Staged'2Discover's 71 GS Stage 1

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Hey Guy's just thought I would post a youtube video of my 71 Stage 1 that somebody took of my car at a local car show. My car is in the very begining.

Let me know what you think!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_jYjv5mH3Q

Tom

[punk55]

Looks very nice and fast. Put a four speed in your '70, you want believe how much fun it is.

[1 bad gs]

looks great tom! you and i should photograph our cars together, as my plates also rear 1 BAD GS.:laugh:

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Thanks for the compliments.

It is quick and will run on pump gas because of the 308S cam's late intake valve closing, but it does get a little VP c-112 blended every so often. ( It's really a roll bar car on the street)

This year I installed the stage two hood and recently started experimenting with different carbs spacers and tuning. The M/T radial slicks are again in need of replacement.

hey 1Bad GS I'll photo shoot with you anytime. Not quite sure what my plans are for the BPG or BG Nats, But if I do bring it down I'll let you know.

BTW we are stripping the 70 down and the 4 speed swap looks like an 80% deal. Now to find a decent trans, clutch etc.

Tom

[Stg'd 2Discover]

some still pics
http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww266/stage1_2009/502.jpg
http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww266/stage1_2009/510-1.jpg

http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww266/stage1_2009/464.jpg
http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww266/stage1_2009/485.jpg
http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww266/stage1_2009/508.jpg

[Stg'd 2Discover]

The car is a single owner, with an original 91,000 miles with factory installed buckets and console.
It was rustproofed before delivery and seldom driven in winter and from the mid 70's was was stored almost every winter.

In 02 I started a "frame on" restoration and removed the creature comforts. No PS, PB (manual discs only) & did a radio delete. As a Canadian car it was common not have ben ordered with air.

This spring I installed a stage II hood for better induction and spacer tuning.

The 464 turns to 3.73's and superior axles in a 12 bolt through a custom made 3.5" driveshaft and a full manual BB code TH400 with 3800-4000 stall convertor.



Engine: 76 block-464 11.2-1cr (beefer block that has no drilled drain plugs)
Oiling modifications with an old KB baffled deep pan
T/A-308 solid lifter cam, T/A roller rockers
Bullldog heads worked to 325/225
T/A single plane c/w Wilson Taper spacer (it works)
Quick Fuel/Proform- Q 1050 cfm 4150 series carb
2" over chasis Hooker Super Comp headers
Built bottom but no girdle

Idles at 1050 rpm with 6" vaccum and makes decent power from as low as 3000 clean to 6500 (high limit in 2 step)
Locked mech advance HEI body with MSD and a 20 degree start retard
1/2" fuel pickup & line to regulator through an Aeromotive SS pump
Howe roundy round Aluminum rad

The suspension includes 90/10 fronts and QA-1 adjustable billet rear shocks with SSM lift bars, adjustable Eddy uppers and triangulation supports.
and it rides only on MT radial slicks all the time.



Tom

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Some more Pics

http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww266/stage1_2009/499.jpg
http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww266/stage1_2009/487.jpg
http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww266/stage1_2009/509.jpg
http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww266/stage1_2009/188.jpg
http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww266/stage1_2009/470.jpg


Tom

[bignastyGS]

Is that your STI as well?? I am seeing a color pattern here...

[1 bad gs]

looks like you have plenty of ground clearance with those headers tom.:TU:

[kick71]

Super Nice 71' Tom!:beer

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Thanks for the compliments.

The 04 STI's my my son's daily driver and is slightly modded with a 3" exhaust and stage II tune. Runs 12.80 in full Street trim, no soft tires.
He's also into GS's/Skylarks and is presently doing a frame off 70 that will probably end up as a tribute GSX.

Tom

[Stg'd 2Discover]

A pic of the 464 out of the car.

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Here's a touched up photo that makes the car look like an artist's rendering.
Thanks to 70 buick 455 for his artistic touch.

