Okay im sure this is gonna be kinda tough. I was gonna manufacture some parts however it has come to my attention that metel isnt all that cheap. I was curious if anyone knows how to find out what engine blocks and heads and other parts of the car are made out of? Such as the type of steel or aluminum or iron? IF you have any idea in general even if it doesnt pertain to a fiero i woudl greatly appreciate it.

Get a magnet if it sticks it is steel if it does not it is aluminum. If it rusts it is steel or iron. This should help unless you have exotic metals.
Richey

have you tried the old tin/aluminum can recycling test: using a magnet?

if the magnet is attracted, it's an iron type of metal, if not, most likely aluminum?

-Jeff

edit: guess I took too long to type that up...

[This message has been edited by chameleogaz (edited 03-05-2004).]

ok thanks but what i really wanted to know was more of the more manufactured blocks that are iron. I am curious as to how i would determine the content of iron compare to other impurities or added material such as tin and copper? I didnt knwo if maybe there was a place to lfind out what GM or Ford put into there blocks at certain times i know fo ra few years GM cast into there blocs what the composition was. Thanks

Fe is the main constituent of the Fiero blocks, with small amounts of other elements added for various reasons. About the only additive that really makes a difference would be Ni, if you can add enough of that it really increases the durability of a block or head.

Aluminum is easier to cast a block out of, but isn't as durable. Steel? Man, the tooling for that would be expensive, but the block would be really, really strong.

JazzMan

Can you lift it with one arm? Aluminum

EDS

Energy Dispersive Spectrometry.

The machines are used in quality control labs and in the semiconductor industry.

Universities sometimes have the equipment. Might get expensive.