Dart Blocks, does anyone know for sure
 

if they are cast in the USA, and what foundry? I think that Dart machines them (maybe not), but i just recieved access to a copy of a little M block, with steel Main caps, (not nodular), and exactly the same spec's as a Dart little M for close half price, unfinished bores 4.125, 350 mains. It's a Chinese knock off, maybe someone from Dart will see this thread and respond or maybe Carl Hink knows. Just curious.

Zip.

Why not go ask on their forums or call them?

The Chinese are getting really good at copying things.

http://www.dartheads.com/dartboard/showthread.php?t=303

Thanks Onebad, for the attachment, i had talked to Dick Maskin about 3 weeks ago, but it was in relation on a 496"customer build up, i wanted to use the 308 iron eagle heads, and wanted to know if they would be a good choice for the motor. Which he said they would be the best choice avialble. I just got the email today about the Chinese blks., for like 1/2 price and was curious about the Dart stuff after getting the email.

Zip.

I have seen a lot of junk come out of China. I wouldn't touch an egg timer let alone an engine block.

X2, IF THEY CANT BE TRUSTED TO MAKE PARTS FOR A TOILET WITHOUT CHEATING I SURE AS HELL DONT WANT AN ENGINE BLOCK FROM THERE :shock:

I have talked to Richard Maskins quite a few times and he told me they are very well known for their castings and its all done in house.

Here is a link on the china make believe Dart block
I would love to get one in my CNC machine to probe it out.

http://www.yellowbullet.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=154388

Do you know what R&D means in China?

Receive and duplicate. :roll: :roll:

Dave

When i ask a few questions about the Chinese knock off, here's the answers that i got.

Zip.


The block does come with splayed steel caps. The machine work is done in China. The cam bores tend to run tight by ~ .001". The bore also checks in between 4.124" and 4.125". The decks are fairly square, but will need a clean-up cut to seal with a MLS gasket.

The Little M from Dart is available both nodular caps and billet caps.

This block is better than a Dart SHP block, for less money! It is very close to the Dart Little M (it's patterned after it...).

So Zip you are saying this is a LittleM (China) copy. Do you think that it is a procomp? they have been turning up here recently, although I've not yet seen one. What would make you think that Dart would know about these yet even when it seems the copy has been stolen from them?

The block is honed 4.124 and 4.125 I would not say its better until it could be checked for blue print locations. As I have seen some substandard machine work the Chinese have put out. Quality is not one there standards!!!!!!!!!!!

If interested Zip I could send (Emial to you) some pics I saw here but i don't know how to post here.

I have pictures, and the whole ad with specs. It is a ProComp block, and they list it for $1500.00 plus shipping. I could buy it cheaper, but i'm kinda with Carl Hinkson on this one, i wonder about the machining specs and locations. I don't know too many people who have a cam tunnel hone, another big concern would be lifter bore locations.
I don't want to post the ad here on RJ in the engine section, this is not the place to sell parts which i'm not trying too sell anyway. I too would like to see someone probe this blk. As i understand they sent about 10 of the first copies out to engine builders to do the measuring and all checked out o'k for unfinished. They have only been available to the public for about 3 weeks. I will say that the specs. are exactly the same as a Dart Little M and Dart already jumped on them over the Ford copy, because it had Dart on the Main cap bolts, so i'm sure that dart is watching the Chevy blk. also.

Zip.

I would just hope that in trying economic times & almost imposible times for any co that does the r & d to develop and manufacture a top quality product here in the USA that we would support them by buying there product.chinese products are based on theft of everybody elses hard work in developing top grade products. I wont buy stolen tools , parts or anything else from a theif on the street. and i sure wont buy knock off engine parts either because in my mind that theft too. JMHO. MIKE

I wonder how their govt/country economy is doing???hmmmm.

NOT REALLY CONCERNED WITH WHAT THERE ECONOMY IS DOING, JUST WOULD LIKE TO SEE ENOUGHT OF OURS LEFT SO THAT YOU AND ME CAN GET JOBS THAT PAY MORE THAN BURGER FLIPIN AND RETAIL. A COUNTRY THAT PRODUCES NOTHING FAILS.

Why don't you move over there then tell us about it .

Problem is that you donot know if you're buying Chinese made products in a lot of cases. Case in point, how many of us run QA1 shocks (a lot i'm sure) a couple months ago i had to buy heavier springs, up from 110's to 130's, dam i opened the package, and right on the plastic bag the spring was incased in was a gold label made in China. Another case in point, i've been a machinist for over 50 yrs., the last 11 1/2 yrs in Ms. We used to make Sharp Microwave plastic injection molds They are based in Memphis. About 5 yrs ago they started buying from China. they could buy a mold for $40,000.00 that we couldn't make for $125,000.00. When the mold came in Sharp shipped them to us for a tuneup, they didn't even unpackage the molds first, it cost them an extra $10,000.00/$15,000.00 to correct the molds, they are still $60,000.00 ahead and their products are made in the USA.
That was the reason i started this thread, you just don't really know.Sad but true.

Zip.

China must have factories on every corner.

like zip says just look it's made in china

The company I worked for was outsourcing some of our stuff to China to try and stay alive...I hate it but I can't help it..anyway, I have seen man y many pictures of their factory and the workers making the parts. The stuff they have looks to be top notch and their factory is very well organized from what I can tell. As for the parts they make, Some are great some not so great...I have no idea why that is, but I do know we repack and check the stuff they make and most of it is fine but sometimes we get some garbage....but sometimes we run garbage too because anything that is mass produced is going to have problems here and there...I don't care who you are or what you say no manufacturing company runs 100% perfect parts I guarantee you that and I guarantee you they don't throw every part away that is not top notch...they all have tolerance and they use it. If they didn't they would be out o0f business in a hurry because nothing runs perfect all the time. The difference is how well they control these quality issues and what they do or don't do to fix them.

Too add to the fire, we have about 3 million dollars in CNC equipment, almost all American made, but in 1998 we bought a Hyundai 10" CNC lathe, i didn't want it, i wanted a Brigeport(american made), but i have to,admit it's been one of the best pieces of equipment that we have. It always performs with very little down time.
Now back to the original question, of the Chinese sm/blk chevy, and Hink's original question, he would like to probe the blk. I would buy one and let him probe it, if he would fix any problems it has. i would drop ship it too him and pay the shipping back too me once the problems are fixed on his dollar. The ball is now in your court, Carl.

Zip.

I would surely probe the block out for nothing but if it needed all the lifter bores bushed back to standard that costs 450 dollars and if the cam tunnel is off that runs 300 dollars to square the cam tunnel up and the decks ETC.

And why sould that cost me money?? Its nothing I machined in the first place and if I did that for you I would have everyone sending me blocks for free machine work.

Nice try!!!!

Carl i was just being funny, i'm not going to buy one of those blks. i too forsee all the possible problems that could exist with that blk. and i know no one can or should work for free, it could turn into another $1000.00 just to fix the thing, by that time i could have bought a Dart Little M, which i already have one.

Zip.

If its like some of the chinese stuff I have seen like the cat stuff they are junk.