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Some Pic of the build up.
The start, blue tint primer, rad support painted

[Stg'd 2Discover]

body build pics 2
Stripped down, detail of underside of hood, disassembled 2nd time for painting, fresh out of paint shop

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Body Pics 3,

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Build up pics 4

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Pic set 5. Engine related Pics

Shown are the Bulldog 110 heads (slightly massaged), the top inside side of the motor, the old 2" over chassis Hooker Supercomps, and line hone timing set. Notice the extra insulation I used on the front to rear oil balance line as it's close to exhaust ports 4 & 6.
At the time of this pic time I used 3/8 crmoly pushrods with edm hole solid lifters to be later replaced by 5/16 pushrods and high band top oil limiting comp cam chevy solids. The Wiseco's achieve the desireable .040 quench. This quench combined with polished al head chamber and the late intake closing of the 308S is partly what makes a 11.2 cr motor liveable on the street with 94 octane.

Tom

[David Butts]

Cool car, Nice Strat. Strum on my Buick brotha :TU: Got a few Fenders myself.

[RapidRick]

"Nicey Nice" buildup, and finished product too :TU:

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Misc, Pic set 6

A pic of the 1050 carb. Bought a Quick Fuel 1050 body and glass window bowls and converted the earlier 950 Proform over to new specs.
Some Autometer stuff.

Tom

[Stg'd 2Discover]

More Pics
This time it's the Fuel system out back.
The repro 3 pipe fuel tank, an Aeromotive SS fuel pump, & homemade 1/2" pick from an old sending unit. (excuse the surface rust on the old sending unit as it started out as an experiment that I ended up using and never took out)

A billet fuel filter (not shown) is piped into the 1/2" blue anodized supply line. The 1/2" ID blue hose is industrial rated and is fuel resistant.


The 71 & up tanks had an internal baffle to keep fuel around the pickup so I never sumped the tank.

To build the pickup, I took an old sending unit and removed the existing return line. Drilled it's opening out to accomodate 1/2" tube and silver solderd this in place with an elbow. Inside the tank 1/2" tubing drops down to a teflon hose end that locates the suction close to the baffle.

Tom

[73BuickGS455]

Beautiful GS! what kind of mufflers do you have on the car, while it is in the video at least?

[sailbrd]

Tom,
Are you close enough to bring that to the Bricks and Dream cruise? We would love to see it.

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Beautiful GS! what kind of mufflers do you have on the car, while it is in the video at least?

Presently and in the video 3" Flowmaster 40's with no crossover.

Tom

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Tom,

Are you close enough to bring that to the Bricks and Dream cruise? We would love to see it.


Sailbird,
When is this?

A few years ago we drove it in 90 deg weather to Grand Isle NY to the regional BCA meet.

Last year's plan to bring it it to the 2009 BG Nationals were foiled because of last minute trailer issues. May try again this fall, work schedule permitting.

Missed out on the BPG Nats this year due to family.

I'll make it down one day!

Tom

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Side by side pics of the two different looks of the car this year.
GS stock hood with 72 inserts and the Stage 2 scoop with semi flat black paint treatment.

Tom

[rack-attack]

Your car looks and sounds awesome.

I like everything you have done to it!!

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Some Pics of the work that went into inner fenders and rad support because of Battery acid attack. I wanted to keep the same inner fenders as they were already clearanced for the over chassis Hooker Super Comp 2" headers.

Tom

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Some older pics of the bright work.

The bumpers were replated by Cambridge Chrome as well the headlight buckets were totally done. The front and rear window mouldings were buffed.
At one pont the car had 4 nos wheel lip moulds and rocker mouldings. Some wear now. (burnouts ? )
I found a VG shape NOS remote control mirror at BG nats to replace what I had.
For the Stage two hood I'd like to get a better hood lip moulding.

Tom

[J.Staged]

Hey Tom, great looking car, like the way you have it all setup.

How is the custom 1/2 pickup tube working out in the tank and how long is the suction tube that picks up fuel from the back of the tank. my tank is sumped with 2 black holleys hanging out in back.

The proform body; is it a 950 body that can be orderd, mine is old school epoxied-air horn cut off. Now using 1000 hp, but everyones opinion about that carb states its no better than a 950.:rolleyes:

In the vid the car sounds great and looks easy to drive with the 308 cam and that much stall conv., is it driven alot on the street.:grin:

Do you have any track time ET's with the 464, bulldog motor.!!!:TU:

thanks jerrold,

[lostGS]

Tom, very nice car. I just love a great sounding and looing Buick.

Tim

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Hey Tom, great looking car, like the way you have it all setup.

How is the custom 1/2 pickup tube working out in the tank and how long is the suction tube that picks up fuel from the back of the tank. my tank is sumped with 2 black holleys hanging out in back.

