The Last Big-Block Chevy Was Built Today at the Downsized Tonawanda Engine PlantBy Chad Posted 12/18/09
We could not let the day end without noting that Friday, December 18, 2009, saw the production of the very last production big-block Chevy engine that will ever be made by General Motors. Actually, the legendary Town of Tonawanda Engine Plant may never see V8 production again. The end of the big-block meant 150 more layoffs, so that now a total of almost 300 people in Tonawanda, New York, are out of work.
The last big-block is the L-18, an 8.1-litre weirdo version of the famous Rat motor that was still being produced for boats. The news we've read claims that big-block production started in Tonawanda in 1958, but that's if you count 348s and 409s. The big-block we know too well started with the 396 in 1965 production cars.
It's a good thing we still have GM Performance Parts, Dart, and World making big-blocks, because they will continue to be the dominant engine in sportsman drag racing for a long time to come. It's a sad day, anyway.
Comments + Post your comment!
Written by Super Sport Dec 21 2009
I grew up on rat and mouse motors like just about everyone else in their 30's and up, and they will always occupy a really warm, fond place in my heart, but LS engines ARE amazing, and rat motors had been frankenstein-like propositions since they started screwing with the archetectures in the 1990's. There was a time when all I wanted in the world was one of those 454SS pickups in the 90's, until I saw the power ratings after they had de-tuned the poor motor...
RIP Tonawanda and thanks for almost 50 years of awesomeness.
Written by mustang13 Dec 21 2009
Its a sad day for New York as well. People think of Detroit as the home of American muscle but, as a New Yorker its cool to know how much Bow-tie HP came from our state over the years.
Once all this Global Warming sham is over, maybe us Americans can get back to building big inch OEM powerplants again.
Written by Huskinhano
Dec 19 2009
I hope Spidey doesn't see this :'(
Written by DrivingMissDD
Dec 19 2009
It's called [b]GOVERNMENT Motors[/b] for a reason, folks...... >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(
Written by threedoor Dec 19 2009
I'm sure the enviro-wackos are happy. At least I've got a 454 and my ZZ 502 and the aftermarket will continue.
Written by HoosierGTA
Dec 19 2009
While I am a fan of the LS series of motors and some of them are rather torquey,it seems wrong for there not to be a BIG BLOCK option for a truck. Double cab duallie w/even just two wheel drive with a car trailer/horse trailer (pick your poision) just seems to need one!
Written by dagenesta
Dec 19 2009
On the bright side, now we have LS motors, which are way better.
Written by tcbnj
Dec 19 2009
Sad day indeed.....you would think that with all the PR/brand image that motor gave the General over the last 45 years, someone (anyone there??) at the top would have employed a more dignified swan song
The King is Dead, long live the King :'(
[quote author=Super Sport link=topic=18211.msg346062#msg346062 date=1261428007]
I grew up on rat and mouse motors like just about everyone else in their 30's and up, and they will always occupy a really warm, fond place in my heart, but LS engines ARE amazing, and rat motors had been frankenstein-like propositions since they started screwing with the archetectures in the 1990's. There was a time when all I wanted in the world was one of those 454SS pickups in the 90's, until I saw the power ratings after they had de-tuned the poor motor...
RIP Tonawanda and thanks for almost 50 years of awesomeness.
[/quote]I am right with you on this. @230 hp it was pathetic by regulat 5.3 ls standards. I'm sure the torque wasn't too shabby but after you get the thing moving it needs some hp .