As the auto industry abandons traditional cast iron in engine blocks and cylinder heads, consumers are clearly mixed in their acceptance of aluminum.

The traditional shell (hollow) core process uses a cast iron box that looks like the actual cylinder head. “After heating up the box and connecting a hose to it, sand is blown into the mold.

Like its cast-iron brethren, the new aluminum casting uses threaded freeze plugs, and contains a five-bolt motor mount flange for easy and convenient chassis installation.

This 5.0 liter Boss block built by Ford Racing Performance Parts is a cast-iron Modular Motor block built to handle a tremendous increase in horsepower and torque in Ford Mustangs - 5.0 Mustangs ...

The cast-iron engine block may seem like a relic of the past, but that's not so. Dodge and Ram still use it in some of their vehicles. Here's why.