The proform body; is it a 950 body that can be orderd, mine is old school epoxied-air horn cut off. Now using 1000 hp, but everyones opinion about that carb states its no better than a 950.:rolleyes:

In the vid the car sounds great and looks easy to drive with the 308 cam and that much stall conv., is it driven alot on the street.:grin:

Do you have any track time ET's with the 464, bulldog motor.!!!:TU:

thanks jerrold,

Thanks for your interest and everyone's compliments. The car is street driven with some effort. (hard steering, manual discs, cam, manual only shift) In the last 5 years I put on around 3000 miles with two different engines. A brief period with a Lunati SP-2 cam and a 180 deg intake with a 950 Proform and then various stages of the Bulldog head Motor using different carbs and driveline changes. (Someone on the board built a 525 -308S cam Bulldog head motor at 780+ HP I Think it was Mr. Paine)

The 1/2" fuel pickup tube combo been working well for the past 2+ years with no issues. No shortage of fuel to the carb or top end lean out from this. I can't tell you what the actual hard tube length into the tank is as the whole thing started as an experiment during the purchase of a new tank. At that time I planning a sump and thought I'd give this a try. I kept cutting the 1/2 hard tubing and bending it slightly sideways, so it cleared the opening. To the the end I attached a thin wall flexible 1/2" ID teflon flex hose at a lenth of 4 to 5" to horizontally rest against tank bottom just infront of the baffle.


For the the 1050 carb build I swapped the 950 Proform zinc body for a 1050 Aluminum QFT body, along with a 50cc secondary pump kit and new 1050 jetting. The new body comes with the correct air beeds, and shooters installed. There was a noticeable difference in the top end but not as much until I installed the Wilson taper spacer, more jetting and changed to the open stage II scoop. Now I'm looking at a 3 circuit conversion.


In the video the car is idling at around 1100 rpm and with full locked advance and warmed up. When its cold it's pretty choppy.

No times to report of with the recent carb changes suspension and trans work. I'll keep you guys posted. ????

[J.Staged]

Tom, thanks for the reply,... falls coming with good ET's awaiting... go chasem Tom. :grin:

jerrold,

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Some Bulldog head flow figures from the original 06 flow tests by FJ Smith in Cayuga Ont. If anything these are conservative numbers.


Tom

[Stg'd 2Discover]

A progression of Heads

First used stage 1 castings no port work with Comp Cams 230-230, then Lunati SP-2 cam (235-245) in a 9.6 CR 462 motor.

Next 462 motor had big port 67 castings ported 286 I & 205 E (with 71 GM stage 1 valves) on 73 block using 11:1 cr, with a custom Lunati grind at 241-248 and later a lunati 253-270 (SP-4 cam) The 241-248 cam only stayed in motor for a few hundred miles and sits on my cam desk today.

Back to the 9.6 compression SP-2 standby motor but with a 950cfm and planned on using 67 heads with new T/A 2.13- 1.75 SS valves. Never reused heads on any of my motors.

Then straight to build up a blue block based motor with Aluminum heads as described earlier in this thread.

Next steps are to port the Bulldogs beyond bowl blend and wall smoothing to unlock some of the potential of these.

1st pic Ported 67 big ports with 71 GM valves
2nd pic Ported 67 with T/A Replacement SS valves
3rd pic Stock Bulldog high port design that used standard intake
4th pic Bulldog closed heat crossover
5th pic Bowl work with untouched guide area
6th pic Casting showing raised rocker pedestal and large pushrod holes
7th Pic Direct intake with port smoothing only
8th As received purchase of unfinished Bulldog casting

Tom

[Stg'd 2Discover]

The Head pics for above.

Tom

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Planning to bring it to BG in a few weeks.

Mounted a new set of MT drag radials
Mounted the factory rear anti sway bar to the lift bars and am experimenting with some additional shock tuning to overcome some traction issues. If this doesn't work I 'll switch to either a Sphon or HR rear bar. (A member on Team Chevelle site claimed almost 3 /10's in 60 fts using the Sphon bar)

Rebuilt the 950 Quick fuel to use, while the 1050 will be out for 3 circuit mods.

