SB2.2 casting question.

Van · Post by **Van** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 8:18 pm

Could someone explain the differences between "black plug", "bronze or Rootbeer plug" castings?

I've heard these terms applied to SB2.2 castings as if one type were more desirable than another and was wondering what the differences were if any.

Thanks!
Rob

Post by **maxracesoftware** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 5:10 am

Could someone explain the differences between "black plug", "bronze or Rootbeer plug" castings?

i'd be very interested in that answer also !!!

Darin Morgan (Reher-Morrison)
would be the best to ask and respond

on another note,
i have 1 pair of old (brand-new) #292 Turbo castings
that have the internal support fin to the intake bowl
inside the waterjacket ...these castings are out-of-box,
never used , very rare , and even rarer these #292
can take 2.100 and 1.600 valves side by side with still
.020" between them ,...but usually just installed 2.080/1.600 valves

there are other castings that are better than others like
the Pontiac-Brodix 23 deg "C" castings raised runner heads

and at least 5 versions of 461 SBC castings
the best one is 461x that has raw unmachined exhaust
guide bosses + has the small fin coming off machine pad in center of
head in valve cover area, along with the customary x in corner
underneath head ..this 461X version will actually
checkout larger in stock shape than NHRA allowed 170.0cc's
they also flow the best

and some more versions of 441 and 441x are more desirable

also different versions of 041X ..some have more waterjacket side
material/support around the spring seats and some have illusion of a deeper spring seat but when measured are the same as the other
041x versions...just can be cut 1.640" OD all the way down without
hitting water.

Van · Post by **Van** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 9:35 pm

Thanks for the reply Larry, as usual, you are a wealth of knowledge.

Hopefully Mr. Morgan will have some information he can share with us.

melsie68 · Post by **melsie68** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 5:34 pm

I have heard of at least five different castings. Mine were cast in '98 and have the "smaller" blue deck plugs. I am not sure what about either one makes them less desirable than the other. Mine were re-programmed by Mike a t HRD and are now pushing 410cfm/290cfm at .800- so I guess even the older castings can be made to work pretty well. I have seen some really incredible flow numbers posted on this forum in the 450cfm range

which I think are obviously the latest stuff. Hopefully someone will let us know the difference.