Top End July 7, 2018 – Jim Doyle pic!

Posted July 25, 2018:

On July 7th 2018, we damaged the 350 in the ’57. We cracked two combustion chambers in our old Dart Sportsman fully ported cast-iron heads and destroyed two piston skirts. Running a dial indicator up and down the bores show a .0015″ deflection and the deck has warped in only 30 runs. The old -010 block just won’t take the higher horsepower we were making. We’re done with stock blocks at our horsepower levels! We’ve had great luck with the Dart Little-M in the Chevelle.

So for 2019 we are working with Dale Green of DG Machine to build a new 3.48″ stroke small-block using the Brodix STS T1 215 CNC ported aluminum heads with 64 cc combustion chambers and 2.080″ intake, 1.600″ exhaust valves. To accommodate the wider chambers based on a 400 SBC bore, we’ll be using a 4.125 based bore Dart Little-M block so we don’t shroud the valves with the conventional 350 4.00″ bore. We plan on using GRP billet aluminum rods and a Jesel shaft rocker system to match with the 60/40 valve spacing on the new heads along with Isky roller lifters.

We’re looking at somewhere near 750 hp and a torque increase of approximately 40 ft. lbs from our current 350 with the improved airflow numbers, so we’ll need to be careful with the clutch and launch RPM to be kind to our old Doug-Nash 5-speed. IF we build this motor we’ll need to also  update the old drum front brakes to Wilwood discs to handle the higher MPH we’re expecting. 

We’ll provide far more details as the build progresses. We are only in the research stage at this time! – Roger

Dale Green – DG Machine

August 23, 2018:

After speaking with Dale Green on specifics, Pam and I are moving forward on the new build which will feature Wiseco custom pistons with heavy-duty pins, .043/.043/3mm ring pack, GRP aluminum rods, a Dart Little-M block, Scat crank, etc for 2019. We’ll also be purchasing new Brodix 215 CNC-ported heads for the new engine from DG Machine and will be using Jesel shaft rockers.

Bore: 4.125 (400 bore)

Stroke: 3.48 (350 stroke, 350 mains)

Compression ratio: 13.68:1

Heads: Brodix Track 1, CNC 215’s

Cam: Lunati #50128 roller RRA-288-294
Intake: .690″ lift – 288 deg. @ .050″ with 1.5 rockers
Exhaust: .660″ lift – 294 deg @ .050″ with 1.5 rockers – Roger

September 7, 2018:

Dale Green now has the new block and crank, waiting on custom Wiseco pistons and GRP aluminum rods to begin machine work.

October 5, 2018:

The new rods and pistons have arrived and DG Machine is starting to machine the new Dart block. Below are a few pictures of the GRP rods and Wiseco gas ported pistons with the .043/.043/3mm ring package and I’ve ordered the Jesel shaft rockers for the new heads:

GRP Aluminum rods in our 372

Wiseco custom gas-ported & ArmorFit coated piston skirts for our 372

November 2, 2018:

DG Machine is beginning to file-fit the rings for the final assembly of the short-block.

November 8, 2018:

Dale Green called tonight, short block and heads are done, he just needs to get the proper Cometic head gaskets and a few odds & ends and we can pick it all up! My thanks to Dale & Lane for all their hard work on this project! – Roger

November 19, 2018:

Dale Green called today, all the extra parts we ordered thru DG Machine are now in and ready for pickup after Thanksgiving! Dale calculated the finished compression ratio at 13.68:1, right on the botton! – Roger

November 23, 2018:

Chris and I picked up the assembled short-block, new Brodix heads, Isky Red-Zone rollers, etc. from DG Machine this morning and we’re delighted with the clearances in the new motor. I’ve added pictures to our photo gallery below. My thanks to Dale Green & Lane Cavar for all their work on this project! – Roger

Piston to wall clearance (coated skirts): .0040″

Main bearing clearance: .0028″

Rod bearing clearance: .0030″

Rod side clearance: .020″

Crankshaft thrust clearance: .005″

Camshaft thrust clearance: .006″

Deck clearance: .011″

Quench with .040″ Cometic head gaskets: .051″

Lifter body clearance: .0025″

November 24, 2018:

Today Chris and I set the valve timing, used modeling clay to check for valve-to-piston-clearance and dome-to-combustion chamber clearance after mocking up the Jesel shaft rockers and determining what pushrod length we need for the new motor. We also checked the intake match porting to the new heads and they are on the money which makes life easier! And we checked the valve spring installed height on the new heads and both closed and open spring pressures which are looking good!

