Donovan Engineering Blocks
Donovan Engineering has been making aluminum racing engine blocks for over 40 years. For leading race engine builders who win by design, Donovan gives you the finest materials and latest engineering.
Each Donovan block is cast from strontium-modified B356 alloy with special heat treat. Four- and five-axis machining centers assure the tightest tolerances and latest machined surfaces.
Donovan Engineering Quality by Design!
Quality is by design at Donovan Engineering.
ALL BLOCKS FEATURE
Choice of Castings:
- Full-Water
- Half-Water
- Solid

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Donovan Engineering Main Caps
- Main Caps – Ductile Iron 4-Bolt
- Fastener Grade 16 studs, nuts, washers
- Angle studs with hex heads for easy removal
Donovan Engineering Cylinder Sleeves:
- Ductile Iron Centri
- Removable and Replaceable
- Dry Sleeve is surrounded by cast aluminum
- All bore sizes undersize for finish hone by builder
- Recommend finish decking by builder

Donovan Engines Head Stud Kit
Each block comes with:
- Grade 16 studs
- Studs manufactured in-house
- 12-point nuts
- Heat treated and ground washers
Donovan Engines Small Parts Kit
- Water core plugs with O-rings
- Head dowels
- Bellhousing dowels
- Bronze cam thrust shim
Donovan Engineering’s Big Block aluminum engine blocks are available in four basic configurations.
D500, and Raised Cam: RC 600
Each block is custom-made to suit each engine builder’s requirements, and comes with:
- Head Stud Kits — studs, nuts, and washers
- Block Kit — core plugs, dowel pins, etc.
- Ductile Iron Sleeves
- Main Caps with studs, nuts and washers
High Cam blocks raise the cam 0.400″ on RC 600 to allow for stroker cranks. Special cam bore sizes are available upon request.
Deck Heights on D500 and RC 600 can range from 9.800″ – 10.300″.
Lightweight is done by special request only, and is recommended for static show cars/trucks/marine applications only.
Donovan Engineering’s Small Block Chevy style aluminum engine blocks are available in three basic Priority Oiling configurations.
HC 400s, the 410s, and the 350/400
Each block is custom-made to suit each engine builder’s requirements, and comes with:
- Head Stud Kits — studs, nuts, and washers
- Block Kit — core plugs, dowel pins, etc.
- Ductile Iron Sleeves
- Main Caps with studs, nuts and washers
Lightweight options can include removal of engine mounts, oil filter and/or fuel pump bosses. Lifter valley and exterior shaving/profiling are options, as well.
Raised Cam “HC” blocks raise the cam 0.390″ to allow for stroker cranks which can be sized for either 350 or 400. Special cam bore sizes are available upon request.
Deck Heights range from 9.025″ – 9.500″, while cylinder bore sizes can also be specified as either 4.00″ or 4.125″, all undersized for finish honing.
Donovan’s Historic 417 aluminum engine block is now available in Billet and Original Casting.
Std 417 Hemi,
and
NEW Billet 417 Hemi
With over 5 MILLION lines of code, Donovan Engineering is proud to announce the Billet 417 Hemi.
This block blends decades of manufacturing experience with Mastercam’s CAD/CAM technology.
The result is the Ultimate 417 Hemi aluminum engine block.
Be sure to watch this Block’s Video !
For racers who want the original 417 Donovan cast block, Donovan Engineering provides these original 417 cast hipped solid aluminum blocks.