Today discovered an slight antifreeze leak from the water pump after some back road blasting with the above stuff. More stuff to do. (But it felt good in the 62deg cool dry weather)


Tom

[MattRush10]

Tom, where did you get the stage 2 hood? I've always been a fan of them, and it looks great!

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Tom, where did you get the stage 2 hood? I've always been a fan of them, and it looks great!

The stage 2 hood came from Poston Enterprises when they were still in business. I believe VFN is the only other supplier now.

Tom

[MattRush10]

Really the scoop is all you would need to do it yourself, right? It's just a normal hood with a whole and the scoop riveted or bolted on, right?

EDIT: Just looked on their website and the scoop is all they sell, so I guess I was stating the obvious! But how difficult did you find mounting the scoop and cutting the hole?

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Really the scoop is all you would need to do it yourself, right? It's just a normal hood with a whole and the scoop riveted or bolted on, right?

EDIT: Just looked on their website and the scoop is all they sell, so I guess I was stating the obvious! But how difficult did you find mounting the scoop and cutting the hole?

I used a stock Skylark hood and located the Stage II scoop on the hood tracing its perimeter. Then measured in the distance of mounting flange for the hole size. I wanted the opening to match the scoop size1) for the most air flow, 2) to reduce the hood weight as much as possible, 3) to build a rectangular ram air plenum box in the future.
Some only cut a round hole an 1" or so bigger than their air cleaner and center the scoop mounting over it.
To cut the opening I used a die grinder with a cutoff wheel. Others have used a sabre saw.

For the big black stripe we measured in from the side the same distance as a GSX hood.

See pics opening size pic below.

[MattRush10]

I used a stock Skylark hood and located the Stage II scoop on the hood tracing its perimeter. Then measured in the distance of mounting flange for the hole size. I wanted the opening to match the scoop size1) for the most air flow, 2) to reduce the hood weight as much as possible, 3) to build a rectangular ram air plenum box in the future.
Some only cut a round hole an 1" or so bigger than their air cleaner and center the scoop mounting over it.
To cut the opening I used a die grinder with a cutoff wheel. Others have used a sabre saw.

For the big black stripe we measured in from the side the same distance as a GSX hood.

See pics opening size pic below.


It never even occurred to me to make a rectangular hole instead of the fitted round one- it sure does make sense! I gotta say, in your opinion, your car is the best looking GS I've seen. I love the color combo and I love the single stripe, instead of the normal split. Great stuff, Tom! :TU:

Oh and one more question- I can't seem to find that air cleaner anywhere... Who makes it and how tall is it? Thanks.

[Stg'd 2Discover]

It never even occurred to me to make a rectangular hole instead of the fitted round one- it sure does make sense! I gotta say, in your opinion, your car is the best looking GS I've seen. I love the color combo and I love the single stripe, instead of the normal split. Great stuff, Tom! :TU:

Oh and one more question- I can't seem to find that air cleaner anywhere... Who makes it and how tall is it? Thanks.

Thanks for the compliment on the car.

The air cleaner base can be any a 360 deg. open element type that fits your carb. For my engine a 1" drop base with a 4" x 14" K&N element and filter top worked. Summit sells them and also has them n 5" & 6" heights.
I tried to get the air cleaner about half way up into the direct air stream so there would be also benefit of air flow through the lid.

By cuting the rectangular opening there is a noticeable difference in weight between the stage II hood and a stock GS hood. That center part of the hood brace and stock 70 GS cast grilles are heavier than you would think.

Tom

[Stg'd 2Discover]

A video of some dry hops & exhaust noise on the driveway
http://s726.photobucket.com/albums/ww266/stage1_2009/?action=view&current=P1000178.mp4

Tom

[Stg'd 2Discover]

I made it down to the 2010 BG GS Nationals after all.
Drove the car everywhere and even had the chance to get over to Quick Fuel for converting the 1050 QFT to a 3 circuit carb. As it turned out, Zack offered to check the existing build out on their BBC mule motor for a baseline and after some fine tuning adjustments recommended against the conversion for any additional benefits. (at least for the way this particular carb responded)

Friday was a beautiful day so I entered the car in the car show. A couple of Pics below. More to follow.

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Bowling Green 2010 Pics #2.
Some track testing day shots

Tom

[67SS427]

Good looking car!

