E. REGION Karen Rodgers 2901 N 80th Lane Phoenix, AZ 85033 METRO PHOENIX REGION Robert H Jackson 4839 E Winchomb Drive Scottsdale, AZ 85254 SEDONA CAR CLUB REGION Alan Moss 1015 Soldiers Pass Sedona, AZ 86336 TUCSON REGION Ronald Sotardi 3520 N Via San Juanito Tucson, AZ 85749 Regards, Peter J. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Jan, that, too is interesting. I posted the weight ratio with the thought that using both cast iron and aluminum together may not be a good idea for balance. Either iron, or, aluminum, not both in the same engine. Again, for what it is worth. Regards, Peter J. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />