Anyone know about the rocket small block motor, not talking old's or nasa. I heard they were for nascar but I've seen them used in drag racing. I think there alum, and can be stroked to some big cubes. Who made them and when? What are they like?

What do you mean "I've seen them used in drag racing"? Who used them and when did you see them?

I thought the Olds was the only rocket block. Ive never heard of anything else...

Casting # mains notes
22551660.................4...Chevy/Olds Rocket block, 4.00"-4.190" bores, 400 mains
journal sizes, splayed steel caps, wet sump, raised cam
2-piece rear seal, 9.300" deck
www.mortec.com

Good luck finding one... it would probably be more wise to buy a dart little M or better after market small block block.

We had one in the shop awhile back for cam tunnel work as they are a tall deck spread pan rail and raised cam tunnel.

Dart has these blocks as they go by the name of Iron Eagle blocks

These blocks are nice,but are a little aggravating to get parts to put in a stock vehicle.Headers will not fit,special oil pan,and block will need some machine work for a wet sump oiling system.When you get them they are set up for dry sump only.

Are you referring to this new engine ? The R07 in Nascar ?

http://www.scenedaily.com/stories/2007/04/16/scene_daily167.html

http://www.paddocktalk.com/news/html/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=52780

Heck, buy a short deck BB block and be done w/ it, imho...

pdq67

Back in the '80's, when olds last ran in Nascar, didn't they "over the counter" some (SBC based) aftermarket blocks and heads?
I know pontiac did back then.

What do you mean "I've seen them used in drag racing"? Who used them and when did you see them?


Heard they were for nascar, seen them used in bracket cars drag racing.

The Lingenfelter book talks about these. They are iron: two dry sump and two wet sump versions. They weigh 200 pounds. You can build a 468 small block with one. They are deaigned to use a small chevy crank, rods, cam, and heads. To quote: "these Rockets live up to their name with an astronomical price tag!"

Are you referring to this new engine ? The R07 in Nascar ?

http://www.scenedaily.com/stories/2007/04/16/scene_daily167.html

http://www.paddocktalk.com/news/html/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=52780

The R-07 block was just developed a short time ago and the Rocket block has been around for years and the Iron Eagle blocks are cheaper and come in different deck heights.

I run a Dart "Iron Eagle" block which as Carl mentioned is the same thing. Dart cast the "Rocket Block" for GM. When GM discontinued it, Dart continued making it under their "Iron Eagle" name.

The version I run has a tall deck (9.325" vs. 9.025), the cam is raised (.491" IIRC), the pan rails are spread .400" per side. I run 400 SBC mains (2.65"). They do make a std. deck height version as well.

The tall deck version takes special oil pan, special timing set, special intake, and special headers.

Those changes though, make it easier to build bigger cubic inches. I run a 4.145" bore x 4.125" stroke for 445 cubic inches. Only minor clearancing was required at the bottom of the cylinders. I run a 6.125" rod.

With the current limited cylinder heads and the previous cam it dynoed at 672HP @ 6300 RPM /616 lb-ft @ 5200-5500 RPM. I had it on the chassis dyno a couple of months back and it put down 569 RWHP @ 6400 RPM. The rings were not fully sealed on the dyno (~12-20% leakdown)

I just installed a new cam and am hoping to crack 590 RWHP @6700 RPM on Friday. If the weather holds I should have some track updates as well.

Yes, I could have built a 540+ ci BBC for about the same cost, but how many SBC powered 3650 lb Chevelles do you see running 9's on motor? ;)

Hope that helps.