ally block or not?

  1. Infrequent Poster Joined: Aug 2014 Valley boy me.... Posts: 205 saxo vtr 1.4, xsara was my last car
    #1
    you guys know how to tell if my 1.4 is an ally block?

    i was thumbing through the haynes manual this morning, and i happened to notice, that it says, if it has wet liners (like mine does, noticed when i done the headgasket) its an ally block, and it says that the cast iron block had "damp" liners, ie, not removable.

    i though cast iron and ally both had wet liners.

    any easy ways to work out if its ally or cast?
  2. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2002 United Kingdom Posts: 8390
    #2
    Look at the block: if it looks like alloy its an alloy block; if its black or looks iron-y, its an iron block.

    Sounds like Im being sarcastic, but its true.
  3. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jul 2011 Newcastle upon Tyne Posts: 7779 Phase 2 VTS , E61 M5
    #3
    put your teeth on it, if your fillings tingle it's alu
    1 user thanked this post:
  4. Regular Poster Joined: Sep 2011 Patras Greece Posts: 352 Ford Focus 2.5 ST Citroen Saxo Vts 16v race car
    #4
    use a magnet , if it sticks its iron , if not its alloy
  5. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2010 Little Mill, South Wales Posts: 7547 Mondeo ST TDCI Saxo VTS
    #5
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by MuZiZZle View Post
    put your teeth on it, if your fillings tingle it's alu
    Fillings? He's from the Valleys, they will all be gold.
  6. Infrequent Poster Joined: Aug 2014 Valley boy me.... Posts: 205 saxo vtr 1.4, xsara was my last car
    #6
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Brettles1986 View Post
    Fillings? He's from the Valleys, they will all be gold.
    haha, the one thing i have is all my teeth, touch wood, ill never have fillings lol

    hot water and electricity is something we dont have yet though.... these caves get cold at night....lol

    i didnt think of the magnet test, ill go try that now.

    Cheers lads
  7. Infrequent Poster Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 215
    #7
    The alloy block engines have a 2 peice crank case that splits just above the oil filter.
    The cast iron blocks are 1 peice castings.
  8. Infrequent Poster Joined: Aug 2014 Valley boy me.... Posts: 205 saxo vtr 1.4, xsara was my last car
    #8
    just been and checked.

    used my magnetic screwdriver, stuck the the chassis leg (to check how sticky the magnet was)

    but it didnt stick to the block! result! im rather surprised its an alloy block, i though only the xsi engines were alloy.

    this means i have a crank ladder for the main bearings correct?

    afaik, ladder for the mains means its a bit stronger?

    maybe ill keep this engine, it being alloy, its a LOT lighter, and that being my goal, keeping the weight down.

    suppose i better make a parts list.

    cheers
  9. Infrequent Poster Joined: Aug 2014 Valley boy me.... Posts: 205 saxo vtr 1.4, xsara was my last car
    #9
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by oxass View Post
    The alloy block engines have a 2 peice crank case that splits just above the oil filter.
    The cast iron blocks are 1 peice castings.
    aha. thought so, cheers