Originally posted by Tails
Hey Virgil, you know if Allison even makes those engines any more? Seems like they would, what with racers and pullers wanting to get their hands on them.
No, they haven't been built in decades. Everyone has been running surplus and scavenged stuff for all this time.
Allison is now, and has been, the truck transmission division of GM for 30+ years.
As opposed to 25 years ago when I was working on them, there are practically no Allisons left in pulling or boat racing. The turbines took over unlimited hydroplane racing, and tractor pulling is mostly dominated by the big block Chevy in a confirugration similar to NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster engines.
Oddly enough, I think Oliver and Eagle make connecting rods, Ferrea makes valves, and a couple of the big name racing piston companies make pistons. Other than that, plus overhaul parts, nothing new is available for the most part. That's why an overhaul costs $25K.
Every once in a while, you'll see some NOS surplus engines creep into the market. They bring more money than you can dream of.