Josh,

If you read the original post, :-)
I never mention magnesium in regards to the WB engine. I mentioned specific
alloys in relation to specific engine types. Mag=T1, Alum=T4 and WB,
Iron=Buick 8. The correction only refers to where in those specific engines
I was referring to those specific alloys experiencing stresses related to
possible crank flex, I was trying to emphasize case/main over an implication
of the crank being made of Mag or Alum. I suppose I could have put the would
"either" between "being" and "magnesium" in the correction post. Check the
original post passage, I pasted it below.

Doug Jones

From post, Tuesday, February 16, 1999 12:31 AM:
>>>>The difference in seeing the damage could be
what the journals (and the case/block) can handle. T1 engines are magnesium
(easily cracked), T4s are aluminum, and I assume (but, don't know) that
wasserboxers are aluminum as well. <<<<

As a correction, I wrote:
>> An error in my post has been pointed out to me.
>>
>> Please look at my post again in case I may have miscommunicated, I meant
to
>> refer to the cases/blocks/mains as being magnesium, aluminum, and steel;
I
>> am fully aware that a crankshaft is made of steel. I guess I should have
>> more fully emphasized the cases just prior to listing the materials. I'd
>> hate to see what a magnesium crank would look like after a single run to
>> redline(if it made it that far).

Josh wrote:
>Actually, there's no magnesium in a waterboxer, except maybe as an
>alloying element in the aluminum alloy case. Type I aircooled vw's,
>and some european type IV engines have cases made from magnesium
>alloy.