Howdy, I always like little planning project for cars that I'm unlikely to build but here's this months.... I was reading the FAST rules and it sounds like if I used any Windsor series 289/302 block with 65 Heads and manifolds I could run it in a 65 Comet. I doubt this is right but figured I atleast got to ask. Basically if I was to build a 65 Comet, what blocks and/or heads could I use? Thanks,
correct numbers, please unless it has changed, i believe you canONLY USE the correct block and head castings. PERIOD. that stopped me from building a 427 fairlane clone a couple of years ago. good luck.
ok, so 65 block and 65 Heads? hmm.... that does make it significantly more difficult. What if they are identical year to year? Like I have a friend with a 289 2bbl out of a 69 F-100 truck, with a set of real 65 heads I can't use the block? Honestly I wanted one of the later block from the 90's but that is streching it quite a bit. I know very few people FAST Fords and while I'm a Buick man at heart, I have a soft spot for the 65 Comet. I also am thinking about doing a 4dr since it's about 100lb heavier than a 2dr 404, has better weight distribution, and is actually lighter than a 2dr caliente, not mention that I found 2 of them in very, very nice shape close by for cheap. Thanks,
It wouldn't be real hard to find those parts if you looked in my garage. In fact you would find a whole 65 Comet Cyclone 4-speed car. It's red with a black interior. Heater delete car from South Carolina. Would make your project pretty easy ................... :3gears:
forum rules... :Brow: john-i believe if you are offering something for sale you have to list a price-or are you just teasing us???LOL!! :spank:
yeah that is cruel and unusual punishment to mention something like that as if its for sale if you aren't offering it, and if you are its probably out of my reach but I still wouldn't mind hearing about it. Besides I'm unusual, I like the more doors for some of the smaller cars, makes them look more balanced, such as the 61-62 specials and the 65 Comet. I'm thinking a C4 Automatic would be easier to come by and more repeatable anyway, even though I have no idea if they made a Comet 404 4dr with a 4spd. Reading the Hot Rod "secrets of the Factory Apearing Drags" Hemidave is running a '68 Hemi block in his 71 Challenger so I think I can get away with my friends engine as a starting point (its a 67 2bbl out of a Fairlane, his truck is a 69) and put the correct casting number heads on it with big valves, roller rockers...... that usual stuff. Sounds like fun to me.
from the "OFFICIAL" FAST RULES WEBSITE Note: Any Block, Head, Intake or Exhaust manifold that is not the correct* casting number, must be approved by the F.A.S.T. rules committee before a race. YOU WILL HAVE TO PETITION the rules makers for a non correct casting number. didnt work out so well for jim haas when his marker lights were incorrect for the year claimed-after the rules makers said that would be ok. im sure someone could connect you to the link over that controversy.
You need to read the FAST rules and the tech proceedure together to figure out the block, and we are working on this to make it easier to understand. Here is the scoop: You need to run the correct heads. That is, the castings that were available from the factory, in an actual car, for the make, year, model, and horsepower claimed. We do not check date codes, but we do check casting numbers. The block needs to be an original oem or oem replacement block that is the correct material, appearance,and design. No aftermarket, or raised cam or big bore blocks. So you can run a 302 block in a 289 car, as long as it looks the same. But not a 351 block because it is taller. Likewise, a chevy 283 small block car can run a 350 or 400 block, a ford 390 car can run a 428 block a 383 mopar can run a 400 block, etc. I hope this helps, Joel
Thanks Joel, so identical casting codes to the original 65 heads but I can runn a later (like 88 even) 302 block would be fine? This is getting me very interested, if not to be competative, just for a fun unexpected car. Thanks,
thank you joel a few years back when i raised the murky ford fe engine questions no one knew what to say except it was gonna have to be the correct block. good to see things have relaxed a bit-a 428 block to replace a 390 is the same as a 4 bolt 454 being used for a 427 chevelle or camaro clone-mostly. good to see you guys are loosening that up some and thanks for replying here to these questions. :3gears:
ctxslpr-no 4 doors or wagons i do believe the fast rules say 2 door cars only :rant: i also had a 67 fairlane 390 factory stick shift wagon (3 on the tree!!) that was a nice socal car i couldve had for cheap. there are some slick ones already runnning nsca and nmca-but-fast rules say no wagons. o No:
The rules online don't say anything about body style... Joel or Greg? Someone please clear this up for us? Also does the "The rear axle must be of the same manufacturer as the car. Driveshaft safety loop required" rule mean I can run a 9" in the car even though I'm not sure it ever came with one? Thanks,
OK got em'............. So could I run a 455" block under my correct heads,manifolds,and intake in a 67' GS ? It is an oem block, correct material, appearance, design, not aftermarket, or raised cam. But the bore is bigger. I have thought about building one knowing the odds of competing at an event are very slim. None the less I thought about trying it, to see what I could get outa the car. Not a priority but I am very interested in your reply. Thanks...........
Dave, I think thats what he is saying, big bore means like a Dart Little M with bigger than 400SBC bores. Isn't the 67 exhauste manifold the best Buick ever made? I'd like to see a 67 Riv with the big port 430 and good manifolds run this but it would have to make extreme horse power to get it to move.
just wanted to make you drool ..... I wasn't trying to sell my little red Comet, not since it took me about 10 years to find a nice one. I found mine at an estate auction about 7 years ago. I really like the lines of the 65 and had to have one, even though I'm more interested in GM cars, 61 Catalina and 62 Bel Air hardtop in particular. That doesn't keep me from coveting a 57 Ford Custom 300 post car though. About the rearend rule, it wouldn't matter on 65 Comet because they could have come with either a 8" or 9" direct from the factory. Any later 302 block will work as long as you use a 65 or later bolt pattern trans or bellhousing. On the 455 Buick block deal, as long as it's the same deck height and your earlier heads and intake bolt on with no modifications, I think you're good to go !
I guess I'm going to join the discussion here on Oldsmobiles. If I read you right, Joel, I can run a 455 Olds block under the correct heads and intake in a car that only came with a small bore 400? Like a 68-69 442? How about a 67 400 in a 68/69 body? They're both 400's, but the good one (65-67) has a 4.00 bore and 4.00 stroke, and the other (68-69) has a 3.87 bore and a 4.25 stroke. They do have different casting codes. One's a G, other is an E. 455 is an F. All are identical in appearance and dimension except the casting letter. I think a 350 Chev has a dfferent casting code than a 283 doesn't it? Doesn't that also apply to the 383/400 Mopar and 390/428 Ford? This doesn't sound right.... o No: o No: o No:
I'm no expert,but I'm pretty sure the block casting numbers dont get checked.The block I'm using is NOT from 1969. If the block is a factory issue and has the identical appearance,it should fly.I'm sure one of the four who know, will chime in here soon.Good luck!
mudding the waters My .02 on the Olds front. I've been talking about doing an Olds FAST car when I hit the lottery. I've been talking with Chris Smetana and the way we read the rules you can run the motor that was correct for your car. So if you want to run a 455 block then you need to have a 68/69 H/O or clone of one. Now you can stroke :3gears: the 400 with a custom crank and pistons and run a 442. I think the word correct gives a lot of leeway in the FAST world. It sures makes for lively discussion. :beer Matt
If the 400 block looks identical to the 455 block,It should be legal.If the casting numbers are not a tech issue,then who would be able to tell??