November 26, 2018:

Today we got the old oil pan on the new block. Chris had to use his bench sander to remove a slight amount of material from the pan rail sides of the three center main caps – like we’ve had to do in the past – to clear the integral scraper inside the Moroso kick-out pan. Of course we did NOT remove any material in the saddle area! We installed the Isky Red-Zone Maximum Endurance lifters and primed the oiling system making sure we have oil to the pushrods before we install the heads!

November 27, 2018:

Today we got the new Brodix heads with Cometic head gaskets on the motor and installed the Jesel stands for their shaft rockers. We also leaked down the new engine and are pleased with the results. Now, just waiting on new Smith Bros. 7.750″ pushrods as this build is nearing completion!

December 2, 2018:

Smith Bros. .116 wall pushrods arrived, and the Jesel shaft rockers are now fully installed with all the recommended lube. Next we’ll fully prime the oiling system with the rockers on before installing the intake manifold. Good progress on the new 372 for our ’57!

New Jesel shaft rockers .0125″ offset on both intake & exhaust

December 3, 2018:

Chris came over this afternoon and he primed the oiling system while I manually cranked the motor over and we have oiling at the Jesel rocker arms, so next is installing the intake manifold and this build will be complete! We’re looking forward to the 2019 season!

December 5, 2018:

Today I installed the intake manifold, distributor & valve covers. All that is left is indexing a set of plugs, installing the front motor plate and header plates and it is ready to go back in the ’57 !!

December 18, 2018:

I got the header plates modified today for the new exhaust ports and installed and indexed the new sparkplugs! So, this new bullet is ready to go back in the ’57 in the new year!

Again, my thanks to Dale Green, Lane Austin Cavar for all their work on the shortblock and to Chris Young for helping me assemble the rest of the new motor! And to Pam Young for all her love, support and remarking the old harmonic balancer so I can read it with her steady hand!

Before the car goes to the track, we’ll be updating to Wilwood front disc brakes thanks to Chris so we can get the old buggy stopped! We’ll have more on that upgrade when we begin the installation. – Roger

February 21, 2019: 

We’ve been waiting for the weather to cooperate to get the new motor in the ’57. Unseasonable low temps, rain & snow have delayed getting the car put back together. – Roger

March 2, 2019:

Today Chris got the engine compartment painted after the mess we had from the cracked head. As soon as the weather warms we can install the new bullet! – Roger

March 16, 17, 2019:

On Saturday, Chris, Paul and myself got the new engine in the car along with the clutch and transmission, radiator, etc. Pam kept us well fed and kept the coffee coming!!

Sunday morning we got the headers installed on the car, primed the oil system and fired the new motor off. We set the ignition timing, had excellent oil pressure and it was oiling well on the top-end and ran it through the gears. I’ll recheck the valve lash prior to our first outing. My sincere thanks to the family for all their hard work and support getting the old buggy back together! It was great hearing it come to life again! – Roger 

March 30, 2019:

First runs & video on the new engine

372 Build & Balance Documents

Completed 372 for our ’57

Click on any picture to begin viewing the photo gallery below:

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December 29, 2018:

Chris has purchased the new Wilwood front disc brake kit, lines & fittings for the ’57 so we can get the buggy stopped in 2019! Thanks son for this major investment in the old car! – Roger

Wilwood Front Disc Brake Installation Instructions for ’55-’57 Chev

2018 – Robert Fedyk photo!

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