Found this recently on DMD and I wonder if anyone has enough time, knowledge and funds to do the same for a datto?? :-
http://www.dmdaustralia.com.au/block.html
Tsillay were counting on you!?
Make my block so I can use off the shelf chev internals and ca18 or sr18 forged crank
We wish!!

It is a thing of beauty ... a work of art.

that is farkn cool
i'll take four please

hmmm long read...so who's gonna take on this project??

Considering that the cylinder head is $6000 each, how much is the block?

When you think of the the number of people that are doing up 6 cylinder Austin Healey's, it's easy to see that the potential market is not very big.
Next, discount all the restorations that would only use the iron engine. From whats left, deduct the number that could not afford, or justify, one of these.

How many do you think that they will sell at the price that they must be asking? This very low number will make them an instant "classic" engine.

Do i want one? No.
I'd rather have the new, all alloy, 392 Chrysler early hemi thats being developed. Why mess with a sickcylinder engine when you can have a great eight.
If someone developed an all alloy A series Datsun block, i'd be in that like a flash.

Anyone familiar with this process? Are the molds reused or do you make new ones with the wooden models each time? How is the water jacket core removed from inside of the block after the block is cast?

Im not familiar with the process but im sure the molds are reusable and the wooden block dummie is just the design to make the mold from.
I know many would object but Ive taken backflips with the twin cam fiat engine (too heavy) and the rotor (too noisy) but looking at a rare but cheap all alloy pushrod L4.
First I contemplated the 849 series renault (die cast not sand cast! since 1966!!! even the sr20 nissan is a heavy sand cast!) with forged rods and crank as in the renault 17 gts (108hp DIN and 120hp SAE from factory with single carb and stock 10.25 to 1 comp and stock 40mm inlets!!!! a-la-ferals race a13 and 35.5 exhaust valves). Its a die cast light alloy block and head engine with 79mm bore and 84 stroke to give 1647cc and can be taken to almost 1780cc through the bore. Its pushrod and was used in the championship winning rally alpines (they won 1,2,3 positions in monte carlo 71-73!!!) and they were mainly from the old r16! at 1470cc. R12 engines 1200cc made 160hp at 7000rpm in the r12 Gordinis!!!
However after more researching around renaults impressive history or reliability and design I found that the 79-84 renault 20tl and Ls and some others had a 88 mm bore x 82 mm stroke all alloy 1995cc pushrod monster. After talking to a renault club member in Victoria he also informed me of the 829 model`s amazing short pushrod design which was the last contribution in evolution of their pushrod all alloy engines.
I know Ive mentioned my disappointment of renaults takeover of nissan after some heavy research I see renault now as an important part of nissan and they are a great company that has helped nissan this year become very profitable and allowed them success through streamlining their core products so they wouldnt try like in the past to compete with every toyota model released which was killing nissan`s quality control and in the end many japanese were turning away from nissan which hurt the company so much it almost crumbled (much like Fuji heavy metal industries is now facing with their subaru wrx being the only product to keep them afloat).
I never liked any renaults styling except in the magically sexy Alpine 110, but renault engines have a flawless reputation and its not uncommon to see them hit 350,000 kms without dramas.
Their formula one engines are of legend too.
Now I now some might be thinking why bother with a pushrod but I want to keep it old skool no pullution gear as its pretty much indistinguishable from the 74 r17 model engine, I like the reliability of pushrods (even I can play with them) and at extra 400cc crossflow centre sparkplug hemi design and around 20kgs lighter it could make my 1K feel like a monster. At stock it makes 110hp at 5750rpm and with the right compression, cam, twin 44 mikunis weber and tuned exaust it could easily make 160hp without stressing. The fairladys old 2ltr pushrod made 150hp but the U20 engine weighed 150kg plus.
If the engines are from the ugly renault 20tl (829 and 843) The water pump and outlet and dizzy will suit rwd. Ill need to get and adaptor from Rod hadfield and run a toyota box or another common 5speed.
I will label it with datsun signature on the rocker cover of course.

As for the 6 cylinder alloy work of art it goes to show someones love and devotion for his choice of car. Austin Healeys fetch a high price indeed with many examples over the 35000 mark and even 60000 mark and although its not my choice of engine if I had the technical knowledge, time and love of A series I wouldnt hesitate making a big capacity version in magnesium alloy with steel sleeves of course and anythign else needed to stop it going off like a bomb
However since I dont have the ability, an already available renault engine with the qualities mentioned will have to do.

heres a link with a pic of the 17ts engine 1665cc with the wrong type water pump and alternator position. The one with the RWD type ancillaries comes in the R20tl series. However the alternator mount has to be repositioned in both series.
http://home5.swipnet.se/~w-55301/thomas/motor/17data.html

Heres another link to check out the valve sizes and other stuff
http://www.laffey.co.uk/renault/renault1517.php

Now if anyone can find more info on the renault 829 engine please let me know
Most of the stuff is in french! any frogs out there??

Heres another yummie unstressed 113hp pushrod hemi design engine superior to the A series but like the A has a iron block.
http://www.laffey.co.uk/toyota/celica1600coupe.php

http://home.sprintmail.com/~paulzielinski/page4.html
Check this thread for the innards of the 843 and weight.
155lbs using heavier 16lbs flywheel with 8.5lbs flywheel like datomans itll be 66 kgs all up thats a fair bit lighter than an a15.

The block alone weighs just under 13kgs.

The pattern is used to make the sand molds. The material that binds the mold material (sand) breaks down with the heat of casting. The material in the water jackets is removed through the core holes that become the welsh/freeze plug holes.