Cascade Crew

chevymad · Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2009 11:54 pm Post subject: End of an era

Just read this on a pontiac forum. There was no link to the original article but here's a cut and paste.

GM discontinues Chevrolet big block production

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Yes I know, it's not Pontiac related, but still a sad day. I wonder what they'll be using in the big fleet trucks now?

GM Tonawanda pulls plug on V-8 Business First of Buffalo

The end of the line — and end of an era — has arrived for what has been a staple product for more than 50 years at the General Motors Tonawanda engine plant.

On Friday, Dec. 18 the last variation of the “big block” class of V-8 engines that were made since 1959, is scheduled to roll off the line.

A late morning ceremony is planned to primarily honor those of the plant’s more than 800 employees who worked on the latest version, which has been produced since 1999.

The big engine was developed in the U.S. during the 1950s and 1960s and was used to power millions of Chevrolet vehicles over the years.

“As American automobiles grew in size and weight the engines powering them had to keep pace,” said Nina Price, a spokeswoman for the local plant.

The first big block V-8 engine, the W-Series, was first produced in 1958 with the next version, the Mark IV series, being introduced in 1965.

“Following this was the Mark V series big block V-8, which started production in 1989, and finally the L18 V-8 (Vortec 8100) engine started production in 1999,” Price said.

The plant’s current V-8 production equipment was installed for the Mark V series, Price said.

The V-8 was the plant’s longest-running engine line, but new trends in the auto industry made GM’s trademark automotive engine obsolete.

Currently the plant's main engine line is the L850. It also makes inline 4- and 5-cylinder engines.

chevymad · Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 9:55 am Post subject:

Found a link

http://buffalo.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2009/12/14/daily25.html

BigDaddyVu · Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 12:57 pm Post subject:

Duramax is replacing the BBC

aaron_sK · Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 1:00 pm Post subject:

It doesn't make alot of sense to buy a big gasser truck nowadays when diesel engines are powerful, and diesel fuel costs about as much as mid-grade.

I can see why the General's bean counters pulled the plug on them.

chevymad · Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 5:59 pm Post subject:

I saw another article where Volvo Penta has bought enough 8100s to last til the end of next year. Lots of big blocks in marine apps. The other big problem with the diesels though is the $7k buy in. If you need to pull something now you have to buy a $50k truck.

Jason_Culbertson · Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 12:15 pm Post subject:

man that sucks

Boostd1 · Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 2:10 pm Post subject:

iansane · Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 3:50 pm Post subject:

Sad day.

It's hard to beat the sound of a BBC at wide open throttle.

chevymad · Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 4:29 pm Post subject:

There's a rumor Mercruiser is trying to buy the molds and tooling. Also theres always Dart.

But still means the era of buying cheap used bb's may be coming to an end.

dlp · Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 8:14 pm Post subject:

Mercruiser has the capability to pick up the molds and make the engines. I cant see GM walking away from the lucrative marine market though.

RSFreak · Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 10:51 pm Post subject:

My buddy has a mid '80s Suburban with a 454. That thing is badass! If you need to haul something, go pre-owned! Very Happy

iansane · Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 11:00 am Post subject:

RSFreak · Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 5:48 pm Post subject:

I suggested that! Its kinda like "the other white meat"! Very Happy

chevymad · Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 5:49 pm Post subject:

Or a porta-schultz...

Twilightoptics · Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 6:12 pm Post subject:

And when did they stop making the Gen1 SBC?

Who needs a BBC when there's an LS next door?

aaron_sK · Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 6:14 pm Post subject:

iansane · Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 6:17 pm Post subject:

chevymad · Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 6:38 pm Post subject:

Try driving a fully loaded service truck, or small dump truck with the LS.. I've worked on a few service trucks that are loaded with welders and all kinds of stuff. The 6.0 runs out of steam with that kind of load. More gear would probably make up for that. The bb just packs it around. Even though they don't have the hp they seem to be able to move about anything.

I see markets for the bb still, but I think they've become a niche. Most people are just pulling their boat around, no need for a 8.1 then. But real work trucks could still use it. Duramax will do that job, but theres reasons people don't want a diesel still too.

Anyway, not trying to argue that gm should keep them. Evidently the niche is too small for their production size. More pointing out that the worlds moved on.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 6:51 pm Post subject:

I'm thinking BB LSx

chevymad · Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 6:52 pm Post subject:

Nice thought.. I doubt gm has a new bb in the wings.. but that would be cool.