Messages

16

Matt Shaff's Engine Shop / Re: Chevy ground zero

« on: June 07, 2022, 11:27:21 AM »

Looks like an LS would blow the whole "nostalgia" look

350 plain and simple--use cheapo 11;1  pistons regular rings, cheapo 7 qt rear sump pan regular old oil pump No tricks--NO way hyd in a race engine--go used solid roller, used lifters just check the axles, used springs, used titanium retainers, sweet valve job on whatever heads you score in decent shape  It will run on alky with whatever induction you get and be a fine weekend engine  Turn it 6500 change gears rinse repeat until you retire

17

Spud Miller's Cave / Re: where to buy nitro other than Sunoco

« on: April 26, 2022, 04:20:20 AM »

Mooresville, NC Drag strip owner keeps it and can get it for you Donnie Gibbs

18

Altereds / Re: Thoughts on cooling systems

« on: February 12, 2022, 06:31:26 AM »

Idling back up the return road etc the unit is Rich and Cool--If you are lapping then yup cool her off but I never had cooling drove mine around like I did  and never had an issue--You can't get stuck behind someone blocking the lanes--I used the throttle as a Horn--rump! rump! get out of the way!
Cooling system? then you have water under the tires if you hurt it--or in your face

19

Spud Miller's Cave / Re: Going Price for SBC Fuel Injection System

« on: January 17, 2022, 05:41:55 AM »

FED with injection and a Chute
Right up there with a Friday paycheck, cold beer, and sweet girlfriend

20

Spud Miller's Cave / Re: Going Price for SBC Fuel Injection System

« on: January 17, 2022, 05:37:02 AM »

Skip that carb and do it right! The smiles you will get are priceless--a carb? well... why do it at all

21

Spud Miller's Cave / Re: Going Price for SBC Fuel Injection System

« on: January 17, 2022, 05:34:51 AM »

You have to learn to recognize junk from a good set up--all Look like a FI system but about half are worn slam out junk that need everything--check shaft wear--if they are night nice and tight no slop then figure that you will continue to look at it--look at screw heads on blades--if they are bogered--tells you it has been apart and usually trouble and more $$--Nozzles? a good set is not cheap so if it has gas nozzles and you want to run alky well there goes $$$--The hoses? cracked? More $$--coolant fitting threads usually bogered up , welded closed. etc --if they are good or plugged nice that is a big plus--the pumps--are usually junk--you will need a o size Enderele --new they are crazy--rebuilt they are $$$--a pump that has fresh rebuild tag or check out tag is a BIG plus
port window size? If bigger than a Felpro `1205 gasket opening you have one that has been hogged out no good for your use probably--look for unported unaltered port windows
Mike at Alkydigger will sell you a set up ready to go--it does not look cheap but in the long run after you have experienced misery with your swap meet set up it will look like a sweet deal
The very old very small units are a trap--stay away usually--look for a 2 3/16ths ( IIRC) staggered stack unit --they will support any engine and look way cool--they can be found same price as the others usually --when you sell they are easier to dump--also you will encounter many very late model units that were from sprint car engines--they look modern and sort of kill the nostalgia vibe but...can be just right for a good running engine --many were sized for 300 CI type engines and alky    Study study study look look look--be patient and remember most are half there worn out Traps

22

Front Engine Dragsters / REPO FRAMEWORKS SHIFTERS ON EBAY

« on: November 22, 2021, 10:34:24 AM »

I thought about it --reproducing the wonderful Frameworks Shifter--the Best for a FED  but was told B&M had the patent etc and just did not think it was worth a legal tangle but someone is now making them again--They are on Ebay under powerglide race shifter Hot Shifter for $300  anyone building a car --this is great news--there are just no more used ones around --I urge anybody needing a shifter to check it out

23

Wanted to buy / Re: Miscellaneous Parts Wanted

« on: October 01, 2021, 11:01:02 AM »

should be just fine! look for a used gear on Moparts.com   it used to be The Mopar forum and has calmed down in recent years but many many Helpful mopar guys there t--if you post there you will find a gear for sure

24

Wanted to buy / Re: Miscellaneous Parts Wanted

« on: September 30, 2021, 04:48:27 AM »

Long time Mopar guy here
The 741 was the weakest of the three 8 3/4's  The 742 is the top--straight shimable pinion--easy to set up--the 489 has thick pinion also but used crush sleeve for pinion bearing preload--you can buy a steel spacer to eliminate the crush sleeve but that is added expense--shoot for a 742 for the best --I have broken 741 pinions before
also gear selection is much better for 489 and 742 style units   just a note there are two pinion splines fine and course yokes are interchangeable if splines are correct  Keep your old pinion shims they can be reused and the new ones are usually India or china junk

25

Matt Shaff's Engine Shop / Re: Clearancing connecting rod for camshaft clearance - Procedure?

« on: September 28, 2021, 05:01:44 AM »

I would not---the amount of weight on aluminum would be next to nothing  Run it
Next cam get a ,900 base circle it will clear better  on most combos, that is why they were invented

26

Altereds / Re: First drive in my altered!

« on: September 24, 2021, 06:37:56 AM »

Congrats!

It is the thrill of a lifetime welcome to a pretty small club of guys with permanent grins

27

Matt Shaff's Engine Shop / Re: Clearancing connecting rod for camshaft clearance - Procedure?

« on: September 15, 2021, 06:08:38 PM »

,900 base circle is smaller than Small Base circle and cleared on mine   degreeing cam does matter at that point  measure with a  copper wire of know diameter is how we do it in my shop

28

Matt Shaff's Engine Shop / Re: Rod - cam clearance sbc…

« on: July 18, 2021, 07:59:40 AM »

Probably will need a .900 base  cam to clear--cam has to be degreed close to where it will run to check--
.900 base units look spooky thin but I have run them with giant spring pressures and no issues
You can always clearance the rods but it needs to be Pro done ( I use a mill)

29

Wanted to sell / FLEX PLATE , CONVERTER BOLTS, BRONZE GEAR ETC

« on: June 21, 2021, 08:11:58 AM »

cleaning up
I have two sets ARP flexplate to crank bolts new, one set converter to flex plate bolts ARP 7/16ths, one 39ths set and one Nice REED brand USA made bronze distributor/magneto gear  It is in ex cond--used but almost zero wear--these are old school USA made not china junk  and......ARP oil pump stud kit  new in package
Entire lot $50 shipped free  please email dusterdave173@gmail.com   Thanks

30

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Potential FED Build

« on: April 29, 2021, 05:01:55 AM »

IIRC Shirley Muldowny lost one off wheel at 200MPH nearly cost her life--about then they all changed out to solids and Goodyears

I ran John wheels and Kendas 160 MPH zero issues--FWIW I had scored a set of vintage wires--called John about fixing them turns out they were valuable to restorer guys on west coast so he traded me new set for my old ragged set and everyone got a win--the resto guy that really needed originals and me that really needed new and true and John who could make a buck both ways--Sweet deal for all involved