[Steve Yahnke]

Sowhat the hell did it turn:Do No: :Do No:

[Stg'd 2Discover]

I ran it in total driven there, full street condition with no tuning, no roll bar and the old Pae switch Pitch convertor at 11.46 - 119- 1.67 60's, but it does have 10's in it with a different convertor, H R bar, lash/carb/ignition tuning and better driver than me.

Tom

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Some more 2010 BG track shots by "Warped" from his friday photo collection.

Tom

[gusszgs]

Sowhat the hell did it turn:Do No: :Do No:

X2......holy build it up "batman" :Dou:

[Stg'd 2Discover]

The 30th GSCA nationals were great and I had the time of my life, but now back to the reality of life and face pulling the 5 year old motor.
This past weekend I found Ultra fine copper particles in the oil filter and the pressure is now staying about 10 Psi lower across the board. (still in acceptable limits)
I must have hurt it on the first run as hot idle dropped to 16psi. Despite this the car kept running mid elevens consitently at almost 120 with sooty old plugs and the mismatched PAE switch pitch convertor.

Hopefully no block damage.

Later Tom

[Steve Yahnke]

excellent...very impressive

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Just pulled the motor out and number 3 and number 4 main bearings were solid copper. The others were normal.

Tom

[Stg'd 2Discover]

This is what what the bottom end of the motor looked like when it ran a string of mid elevens. Number 4 main was pure copper and deformed into an oval but had not spun. Number 3 bearing also was worn badly. All the rod bearings looked ok, the cam and lifters were ok, pistons /rings ok, as was the rest of the valvetrain and heads. I'm surprised it had 16 psi oil press and 55-60 under throttle.

There was some serious movement and/or misalignment down there that probably cost 45 to 50 hp. The oil balance line saved the rest of the engine by supplying enough volume so the rods wouldn't starve and the cam area was still lubed. Notice the normal colour rod bearing that was fed from main # 4 (worn down to copper)

The day after tommorrow the block goes in for crack checking. So far nothing visible. If it's ok I may reuse it as in option #1 below. Otherwise option#2 or 3

Option 1) Do another line hone with ARP main bolts (No studs this time) half block fill, and redone crank
Option 2) I'll use my old 73 462 block that I know has a good line hone (watched them do it), hog out the bores from .030 over to .038, cut the decks to .010 also with 1/2 fill and ARP Bolts.

Option 3) redo a complete spare blue block and mild stroke it with some kind of girdle.

What do you think?

Tom

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Some other 30th BG pics

Views:
Beech Bend Raceway gates while registering
Friday Car show 2 more pics
Finshed at tech
Drive through the pits
Burnout of 4th pass

Tom

[sean Buick 76]

Nice car! What is the wheel/tire combo?

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Nice car! What is the wheel/tire combo?

Thanks for the compliment.
The wheel tire combo:

15 x 8 rear Weld wheels with 275 x 60 x 15 Mickey Thompson ET Street radials
15x 6 front Weld wheels with 205 x 75 x 15 steel belt dept store radials


Tom

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Update on the motor:

The crank was in to the crank grinder and and was found to have a 1.5 thou warp in the center. This could have been part of the main bearing wear. All bearing surfaces cleaned up with a polish but #4 still looked like it had chemical damage, so all the mains will be ground to .30 under @ low limits. Rods journals stay at .10 under.

No word on the block checking & line hone yet but I decided to stay with main studs. Ordered a new set of ARPs to replace the neck down version that were previously used.

So far it's looking like the old block will be reused. Most peripheral parts have been ordered, like new Gaskets, a new set of double groove cam bearings from Mike at T/A.



Tom

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Ordered a Finishline Motorsports halo girdle that they used on the 703 HP E-85 motor. This will tie the five mains together for a more stable bottom end give me some peace of mind over main cap movement. It also looks like the KB deepened stocker pan may fit.

Tom

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Some other old photo shots of the car in it's stage 1 look and in the bodyshop that I haven't posted before.

Tom

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Meanwhile back at the 2010-2011 motor rebuild;

Here's what the Finishline Halo Girdle looks like. Notice the champhered edges to clear the crank throws for a nice tight fit. Geoff say he has motors with stock oil pans fitting these.

The heads are appart in the basement and I 'll clean up some of the valve guide area and port match the exhaust. Everything looks good but I'll change the seals anyway. Then off for some additional flow testing.

Today I pick up the oil pump gears, plate and new timing cover.


