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Technical Aluminum hemi block identification, Donovan ?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Randy P, Jun 13, 2017.

  1. Randy P
    Joined: Oct 3, 2006
    Posts: 437

    Randy P
    Member
    from Austin, TX

    I took some scrap metal to the local recycler today and my jaw dropped when I saw what someone else had dropped off for scrap. To me it looks like a 392 Era hemi, but the motor mounts are not like the 392 cast iron block. Donovan came to mind but there are no names only a few #s as seen in the pics, and what appears to be a date of 6-6-61 so that would be 10 years too early. It has steel sleeves, looks like just under 4-1/8" bore (measured with a tape!) and no main caps, but doesn't appear to be damaged. Can anyone help id it?
     

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    Last edited: Jun 13, 2017
    Speed Gems likes this.
  2. ididntdoit1960
    Joined: Dec 13, 2011
    Posts: 1,030

    ididntdoit1960
    Member
    from Western MA

    ummm - you brought it home......right?
     
    Hatchet likes this.
  3. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 23,331

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Yeah, that is my missing block. Please let me know where my shipper can pick it up.
     
    oj likes this.
  4. tubman
    Joined: May 16, 2007
    Posts: 6,955

    tubman
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Even if it's not usable, it'd make a great coffee table!
     
    das858 likes this.

  5. BadgeZ28
    Joined: Oct 28, 2009
    Posts: 1,167

    BadgeZ28
    Member
    from Oregon

    Looks like a coolant block. Great catch.
     
  6. Randy P
    Joined: Oct 3, 2006
    Posts: 437

    Randy P
    Member
    from Austin, TX

    Didn't bring it home...yet, trying, but he knew it was something special and wouldn't sell it, not giving up. Donovan is out as they didn't start until 1971 per their website. Maybe Mickey Thompson?
     
    Last edited: Jun 13, 2017
  7. DDDenny
    Joined: Feb 6, 2015
    Posts: 19,259

    DDDenny
    Member
    from oregon

    As you just said that cast date is at least 10 years too early.
    With that date having three sixes in a row I'd bet it's a jinxed block.
     
  8. WAG,,,Can-Am block...?
     
  9. Fordors
    Joined: Sep 22, 2016
    Posts: 5,410

    Fordors
    Member

    Bring that thing home and you can be a pioneer developing the first Rolls Royce V8 on fuel.
     
  10. Randy P
    Joined: Oct 3, 2006
    Posts: 437

    Randy P
    Member
    from Austin, TX

    Is that what it is?
     
  11. Torana68
    Joined: Jan 28, 2008
    Posts: 1,416

    Torana68
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Australia

    I think Fordors has got it
     
  12. Early Ironman
    Joined: Feb 1, 2016
    Posts: 553

    Early Ironman
    Member

  13. Randy P
    Joined: Oct 3, 2006
    Posts: 437

    Randy P
    Member
    from Austin, TX

    That's it, motor mounts tell the tale. Thanks for the help, bummed it wasn't an early hemi drag racing block, oh well...
     
  14. Fordors
    Joined: Sep 22, 2016
    Posts: 5,410

    Fordors
    Member

    Speed Gems likes this.
  15. Randy P
    Joined: Oct 3, 2006
    Posts: 437

    Randy P
    Member
    from Austin, TX

  16. RodStRace
    Joined: Dec 7, 2007
    Posts: 4,057

    RodStRace
    Member

    Well, if the guy lets it go, it would still be a cool coffee table or if you sell at swap meets, clean it up and set it out front. It will stop people in their tracks and look at what else you've got. Conversation starter and B.S. meter all in one!
     
  17. 51 BIRD
    Joined: Jan 5, 2010
    Posts: 437

    51 BIRD
    Member

    For future reference: A Donovan won't have main caps. It uses a full girdle.
     
    stillrunners likes this.
  18. bundoc bob
    Joined: Dec 31, 2015
    Posts: 130

    bundoc bob

    Strolling in a scrap yard one day looong ago and what did I see but a Ford GAA
    [second design] bare block in exactly the same cap-less condition. Naturally I
    was too poor to even think about buying it.
     
  19. 56sedandelivery
    Joined: Nov 21, 2006
    Posts: 6,695

    56sedandelivery
    Member Emeritus

    I suppose it would be pretty hard finding all the parts to assemble it. But, it has an old, Single Coupling, Dual Range Hydro backing it up (posted by Early Ironman)! It would be different for sure. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
     
  20. mgtstumpy
    Joined: Jul 20, 2006
    Posts: 9,214

    mgtstumpy
    Member

    upload_2017-6-16_21-21-58.jpeg
    Photo courtesy of Squirrel
     
    Last edited: Jun 16, 2017
    tubman likes this.

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