jangy

I understand what you are saying, but don't they start with an MB block in either case?

e1000

absolutely not. For example, if you were to disassemble your 55 engine, you could trace back it's heritage to the M112 V6, then the M113 V8. Although modified, they start life from Mercedes engineering, not AMG. Every engine up to the 63 has been done in this fashion. AMG takes what Mercedes has produced, modifies it, improves on it.

The 63 engine is a clean sheet for AMG. They were able to develop the powerplant all by themselves. The 63 engine does not share it's block with any other MB engine.

So in your instance, Ferrari, Lamborghini both do not hand build thier engines? I don't see what you're trying to say. For me, the 63 engine is hand built in every sense of the word. If you really want an engine that's been beat like the old school porsche engines, so be it. That type of manufacturing isn't consistent nor is it practical.

As far as I know, normal Ford engines are assembled in an assembly line. Multiple people touch each engine and they simply do one function in the build process. There is a LOT of machine automation as well. To me, those engines aren't hand built.

220S

I never said they did

At least not in the context of street cars (eg, the Hammer, the tuned ready for sale cars)

p.s., but they did hand build racing engines at the forge in Burgstall. And that still exists, not as AMG but now as HWA.

jangy

it was a joke. I was just saying that as each tech would start to build a motor, they would get a block built by MB ( i understand the block history but I was keeping it simple)....anyhow, back to day job...