Help with a unusual barn find
08-19-2017, 09:09 AM
#621
Melting Slicks
Decision time, while I'm trying to keep the car original (as it was raced)
The builder has a great point. It will be very tough to start, and will not want to be driven at low rpm as the magneto will want rpms to generate spark. A new msd box and distributor will fix all that BUT it's not original. I want to be able to move the car and drive it on show/cruse grounds....
If I do go the msd route I will keep the magneto and it can be put back on.
I'm asking for thoughts on this.
Thank you!
The builder has a great point. It will be very tough to start, and will not want to be driven at low rpm as the magneto will want rpms to generate spark. A new msd box and distributor will fix all that BUT it's not original. I want to be able to move the car and drive it on show/cruse grounds....
If I do go the msd route I will keep the magneto and it can be put back on.
I'm asking for thoughts on this.
Thank you!
He's been building those mags for over 30 years.
08-19-2017, 10:53 AM
#622
Dr. Detroit
Member Since: Mar 2012
Location: New Braunfels Texas
Posts: 9,963
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My good friendhas a Vertex mag copy that is actually a HEI distributor.....Vertex makes these.....it looks exactly like your mag....it is for sale if interested.....it is in like new condition....we went MSD on his 32 Ford because of the blower.....it functions perfect.....I think is close enough to original to fool the eye.....
Looks like this:
https://m.summitracing.com/parts/tay-540000
Jebby
Looks like this:
https://m.summitracing.com/parts/tay-540000
Jebby
08-19-2017, 03:11 PM
#623
I am sorry I don't have any pictures of the ZL-1 installed. These were taken when the rolling chassis arrived at Steve's house in the early spring of '69. That is me on the left and my brother on the right...the blues brothers. Steve is a paraplegic and the car was set up for him to drive. Probably was not a good idea with 800 hp and such a short wheelbase car...and why it was quickly sold.
I am not trying to hijack this really cool thread...just maybe adding some food for thought. Could be a six degrees of separation type of thing...ya never know.
Last edited by Faster Rat; 08-19-2017 at 04:50 PM.
08-21-2017, 09:15 AM
#625
Le Mans Master
Although some of today's electronic ignitions are superior to an old school magneto, I can understand your desire to keep the car "period correct". I was involved with an oval track car, back in the 80s, and we ran with a magneto, on a small block Chevy engine. The car, naturally, wasn't at high RPM all the time, such as driving in the pits, etc, and we didn't have any real issues.
Maybe you might want to have your "mag" looked over, before using it.
Maybe you might want to have your "mag" looked over, before using it.
Most piston aircraft engines use magnetos and they have no problem starting or running low rpm.
08-21-2017, 06:38 PM
#626
Dr. Detroit
Member Since: Mar 2012
Location: New Braunfels Texas
Posts: 9,963
Received 3,892 Likes
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Here are the pics of the Vertex HEI pseudo mag........you would be hard pressed to tell the difference.....
Jebby
Jebby
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Pvirg (08-23-2017)
08-23-2017, 07:48 AM
#627
Racer
Thread Starter
I am beginning to wonder if Doyle bought that ZL-1 engine from my buddies Steve Johansen and Tom Sutton. They purchased one (Tom called it an aluminum L88...never heard it called a ZL-1 back then) from Jay Kline Chevrolet in Minneapolis in the spring of 1969. Tom was a graduate of Dunwoody Technical Institute and an avid hot rodder. They stuffed the engine into a '48 Anglia and put on Hillborn injection with the tall stacks. I remember Tom telling me that he put in a Crower roller cam, modified the ports and I remember seeing those same gold anodized rocker arms when the valve covers were removed. I only watched the car run in A/Gas one time at Minnesota Dragways before going on active duty. It did a monster wheelie and came down in the other lane. Subsequent runs broke the rear end and spun the mains. I understand the car was sold later that fall and never heard what happened to it. There could not have been that many ZL-1 crate engines sold over the counter and the timing would be just right for Doyle to come across a slightly used one for his '70 Corvette, the 4-Star General. He could have painted the block orange to keep other hot rodders from seeing his very special aluminum block rat motor.
I am sorry I don't have any pictures of the ZL-1 installed. These were taken when the rolling chassis arrived at Steve's house in the early spring of '69. That is me on the left and my brother on the right...the blues brothers. Steve is a paraplegic and the car was set up for him to drive. Probably was not a good idea with 800 hp and such a short wheelbase car...and why it was quickly sold.
I am not trying to hijack this really cool thread...just maybe adding some food for thought. Could be a six degrees of separation type of thing...ya never know.
I am sorry I don't have any pictures of the ZL-1 installed. These were taken when the rolling chassis arrived at Steve's house in the early spring of '69. That is me on the left and my brother on the right...the blues brothers. Steve is a paraplegic and the car was set up for him to drive. Probably was not a good idea with 800 hp and such a short wheelbase car...and why it was quickly sold.
I am not trying to hijack this really cool thread...just maybe adding some food for thought. Could be a six degrees of separation type of thing...ya never know.
08-23-2017, 08:44 AM
#628
Great and informative thread.
OP best of luck getting it all together. What a thrill.
OP best of luck getting it all together. What a thrill.
08-24-2017, 08:03 PM
#629
Le Mans Master
You might look at having the mag rebuilt. They can "recharge" the magnets in them. (At least they used to be able to). It's possible after setting in one spot for a long time they lost some of the original magnetism. In the Ford Model T manual, they give you a process for charging the magneto in the event it gets weak.
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Pvirg (08-24-2017)
11-14-2017, 06:44 PM
#631
Racer
Thread Starter
Not to whip a dead horse
Sorry it’s been a while but we are getting close to making noise! Builder doesn’t know how to use the Hydraulic linkage set up so he is using the standard tunnel ram linkage. Thought I would send a pic for those still interested.
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Pegan2261 (08-31-2022)
11-14-2017, 06:54 PM
#632
Team Owner
11-14-2017, 09:24 PM
#633
Drifting
Always good seeing progress. Look forward to seeing it together.
The corvette collection that was shown on Fast N Loud is the previous owner of my 70. By that I mean the guy that collected all the cars and parts since 1963.
The corvette collection that was shown on Fast N Loud is the previous owner of my 70. By that I mean the guy that collected all the cars and parts since 1963.
11-15-2017, 04:22 PM
#637
Burning Brakes
11-15-2017, 04:38 PM
#638
Racer
Thread Starter
Should I be a little concerned with the fix all tool on top of the carbs?
11-15-2017, 05:00 PM
#639
11-15-2017, 05:45 PM
#640
Race Director
bfh fine alignment tool.