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On 05/08/08 I commented: "Some years ago I also exchanged a number of emails with Jim Steck (in the US) and I mentioned this monoblock since Jim was in the process of making his own for the Bonneville TS. Jim felt there were inherent flaws in the Australian design and designed his as a combination of girdle and monoblock."
A few days ago I received an email asking what Jim's concerns were about Beninca's mono-sleeves. I simply cannot find Jim's comments - we exchanged over 130 emails either directly or over the Alfa Digest. The following disputes pretty much what I said, but note the date was 10/13/01 and I don't believe Bonnie had run at Bonneville yet:
"Beninca has some really serious turbo engines. I wanted to use one
of his mono-sleeve blocks for the Bonneville engine, but the guy
writing the checks thought it was a little 'over the top'.
Something you can do to increase the rigidity of the engine, without
spending any real money is to epoxy the liners into the block. It
adds a day to the assembly process . . . I install the liners, install
the head with a used gasket (using normal installation torque) and
then let is sit a day. Once the epoxy has set, you can take the
head off and assemble the engine normally. Oh! . . . no o-rings
used at the bottom of the liners. This will also help the head gasket.
It doesn't have to absorb any liner movement . . . so no blown head
gaskets even on very high compression / boost engines."
I'll also include the following email. Please note it was dated 07/21/01 so ignore the dollar figures/comment:
"Hello Biba
"I sell as a complete package.
Alfetta block prepared with oil squirters and No 2 & 4 main bearings
with oil supply.
Mono sleeves bored with strain plate to 84mm and the deck height set to
standard with a "bit" groove.
The barrels can be later bored to 86mm+.
I have run up to 700HP with a turbo.
Cost $3500 Australian excluding duty, taxes and freight.
1 American dollar buys 2 Aussie dollars."
"Thank you
J Beninca"
Since I'd forgotten the email from Jim above, take these comments in the context of someone with a faulty memory: I am pretty sure Jim (later) felt the OZ design didn't allow for sufficient water cooling. It is quite possible the addition of the girdle was solely (???) for the later Bonneville TS engine to help hold it together at what I imagine was Very Maximum boost.
Personal comments: Strictly eyeball engineering but the TS block with its additional strengthening ribs HAS to be stronger than the Nord block. Also, the TS head HAS to flow considerably better than the 50's designed Nord head.
Looks (?): There is going to be so much plumbing for the turbo and supercharger, along with the intercooler it's going to be hard to even see the engine, let alone anyone being horrified that a (gasp, gasp) TS was installed in an Alfetta GT. Yes, you'll have to deal with the extra engine height. I suggest you make a slightly modified carbon fiber hood with a bump for clearance in the front. Once you've made and paid for the mold, I'll take one.
If you disagree, why not make it a Real challenge and start with a - first of the Nord breed - '55 ('54?) 1300 Giulietta engine. (Meant only as a small poke in the rib - I don't do icons).
Biba
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