Paul’s Mustang updated April 13, 2019
New Engine for the ’57 updated on December 18, 2018
[Now completed!]
Front disc brakes next! [Completed January 26, 2019]
Next is installing new 372 bullet in the ’57! [Completed!]
New Engine for Torri’s Pontiac updated on December 16, 2018
[Now completed!]
We’ll be discussing our plans and progress here as we prepare for the 2019 racing season! Please feel free to comment or ask questions! – Roger
Chris’ ’71 Chevelle:
I’m not sure perhaps try the 4.86 rear gears and I’d like to put Hedman 1-7/8 headers on it but not sure…. The car was working well at the end of the 2018 season with the AFCO front suspension! – Chris
March 4, 2019:
Chris has decided to replace his older stud-mounted rocker arms with Jesel shaft rockers to correct the alignment problem with his Brodix heads with the 60/40 valve spread. This is the same kit we installed on the new 372 for the ’57 this winter which feature a .125″ offset on both intake & exhaust valves.
Roger’s ’57 Chev:
New 372 cubic-inch small-block is fully assembled, see full details here!
Machine work & short-block assembly by DG Machine
New Wilwood Front Disc Brakes for the ’57 – Installed 1/26/2019
Torri’s ’66 Tempest:
Chris is working on a larger motor for the Pontiac which will be a 436 with a 4.165″ bore × 4.000″ stroke with a set of Kauffman 310 CNC aluminum heads and feature a hydraulic roller – a step up from the old flat-tappet Ram Air IV cam currently in the 400. We are going to do Wilwood disc brakes also and a roll bar. I’m not sure the Pontiac will run with new combo in 2019. It all depends on time and money. It would be late season at the very least. I want to do it right so I don’t have to redo it down the road. – Chris
November 3, 2018:
We checked vital clearances today, next is file-fitting the rings:
Main bearing clearance: .0027″
Rod bearing clearance: .0030″
Piston clearance: .0070″
November 16, 2018:
Chris now has the Scat crank in the block, he’s file-fitted the rings and is installing the Scat piston/rods in the block.
Rod side clearance: .026″
Crankshaft thrust: .006″
Piston to deck clearance: .0165″
Quench with .040″ head gasket: .0565″
November 20, 2018:
The new Kauffman heads & Comp Cams hydraulic roller arrived today, pictures added below!
December 1, 2018:
Today we got the new hydraulic roller cam installed and set the cam timing with the multi-keyway crank gear on the new timing chain set (2-degrees retarded at 111-degrees), clayed in the valves with the new Kauffman heads – we didn’t even touch the clay in the valve reliefs – and checked the rocker geometry and pushrod length which is spot on with the 11/32 lashcaps. Camshaft thrust clearance is perfect at .005″
Chris also got the Kauffman heads on the engine with Cometic head gaskets, oil pan, timing cover, valley pan and new SFI dampner installed today.
We’re making good progress!
December 16, 2018:
Chris got the valve train installed on the 436 and primed the oil system. Good oil pressure and oiling on the top end! He also installed the intake manifold and wrapped up the 436 project!
Machine work by DG Machine
Paul’s ’85 Mustang:
If the current issues are nothing major then the plan for the Mustang is to upgrade the cooling system by installing a Meziere electric water pump with the serpentine idler and installing the fuel filter. – Paul
Update September 30, 2018:
We believe we have the ignition problem solved in the Mustang. He has a rather unique MSD distributor with a magnetic pickup that then goes to a circuit board under the breaker plate. After running the car a few minutes, the points-open signal started shifting around excessively on my old ignition scope, and when it shifts 20-degrees so does the timing!
We checked the ohms of the MSD pickup which was within normal range and decided the problem was with the circuit board which is actually an electronic module in this model. We bypassed the circuit board and wired the pickup directly to the magnetic input to the MSD-6AL box where the old circuit board triggered the points input. The problem appears to be solved! And we see no replacement circuit board for this “ready-to-run” distributor which is made for the early points ignition without the need of a MSD box! Without the old scope, this problem would have been very difficult to find!
Roger’s Heathkit Ignition Scope
Chris also got the new fuel filter installed prior to the fuel pressure regulator which should resolve any future issues of particles in the old fuel tank messing up the regulator or carb. Now all that is required prior to 2019 is installing a new Meziere water pump. – Roger
Paul took his Mustang out to the West Coast Grudge race at Pacific Raceways on October 13th and the car ran very well, setting a new 1/8th mile ET record for the Mustang. We’re pleased the ignition problem is resolved! – Roger
Update January 19, 2019:
Today Chris & Paul got the new Meziere electric water pump with the serpentine idler installed on the Mustang! A tight fit but went in!
Tight fit!
Will improve between rounds cooling!
Update April 13, 2019:
Today we got the new power steering pump on the Mustang, a new neutral safety switch installed on the shifter, and a new battery installed to replace the old battery which failed a load test. Paul should be ready to go for 2019!
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