Originally Posted by Robert Swartz
Tod,
Old friend, yiou give me too much credit. It's been 30 years since I've messed with one of these. I don't remember cam specs, but also would need to determine year. The 71's would be the ideal choice, less smog controls and probably a tad more compression. These little motors, I believe were only in 8.0:1 range. I threw away all my information on these cars long ago.
These little engines could take a heap of abuse. The drive line was the weak link. I got pretty good at tearing that spindly little transmission out. Back in those days, the largest rear gear I recall, was a 4:30. The Meeks acquired a 4:88 gear set from a Jeep, that we adapted, that helped the stocker tremendously. We never could find another.
We bandied this on an earlier thread. One of these cars today would present an interesting opportunity. With the rules as there are now, allowing you to run a better OEM or and aftermarket transmission, that takes care of one breakage area. The other being the rear end, an 8.8 or better yet, a 9 inch, add a 35 spline spool and axles. Your drivetrain is bulletproof. No matter how much HP you make, you virtually couldn't hurt this stuff. If you broke anything, it'd be because you wore it out!
As far as the car is concerned, a good front end rebuild, with good aftermarket shocks, you could tie the subframes. Some Cal-tracs and split mono-leafs to go with that 9" rear. With the RPM's one could launch this thing, it would be an interesting ride.
Both finding a car and to me, more troubling, how available are the engines and parts? I think Toby Meek still has his old stocker in his mothers barn. The last time I saw it was probably in 1977 before his middle brother bought it off them and took it to Michigan and made a street car back out of it. I do know he got it back sometime in the mid 80's, what was done to it or what kind of shape it's in, I haven't a clue.
If I were blessed with a ton of cash, I'd seek out one of these cars and take a stab at this. I'll bet for a 4 cylinder car, one of these today, would be scarey fast. I'd be interested to hear Mark Yacavone's take on this combination. I'm just speculating.
Robert Swartz
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