Aluminum block

[Morgan Wright]

I find it amazing that aluminum was used in crank cases the 1910's when it was still almost a rare metal.

 

Look how little aluminum was refined in those days:

 

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Edited December 5, 2020 by Morgan Wright (see edit history)

[Layden B]

It was in the infancy of development and the quality of aluminum castings showed that. Brittle, not vey strong, porous, prone to corrosion, etc. Also expensive to refine.

But the weight savings was substantial not in just engine crankcases but transmission case and more.

 

[Robert Engle]

Material cost was higher, but casting costs were much lower.

 

I've cast some simple aluminum parts at home.  Something I would never try with cast iron.

 

Bob Engle

[Morgan Wright]

50 minutes ago, Robert Engle said:

Material cost was higher, but casting costs were much lower.

 

I've cast some simple aluminum parts at home.  Something I would never try with cast iron.

 

Bob Engle

 

I used to work in an aluminum castings factory. It was really simple to melt the aluminum and pour it into the molds. Nothing like an iron foundry. The aluminum was orange when they poured it, nothing like the white hot of steel.