I had a 74 Vega with the aluminum block engine. I think that the head was cast iron.
The problem with the aluminum block in that case was that there were no sleeves. The block was a high silicon content aluminum. The aluminum was etched back to leave the silicon as the wear surface. Unfortunately, these engines were prone to overheating (too little radiator? ). If overheated, then the cylinder was ofter damaged and there was no means of repair in the field. The block could not be bored out and honed and re-used as there was no way to etch the aluminum back as had happened at the factory. I live in Winnipeg and I assume that the cooler temperatures here on the Canadian prairies may have saved me as I drove one for several years with no engine problems. Randy -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of archer Sent: Friday, September 28, 2007 1:29 PM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] Aluminum Head Diesels In that case, aluminum heads mated with aluminum blocks should have less problems. GM built a small car; I forget its name; which had aluminum blocks/heads made of high silicon aluminum IIRC. The high silicon aluminum cylinder walls were supposed to wear well but they didn't. Do aluminum block Japanese engines have steel piston liners or are they built like the GM engines? Gerry _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
