[Spridgets] Austin Gipsy....what's this thing worth??

[corvallis at peoplepc.com]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosworth_Vega

"GM Research Labs had been working on a sleeveless aluminum block since the
late 50's. The incentive was cost. Getting rid of those liners on a
four-cylinder block would save $8, which was a substantial amount of money
back then. Reynolds Metal Corp. came up with an alloy
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alloy>  called A-390, composed of 77 percent
aluminum, 17 percent silicon <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon> , 4
percent copper <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper> , 1 percent iron
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron> , and traces of phosphorus
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphorus> , zinc
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc> , manganese
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manganese> , and titanium
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanium> . The A-390 alloy was suitable for
faster production diecasting <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diecasting>
which made the Vega block less expensive to manufacture than other aluminum
engines. Sealed Power Corp. developed special chrome-plated piston
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piston_rings>  rings for the engine that were
blunted to prevent scuffing. Basic work had been done under Eudell Jackobson
of GM engineering, not at Chevrolet. But then, suddenly, Chevrolet got
handed the job of putting this ohc sleeveless, aluminum block into
production-a feat never before attempted. According to Jackobson, "The
aluminum blocks were inpregnated with sodium
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_silicate>  silicate before shipping to
Tonawanda <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_GM_factories>  (engine
plant). Machining through the outer skin exposed areas that had not
previously leaked, so various leak tests were required as the block
progressed through the machining line. As I recall, if a part still leaked
after three tries, it was scrapped.""

Porsche got it right about 10 years later. ...bill in oregon

=========================================

-----Original Message-----
From: spridgets-bounces at autox.team.net
[mailto:spridgets-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Lester
Sent: Monday, October 26, 2009 10:22 AM
Cc: Spridgets
Subject: Re: [Spridgets] Austin Gipsy....what's this thing worth??

 

I thought that was because the original engines had problems.. all  

aluminum or something comes to mind..

 

Lester