Tom

[Freakazoid]

Tom, you have a fine ride. thanks for sharing the pics.

[Stg'd 2Discover]

A little update on the new motor progress. (Pics to follow)

The block with Halo girdle is back at home. With some careful metal bashing I almost have the KB deep pan fitting. Just an 1/8" in one area.

I've flowed the heads again on a different flow bench for a baseline reference and they are pretty close to the numbers shown before and am presently still modifying the short turn radius and guide area.

Today is my birthday and I treated myself to an SPX (ported by Greg Gessler) and a 1050 Dominator.

Doing something with rods next. ?

Lifes good.
And thanks for the continued compliments.
Tom

[sriley531]

I just bought a stage 2 scoop and was searching for some pictures on here for reference. After running across your thread, your car has become the model for what mine will be(looks wise)!! (except mine will be code 48 sherwood green). Very nicely done!! If mine turns out anywhere even close to as nice as yours, I'll be on cloud 9 for a long time!!

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Some pic's of where I'm at with the engine.

[Postsedan]

Tom,

Very impressive build. I love the color, stance, hood and all the pics. Thanks for sharing.

Great Job:TU:

[Stg'd 2Discover]

I just bought a stage 2 scoop and was searching for some pictures on here for reference. After running across your thread, your car has become the model for what mine will be(looks wise)!! (except mine will be code 48 sherwood green). Very nicely done!! If mine turns out anywhere even close to as nice as yours, I'll be on cloud 9 for a long time!!

A closer pic for you, of the stage 2 scoop to hood.

Tom

[GSX1]

That is a very nice Build

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Thanks GSX1

Where I'm at now:(enginewise)

Haven't received the Dominator/SPX combo. Should be at end of the month.

Waiting to re flow the heads from the short turn radius and exhaust port work I did. The 5 angle valve job still looked good so I only hand lapped the valves (didn't need to but what the heck) and changed the valve seals

Bought some Mic's and a dial bore Gauge to more accurately measure the clearances. These turned out to be .0025 on mains and .022 rods

The old baffled Kenne Bell Oil pan now fits the halo girdle but I may still get a fabricated 8 -9 qt.

Tom

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Some other past shots of the car.

Tom

[Freakazoid]

A closer pic for you, of the stage 2 scoop to hood.

Tom

Tom very impressive build, Love the Stage 2 Hood set up. There are always alot of guys looking for a GS Hood out there. But to me If I could not find one I would be completly happy with a Stage 2 like yours. I better check out my old skylark hood and make sure its safe out of the weather. You never know....Who sells the best Stage 2 scoop ?

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Thanks Freakazoid.

Engine Progress,

I received the Dominator and ported SPX setup and did a mock assembly of the heads, intake, covers and a NOS balancer to get a glimpse of that it will look like and check the port alignment with the heads.
The rods are still next and holding things up. In a pinch the reworked stockers do have some life left in them and I could use them, but that would be a tick tick situation as this motor easily spins to 6500.

Tom

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Some more old shots of the car 6 years ago.
In this former version the car had a 9.6 -1 cr 462 with 295 -50 rubber, GS hood, and a 2.5" exhaust. Built the motor in the early 90's and it's still together today in the 70.

Tom

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Update on the engine.


I ordered a replacement 308S cam as I wasn't throughly happy with the slight wear from the debris that went though the oil. After checking the actual lobe lift, there were a few down between .010 to .016"

The heads were reflowed and are up to 335 from 325 on the intakes with the slight short turn radius work. I even lapped the valves on assembly (what the hey)

The motor was mock assembled from carb to pan and all rotational clearances checked.

Still stuck on the replacement rods, but did verify that trueness of the stockers just as a back up.

Tom

[td99]

hey Tom when you used the halo did you have to re align hone the mains?

Cody

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Yes I did. The main caps were squared and milled flat and assembled with halo and studs and torqued in multiple stages. Then line honed to mid limits.
This halo is a very nice piece.

Tom

PS The replacement 308S cam and Comp Cams 2900 high band BBC lifters have arrived.

[Stg'd 2Discover]

I thought I'd share a few photos of the "G Force" racing cross member that I just picked up from Summit. This is one rigid structure that bolts solidly onto your frame with 7/16 bolts and has large exhaust pipe hoops for additional pipe or collector extension clearance.

