Aluminum two piece cases

[gimmesomeshelter]

Hello-

I'm aware that the very early 25HP two piece cases were made out of aluminum. I'm also aware that they're stronger, heavier, and much more expensive than magnesium cases. I realize that the 36HP case isn't particularly strong. Is an aluminum case that much stronger than a mag' case?

Thanks,

Paul
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[Bengt H]

I have also heared that the alu case is stronger but are there any prof ??

The early case have not so many strengthening fins as 36 case. Here is pics of the case halves so you can compare.

[Bengt H]

No one has anything to say about this??
Is it just rumours that the aluminium is stronger???

[bvilletom]

Thank you for posting the inside pictures of the 36 alum. case. I have never seen the inside of an aluminum case before, they are very, very rare here. After studing the pictures carefully, I really don't think they are any stronger than the latest 36 HP case, the 57-60 style. Notice the very tall and long breather opening into the generator stand, it would be a oil throwing monster at high RPM. I think the gussets and heavy webbing around #1 main and thicker area metal at all through bolts + the smaller breather hole make this the best case for the money. I question the unattached top center main web to the top of the later cases. Your alum one is attached ??
I posted the question about 36HP case strength May 24,2006 in the 36 drag race thread page 6 and got no response so I came to my own conclusion.
I'm pounding these 36HP moters as hard as anybody and the cases have been OK so far

Bvilletom
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bvilletom
36hp Challenge record holder New Age 126.236mph

1970 Porsche 914/6 – 2 liter LSR record holder
1992 Metro Sedan – 1 liter LSR records
1987 Chevy Turbo Sprint – under construction

[Art Thraen]

Well, I think that if the case was casted the same the alum would be stronger, But I do know that, the new Alum Cases that are built for the 1600 based engine are prone to Crack at the bell housing area at the top.

In the Off Road race cars you have to weld a gussit to prevent this, and the Mag cases do not have the problem.

Mag is a little forgiving ( mallable ) Maybe it has a little forgiveness?

[36hplandspeedracer]

Art

I am surprised to find out the late style aftermarket aluminum cases crack at the bell housing. That was a huge problem with the factory magnesium cases also "back in the day" when they motor was built for power and we also would have a supporting gusset welded between the bosses to reduce that possibility.

The problem appeared to go away or at least minimize when the concept of deep studing the number 3 cylinder was introduced. Could either of these same procedures be applied to an aluminum 36hp case?

Burly

[Mr. Okrasa]

Most, if not all Porsche Pre-A 2pc. engines before mid 1951 were aluminum. Reason: Aluminum is more dense/stronger and make for a better building foundation for a engine that is going to put in "heavy duty" service. Why do you think Porsche started using ALUMINUM blocks AFTER they went to their own 3pc. design post Oct. 1954? Granted, aluminum is more heavier but the "pros" of service/performance outweighed the gains of lightness and cost.

I have been collecting these 2pc. aluminum blocks now and have accumilated about 30 blocks now ONLY for the reason of using them as my foundation for my DENZEL engines.

Cheers! Mr. Okrasa

[Eaallred]

[Jimmy111]

Aluminum as a material is stronger than Magnesium. Especially the alloys in use at that time. Magnesium is more ductile to a point but the aluminum case weighs twice as much so puts twice as much stress on the mounting flange. Aluminum is not twice as strong. it is about 33% stronger

But the reason for the use of the Aluminum was they only expected to make less than 500 of them. In 1950 they only made 300 of them so it was not worth the expense to do the R&D work to refine the injection mold necessary at that time to produce the Magnesium case.

[henry roberts]

ok i think i must have missed something.

is this topic about vw cases or really early 356 cases?

thanks.

henry the uneducated.

edit.

btw jimmy, if you get bored with your current case project do you want to make us externaly stock looking case that will take 356 or late t1 lifters, has bigger oil galleries, more ribbing etc etc? some affordable dp heads would be lovely as well, just if you're looking for something to fill in all that spare time you must have.

[john morris]

Is the aluminum case VW or Porsche? Are there numbers etc. that can be used to identify one? Thanks!

[Bengt H]

Its earlyer 25 cases this is about.
Dont know the exact engine number but after 19 jan -51 the crankcase was made of elektron, number could bee something around 270 000?, its clearly when you see it they are more chiny than later cases.

[Unkl Ian]

If someone wanted an Aluminum case, what serial numbers would they have to look for ?

[grueni]

would this be a aluminium case? the engine should be from a 1950 brezel bug.

2-066 488

[OOC]

[billmetric]

the problem with magnesium cases is that the flywheel main bearing saddle always gets pounded out requiring a line bore & oversize bearings, the aluminum is much more resistant to the crank bore getting pounded out from what I have seen of late type 4/914/bus motors they rarely require a line bore upon rebuild ( usually just burnt valve seats falling out ) I'm guessing the resistance to bearing saddle wear was why Empi used an ancient aluminum 25hp case for the original inch pincher?
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There is an idea of a Billmetric; some kind of abstraction. But there is no real me: only an entity, something illusory. And though I can hide my cold gaze, and you can shake my hand and feel flesh gripping yours and maybe you can even sense our lifestyles are probably comparable... I simply am not there...

[Unkl Ian]

Aluminum is stronger than Magnesium,
also easier to weld.

I suspect the factory chose Magnesium to save weight,
and added a few internal ribs to improve stiffness.

[hollandbug]

Made in 18 1 1951

[hollandbug]

Aluminium case or not?

[Mr. Okrasa]