I was reading around and it seemed that there may be issues with aluminum block when it comes to heavy water and mud. I was trying to find some more info on google about this, but wasn't able to find much. Can anyone elaborate on this or put the claim to rest?

 

I've heard some theoretical talk, but never anything concrete. I think with the volume of coolant running through the block, any shock-cooling effects would be pretty much eliminated.

 

ive always played by the rule never quickly submerge a hot engine into any kind of water....better safe then sorry in my oppinion.

though, look through youtube, people do it all the time and nothing ever seems to crack

 

Thanks for the info, am just looking for a lightweight swap with power and was hoping I could go with aluminum as to not weigh down the truck in the front too much. This is of course something that will happen in the future as I am just finishing up my 20r/22r engine at the moment that will get me through until my next swap.

 

if u have a good and hot aluminum block and thow cold water on it u got a cracked block they dont like it at all!!

 

yeah im with four linked on that, aluminum doesnt like being cooled to quickly

 

Yeah but neither does cast iron. Im no chemist but i think aluminum has a better shock tollerance than cast iron

 

The only thing you have to worry about with an alumminum block is they don't like over heating. Aluminum engine blocks (Chevy anyway) like running cool and if you go over 205degrees you will start to have a problem. I have aluminum block Chevys in my street rods and I run Taurus 2 speed fans, engine oil coolers and 180 degree thermostats. I have never overheated one of my motors yet. As far cold water and mud, if the engine runs cool they should have no effect on the motor.

 

Ya that's on a street rod not a truck that will see all kinds of brutal conditions

 

How many blocks have you cracked? How many blocks have you seen crack? What motors were they?

 

Does nobody ride fourwheelers? Aluminum cylinder, half of them are air cooled, and hit water over and over. I have never seen a block crack.

 

Never cracked one cause I never have ran one and never will. But I have seen many cracked and all kinds from Merlin dart to stock there is a reason u don't see aluminum blocks at the mud bog and only on drag and pavment cars

 

Look I am not here to argue just saying what I know nothing more. I don't get on here torun my yap and if I don't know I will not say. I try and help ppl not blow smoke up ppls xxx

 

I'm not trying to blow smoke anywhere... I just think the only reason you see cast iron blocks often on mud bog trucks is because that is what comes stock in the truck. Mud boggers usually don't care about weight so why would they invest a bunch of money in swapping a motor with an alum block. I'm not trying to attack you here or anything... sorry if it seems that way. Just wanted to know if you had any experiance with it happening. Appearently you have seen it happen. I have only ever heard rumors of it and have never talked to someone that has seen it in person.

 

The motors at the track I go to are not you everyday back yard mud trucks I am referring to trucks gone wild stuff. Used to go to Dennis Anderson's muddy motor sports park there are the run of the mill guys there also and I agree on the weight thing it's more of a ballance thing

 

I have owned countless 4 wheelers, buggies, mud trucks, and a few street rods. and i absolutely agree. aluminum in street rods has everything to do with weight, and in all of the mud trucks i have built its all about budget. Thats due mainly to the fact that all all know what we're going to do to these trucks and cast is normally cheaper. That said i have had both aluminum and cast blocks in a few trucks. i have swamped under water over the frame and red lined them to the point over over heating. In my experience, cast blocks seem to hold up a little better. Thats just my experience. I'm also a firm believer if you build the motors for a certain purpose in mind you will get just as much bang for your buck with either.