BBC Bowtie Blocks

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35WINDOW · #1 Post by **35WINDOW** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 2:20 pm

Hi Guys!

Newbie here with a Bowtie question-

I am building a '35 Ford five Window Coupe for the street (I know it's not for Drag Racing only!), and I was building a 496 (454 Gen VI) for it. This week, someone broke into a Storage Unit where I had my Block and stole it. Luckily I had mose of my other Parts in my Shop, so I can keep going. I have accumulated a new Eagle 4240 4.25" Stroker Crank (1 piece REar Main Seal), Eagle "H" Beam Rods (w/L19 Bolt upgrade), Edelbrock Oval Port Heads, Edelbrock Air-Gap, MSD Digital E-curve w/6A, and some other Parts.

Now that I have to get another Block I am considering a 502 Gen VI or a 9.800 one piece rear Main Bowtie Block (within $150.00 in cost of each other). I can make it a 540-I know this is at the extreme upper limit of the Heads, but I don't know about the Camshaft design (it loooks like it may use early style Cam) and I want to use a Roller.

I am torn about which Block to buy-can anyone out there talk about these Blocks and my new idea? I a could buy another 454 GenVI Block, but I figure, heck if I have to buy one, why not have a 540 instead of a 496?
Can anyone help me?

thanks!

kyleracer · #2 Post by **kyleracer** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 4:26 pm

bowtie blocks use the gen 4 style oil pan & timing cover. 502 gen 6 uses its own pan and timing cover similer to a old style small block chevy. If you need to buy all the stuff new the prices are not much different, if you already have the gen 4 style then I would go with the bowtie block. The cam from the gen 4 can be used in either block but the lifters for the 502 gen 6 are taller to clear the taller lifter boss in block which makes the gen 4 lifter only fit the bowtie also. You will need longer than stock push rods in either block with those heads. Good luck

CoMax Racing · #3 Post by **CoMax Racing** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 9:28 am

Personnaly I would get a Big M block from Brodix. I used to run a Bowtie block but even they need improvements, mainly in the oiling system. Plus they are not as strong in the bottom end as they could be. I now own a Merlin II block and it is a nice piece. VEry little machining to true it up. But it still has the factory based oil galleries (distributor makes the curcuit between the two side of the block) Brodix has solve this problem by routing the at the front of the block. Basically you don't need a distributor to make oil pressure. Both the Merlin and Big M have a lot more material where it counts thsn the Bow Tie.

My 2 cents

35WINDOW · #4 Post by **35WINDOW** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 9:57 am

Thank you very much for the replies!

I have looked at the Dart and Brodix Blocks and they are amazing, however I can buy a new 502 Production Block for about $1550.00-I can get a Bowtie for about $100.00-$150.00 more, with the Bowtie being CNC'd and only needing honing to be ready to use.

The best deal I can find on a Dart (with the same Machining) is about $2450.00. I think the Bowtie is overkill for the Street (I may take it to the Track once or twice only to see what she'll do

), so for the $8-1000.00 difference it's hard to justify the Dart. Looks like a Brodix Block starts around $5000.00-way out of my Budget-

Any more thoughts?

#5 Post by **John_Heard** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 10:22 am

The Dart Race series blocks are real nice

kyleracer · #6 Post by **kyleracer** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 4:01 pm

Dart and Brodix blocks are also 100lbs more weight than a gen 6 GMblock

Mike Peters · #7 Post by **Mike Peters** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 6:28 am

Does Dart not cast the Bowtie big block like they do the Bowtie small block and the Olds Rocket block? Bowtie small block = Little M and Olds Rocket = Iron Eagle. I assumed the Bowtie Big Block = Big M.

sunsation540 · #8 Post by **sunsation540** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 10:54 pm

the gen 6 takes diffrent pan and front cover. if you are buying new its the same money the lifters hyd roller and solid roller from crane all come only in the tall version no extra cost many of the 540 & 555 use the production blocks they live fine to 950hp scoggin dickey has great prices on production blocks.....the 6 also takes any head with its revised coolant pasages. aftermarket timing cover is thicker has more room for double roller chain or gear drive the factory cover is thin and will only take a single roller chain i have many of these in service.

Busted Knuckles · #9 Post by **Busted Knuckles** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 2:13 pm

PM/Emailed you - I have a standard bore Gen 6 block if you're still thinking of going that way, save some bucks over the aftermarket stuff.

35WINDOW · #10 Post by **35WINDOW** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 8:39 am

Thanks for the replies guys!

I already had purchased a new Cast Aluminum Front Cover (Gen VI), and had the Pan and stuff (they got the Pan and Spder), but I have everything else (again, luckily I had my new engine Parts in my Shop (not Storage).

Thank Busted Knuckels-PM sent-

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