Hitch

I pulled the motor back in September with hopes of having it back in by the Charlotte Good Guy's show that occurred at the end of October. Well to say I missed that goal is an understatement. Then with the holidays it slowed the project down a little more.

I had the motor out to cure a problem with the cam walking forward (roller cam) because the timing cover I had originally installed I dimpled to allow clearance for the cam button. This was six or so years ago when roller cams were new and cam button options were limited.

Fast forward to this year and now after three different cam buttons and two timing chain covers I have the end play set to .007. While I had the motor out I milled the heads .024 to reduce the combustion chamber from 68cc to 64cc and reduced the head gasket from .041 to .026. This should effectively increase my compression ratio from 9.9 to 10.5:1.

We had the oil pan off so we replaced the rear main seal, main bearings, rod bearings and oil pump just while were at it. Since I had my TKO 3550 sitting in the corner I thought I'd put it back in because besides the cam getting the 5 speed back in was high on the list.

I have always had a dreaded high speed vibration since I installed the Tremec. Well while I had the motor out I used a spare block to check the engine/tranny alignment. The alignment was off so out came the cutting wheel and I wacked off both frame mounts and aligned the engine in the car correctly with the help of my good friend Craig taking care of MIG welding the mounts back on.

So now all that I am lacking is to get the new Sweet Thunder GNM side pipes hooked up..

A big thanks to Mike, Bill, Craig, Eric and Tommy for each of you for as always being great friends. Without your help I would not have been able to complete this project.

A few pics of the progress and a video at the end with the car running with open headers...

Tom Austin

Nice job Hitch . . . your car sounds great! I just love white '66 roadsters with sidepipes!

Tom

Kerrmudgeon

Nice bark in that dog! Vroom vroom...

Hitch

Thanks guys... Now if I can just get it to the exhaust shop tomorrow I will be ready to go cruising...

Bluestripe67

Oh yeh! Lookin' and soundin' good Dave. Hope to check it out in person later this year on my road trip. Dennis

MAD IN NC

jeeez Hitch..... bout time!

Sounds good! and here we go - another year and new ideas... hmmmmm

Hitch

Wow after a long day at the exhaust shop I have the pipes hooked up RJ's Exhaust in Raleigh did a great job. Ron is the only guy in Raleigh that has a mandrel bender and there was no way I was doing anything but mandrel bends. He took his time and charged a fair priced for his work. The car has a nice deep sound to it where before with the SS 2.5" pipes it was more harsh. I'll post a video this evening if time allows.

Next step is to take it all back apart and send it to Jet Hot in Burlington, NC for coating...

6T5RUSH

Hitch,

I LIKE it! You're gonna' love those GNM's. They'll free up some horsepower. Glad to hear you've fixed your vibration. I know you've been "living with it".



Jim
In God We Trust!

Hitch

Jim, thanks yeah I already like the GNM pipes over the Allen's SS pipes that I have. The SS pipes have always sounded off. The GNM have a nice deeper rumble. I have not done a road test yet but will soon. Hope to see you at one of the Pure Stock events one of these days.

David

Mike Smith

Can't wait to hear the new exhaust, Dave!

bigearl56

Dave, As always your work is through and concise. Wish I could work like that. Is that an exhaust bung I see? Is their a fuel injection system in the future?

Earl

Jeff Garner

Nice Dave. Can't wait to hear it.

5thvet

Nice job Dave. Post another video!!!!

jeff batchelor

Make sure you post a video when you are wringing it out.

Jeff

Hitch

As soon as you show up at my door step I will do it....

Westlotorn

Looking great. Like those heads.

Hitch

Earl, you know with me anything is possible but in reality I purchased a FAST dual band fuel/air meter with data logging so the bungs are for that.


AFR heads are pricey but they definitely move some air... BTW no leaks so far from the MLS gaskets we talked about. Then again I have not yet got the motor good and hot though..

David

1coolC2

Hitch,

Looking and sounding great. Look forward to hearing it in person. Will give ya a shout this weekend....See ya soon

R/
Jeff

claysmoker

How far off were the engine mounts?

Hitch

Jeff, look forward to you coming by...

Dave they were off almost an 1/8th...

Now everything appears lined up... so maybe.. just maybe my high speed vibration will be gone...