That is very interesting. In High School shop we actually had to make a project by making a mould and packing it in sand then pouring in liquid metal. We then finished them up on the lathes and drill presses. I did a candle stick holder from molten aluminum. The whole lesson was for us to learn about casting engines and parts. It was amazing to me back then, still is.

73SC wrote:

---

That is very interesting. In High School shop we actually had to make a project by making a mould and packing it in sand then pouring in liquid metal. We then finished them up on the lathes and drill presses. I did a candle stick holder from molten aluminum. The whole lesson was for us to learn about casting engines and parts. It was amazing to me back then, still is.

---

Who was your shop teacher Ray?

I worked in two of the foundries that cast engine componets for G.M. in Saginaw Michigan.  One was the Grey Iron plant pouring iron for blocks, heads, intake and exhaust manifolds.  The other was the Nodular Iron plant pouring iron for cranks, knuckles & rotors.  One very important thing I learned, you can pour water on molten iron but you cannot pour molten iron on water.
I also worked at the V-8 engine plant from 64-68 in Flint Michigan.  We machined the rough castings from the foundry and assembled the complete engine assemblies.
All engine componets were marked with paint for identification.  I remember green paint on a block, head, etc indicated a 283 componet.  We all know the infamous pink paint indicated high performance.  I never worked in a machining area, only inspection and assembly.  I installed cams, distributors, rod caps and soft plugs (brass plugs indicated marine engines).
Then there is one heck of a lot that I don't remember, like what I had for breakfast.