Method of increasing productivity of casting vee configuration engine

Abstract

A method is disclosed for increasing productivity when casting Vee configuration engine blocks in a given size, two-part refractory mold having a single parting plane. The method comprises (a) preparing an assembly of refractory cores consisting of (i) one or more pairs of crankcase cores siamesed together and presenting core faces in opposite directions (ii) two pairs of complimentary barrel slab valley cores nested respectively into two pairs of complimentary water jacket cores to form two pairs of complimentary barrel core nests (each pair of complimentary barrel core nests is preferably adapted to be mounted on one of said faces of a crankcase core) (iii) a pair of cam tunnel cores, each cam tunnel core being insertable onto a face of a crankcase core and sandwiched between a pair of barrel core nests to define a Vee angle between said barrel core nests with the bisector of said angle passing through the cam tunnel core and (iv) a pair of dual end cores stationable at each end of the crankcase core transverse to the core faces; (b) planting the assembly of said refractory cores in the mold to define a casting cavity and having the bisector of each of the Vee angles aligned with the mold parting plane; and (c) pouring molten metal into said cavity to form a pair of engine block castings.