Compare the stock big block member and its pipe clearance humps to the G force one. Now I can try open exhaust with those 3 1/2" collector extensions.

Tom

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Update on 464 rebuild engine project.

The replacement cam is holding things up a bit. Once I sort out what position will work out best, I'll degree it in.

Stef's is making me up an aluminum oil pan even though I did get the Kenne Bell deepened one to fit. I'm particular about oiling and oil starvation these days so this one will have a trap door, and more baffling and will be used in conjuction with a crank scraper/screen.

Tom

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Back to the cam.
I now have two 308S cams.
A completely refurbished old one, with some added intake duration and the recent replacement version. Can you visually tell them appart from the side by side pics? Both came from the same cam grinder. Actually the better looking one is the regrind. It's core's clean appearance was detailed with lobe side clearance machining.

Both shafts were checked and degreed at cylinders 1 & 6, checked for runout, warpage and consistency of timing events and lifts between cylinders. I 'm a stickler for this kind of detail. (must be my mechanical engineering background) The final plan is to use the old one with 270 intake duration, set up at a 106 intake CL. This works out to be a 2 degree advance on the .005 oversize rollmaster timing set. (Remember I had it line honed.)

The Stef's pan and pickup are now in transit.

Tom

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Here it is, fresh from delivery; "Stef's aluminum BBB Oil Pan to work with the Finishline Halo"

Stef's made this from the halo installation photo's, some phoned in measurements, and in conjuction with their BBB test blocks.

I wanted good oil control and to use the existing AMP crank scraper so the pan was designed accordingly. The goal was not to just get a nice looking plan providing clearance without oil management. I would have then kept the clearanced KB pan.

Here's how it came out:

Aluminum (.090 gage) 100% Tig welded inside & out
.250 Thick pan rails
Sump reinforcement plates front & back (a la Super Comp/Gas/ FC pans)
An increase in capacity without an overly deep sump that would be exposed to road debris
With an Acceleration baffle
With a Deceleration baffle
With a Trap door assembly having deaeration ports
With a Teflon coated unidirectional windage screen in the sump area
With a sturdy Matching Pickup to clear the Halo
And a Magnetic drain plug.

So far everything looks good. The dipstick hole in the windage screen was decided to be field cut depending on how the dipstick actually located past the Halo. (my choice)

These guys know all kinds of oil management from Nascar to Top fuel and do very nice work.:TU:

Now its final assembly time.

Tom

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Motor's together, installed and we broke in the cam in on Father's day. Just need to install the inner valve springs, some tuning and then try it.

A few pic's in getting to where I am now.

Tom

[ralph sr.]

Awsum job! Good luck to you.:TU:

[td99]

Tom what size valve spring are you using?

Cody

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Cody,

I'm using a Comp Cams 1.55 double spring installed at 1.900 giving me 130psi on the seat. Lift is around .600 at 300 psi and change on the nose.


Tom

[td99]

did you have to clearance the rocker arms at all Tom?

[Stg'd 2Discover]

With the Bulldog heads the spring side of the Rocker was fine.

In the begining I used 3/8 pushrods and had to clearance on the pushrod side. Later switched to T/A 5/16 and these are working well. If you have TA or stock heads you'll need to clearance on the spring side with those diameter springs.

Tom

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Just an update,

The engine's running fine with the mods, but I did have some starter issues for a while. The battery ground cable ran into some resistance issues after break in.

Oil Pressure cold goes to 96 psi at 2000 rpm . Warm stays between 25 to 33 psi using Rotella. and has at least 12 psi per 1000 rpm. Also keeping in mind this motor is not a tight bearing motor.

Also the orignal issue three circuit 9375 dominator is not a low rpm cruise friendly carb and does tend load up rich at light cruise rpm. It's excellent though for pure stab & steer. I didn't want to modify the good race carb characterisics so I switch from the 4500 Dominator and a 1050- 4150 body Quick Fuel for cruising.

Tom

[70purplerag]

Off topic but what color is your car Tom? Looks great. I am using the stage 2 scoop on my car and looking for a great blue color. Do you have any larger picks?

Sound like a blast to drive, enjoy it!

Kevin

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Kevin
The color is a 02 Mopar truck blue. It suits an A Body GM

Attached Pic from last year.

Tom

[Stg'd 2Discover]

Further to the above the Mopar paint code is PB3

Tom