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WPIX
NY GM engine plant to end production of 'big block' V-8
engine after more than 50 years
CAROLYN THOMPSON
Associated Press Writer
1:33 PM EST, December 18, 2009
TONAWANDA, N.Y. (AP) — General Motors on
Friday marked the end of the line for a class of V-8
engine that's been in production for 51 years.
The auto maker's western New York plant stopped
production of the latest variation of the "big block" V-8
engines. Plant manager Steve Finch called it "the end
of a remarkable era."
The big engine was developed in 1958 to keep up with
the growing size and weight of American automobiles.
Over the years it's been redesigned, with the latest
version, the L18, going into production in 1999. Made
only in Tonawanda, it powers full-size trucks like the
Chevrolet Avalanche and some boats.
Its end puts about 150 employees on indefinite layoff.
"Although it bears older technology by today's standards, the reliability, ease of maintenance and the
overall quality of this engine have made it a steady performer for many years," Finch said before the
last engine rolled off the line at GM's suburban Buffalo complex.
It was the second time in a year the western New York plant has stopped work on an engine. Over the
summer it wrapped up production of a "high value" V-6 engine, which accounted for about 43 percent
of the site's total production volume last year. The company will continue manufacturing smallerdisplacement
"small block" V-8s at other plants.
The large V-8 was the plant's longest-running engine line, but has accounted for only about 3 percent
of total volume lately as emphasis has shifted to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.
The phaseout of both engines was announced in June as part of the auto maker's bankruptcy
restructuring, which spared the plant from closing but not from the loss of 25 to 30 percent of its work
force.
The Tonawanda engine plant — which 20 years ago employed 4,350 people — currently has about
NY GM engine plant to end production of 'big block' V-8 engine after more than 50 years... Page 1 of 2
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663 hourly and 140 salaried workers, spokeswoman Nina Price said.
The facility's main engine line now is the L850, a four-cylinder, 2.2-liter engine found in the
Chevrolet Cobalt and Malibu. The plant also produces a slant 5-cylinder engine.
Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast,
rewritten, or redistributed.
NY GM engine plant to end production of 'big block' V-8 engine after more than 50 years... Page 2 of 2
http I was crying as I read this!

I'm suprised it lasted this far. Technology has come a very long way making more power from smaller packages.

Big old pigged out antiques anyway. Im a HUGE fan of big block chevies but in todays world i am suprised they still continued on. I wonder what Gm will be using in ther large trucks and motorhome chassis, i cant imagine an all diesel fleet?
You can build performance bbc without a single gm part anyway so really not a big deal for the gearheads.
Ryan

Yet another nail in the coffin of iconic performance era...stinks

Don't worry- you can still buy them from GM Performance Parts!

http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/Parts/showcase.jsp

Hal, sorry for your loss....

I wonder what Workhorse will put in their motorhome chassis. Not everyone can afford a diesel and my big 8.1 liter big block really does the job well. Maybe we'll see 7 liter Corvette engines in future Workhorse motorhomes or God forbid V10 Fords