What's Wrong With This Picture: The Last Of The Big-Block Chevys Edition
Published: December 23rd, 2009
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The last Chevy big-block, an L18, rolled off the line at Tonawanda, NY last Friday, bringing the era of the big-block V8 to an end. Tonawanda produced over five million big-block V8s since 1958 [via Buffalo News].
More by Edward Niedermeyer
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BD: You are certainly welcome! The pre-1992 small block, also known as SBI (small block one) has been produced at a foundry in Mexico for awhile. My understanding is that the "distributor-carburetor" based engines of the past all come from the Mexican foundry while Tonawanda is for "production"engines.
"Chevy’s biggest 3500HD truck only has a 6-liter small block with 360HP and 380 ft-lb. Sounds anemic." Anemic?
A sad day indeed and I wonder if this a wise move. Probably the cheapest thing you can put in a heavy duty truck is gasoline. The rat motor was a proven torque monster that could take any kind of abuse you could throw at it and still run forever. Modern diesels are not nearly as forgiving. First, there is the extra initial cost, often upward of $10,0000. Then there is the enormous cost of repair after warranty. I have not seen much of a cost benefit of a Durmax (or Power Stroke of Cummins) over a big block gasoline motor. A friend of mine tows heavy stuff. He tried all the diesel pick ups and came to the conclusion that one does not want one after the warranty is up. He now tows heavy equipment on a 5th wheel low bed with a Silverado 8.1 litre. Sure, it uses 30% fuel than a Durmax but in four years and 150,000 km it has not missed one day of work.
Unless my memory and GM Parts experience is failing me, the early prior to '58 truck only 322 engine was based on a Buick design, and shared no parts (or appearance) with the '58 and on - 'W' 348 or later 409s used in MD trucks, Chev car and Canadian Pontiacs.