74 LeMans stocker "Buford"

[brent flynn]

Some may disagree, but, this is what the spirit of Stock, and the sport, is all about... I have a '72 Lemans Wagon, that would fit this bill... i drive it everyday, but, it has a little rust on it... dont know how NHRA tech would feel about that Its a neat old car... I could run 250 hp 455, or 200hp 400... i just need a set of 7k3's, i think, for the 455... I happen to have a good TRW version, of both engines, sitting around Car already has 3.90 gears, Eaton posi, and Moser axles in it( rear would probably grenade itself, unless i go with 400 cubes, and 4.56-4.88s).. 10'' continental 3200ish converter...i have headers...Oh crap, this is gettin interesting! I even have a cam, its a Bullet, .405 with probably a bit too much duration, but it would work Should i , or shouldnt I? hehehe

[Don Himes]

Yo Brent, you must be a yougster if you don't remember my old K/SA, 1972 LeMans wagon with the Sport (GTO) nose on it. Even had junior stock stripes on the roof! 250/455 combo. Would have loved to have tried the H.O. set up for I/SA.

[brent flynn]

Originally Posted by Don Himes

Yo Brent, you must be a yougster if you don't remember my old K/SA, 1972 LeMans wagon with the Sport (GTO) nose on it. Even had junior stock stripes on the roof! 250/455 combo. Would have loved to have tried the H.O. set up for I/SA.

You have a pic? Im 44... i guess, in NHRA Stock, that makes me young
Im building my 68 Bird into an E or F car... but, would love to do a 'dime rocket".... I have most everything i'd need...except for some 7k3's... I have correct intake, a fairly decent shortblock(went 11.50s with stock heads, in my bird), 3.90 gears(to start), and decent converters...but the 10bolt is the weak link... Why cant we run a 400(with 4bbl)? I think it was rated at 250hp, as well...correct? I know the 455 is a no brainer...i just need a 12 bolt...or a good 8.5 10bolt... I wonder how good a 400/200 2bbl would run? I have everything but a correct intake...shouldnt be hard to find...

Very cool project Wayne, Billy speaks very highly of you and your work. Hope to meet you one of these days. If you need anything feel free to ask.

Brent, the reason no one runs the 400 in the 72 lemans is because it is rated 5 hp higher than the 455. The 55 is the much better combo. You could run the index with a bone stock shortblock.

Originally Posted by brent flynn

You have a pic? Im 44... i guess, in NHRA Stock, that makes me young
Im building my 68 Bird into an E or F car... but, would love to do a 'dime rocket".... I have most everything i'd need...except for some 7k3's... I have correct intake, a fairly decent shortblock(went 11.50s with stock heads, in my bird), 3.90 gears(to start), and decent converters...but the 10bolt is the weak link... Why cant we run a 400(with 4bbl)? I think it was rated at 250hp, as well...correct? I know the 455 is a no brainer...i just need a 12 bolt...or a good 8.5 10bolt... I wonder how good a 400/200 2bbl would run? I have everything but a correct intake...shouldnt be hard to find...

[cicero819]

Don do you still have your great wagon, I took so many pictures of it at the Groves. My question is , did they come with the hood scoop and side vents as a wagon? It would make a wicked race car. I'm sure you had no traction problems. Claude Ruel

[brent flynn]

Originally Posted by Todd Hoven

Very cool project Wayne, Billy speaks very highly of you and your work. Hope to meet you one of these days. If you need anything feel free to ask.

Brent, the reason no one runs the 400 in the 72 lemans is because it is rated 5 hp higher than the 455. The 55 is the much better combo. You could run the index with a bone stock shortblock.

No doubt... i think i could shatter it, by atleast .3-.4, with no trouble... i think legal weight, is 4075... The '62 weighs only 50lbs less than that, and runs 12teens, with nothing...only real difference, would be about point and half, of compression...ITs something i may have to throw together, in the next couple years... biggest issue is rear axle... IT would be fun, and hook on gravel!

[Logus]

IT would be fun, and hook on gravel!

You said FUN and Hook.

[brent flynn]

Originally Posted by Logus

You said FUN and Hook.

That's what im sayin! Heck, i already won a trophy with it, It was born to race...hehe

[Wayne Skelly]

Sorry for disappearing on everyone. Been working a lot of overtime at my regular job and the garage has been crazy at night. With only the Lee Sherman left this season and since the engine is already out I am going to blueprint the shortblock over the winter and come out swinging in the spring. Good news is the rear is done and back in the car, the trans is fresh and ready to go and the carb is redone.....so I have a great headstart. I will keep everyone posted as I make progress .

[Mark Yacavone]

Danny Ashley,,,7-10-11
Can you spare a dime..thread

Originally Posted by Danny Ashley

Back in the late 80's when I had my 1974 GTO I considered the 2-bbl. because that body was a one engine combination for a 4-bbl. I obtained a manifold and carburetor and knowing that the late W.A.Lee worked on 2-bbl's, I sent it to him. He called me up and said they had tried it already and that the carb was too small and it would slow the car one and a half seconds. I had looked at Allen Peters at the time and made my decision off him but W.A. informed me that the '69 Chevy had a much larger venturi. He didn't want to do it because he felt I was wasting my time and sent it back. I really didn't think it would kill it that much so I decided to try it anyway.
It was in the fall and we had decent air but nothing like I had just ran at the Keystones where I was no.1 qualifier and ran 11.97 in L/SA which was really quick for that time. The car at that time with the 2 bbl. was P/SA and the index was an odd number for some reason of 13.54. My first pass was 13.53 followed by a 13.52. The car had no power. I had to almost floor it to do a burnout. I came back and installed the 4-bbl. set-up which is quick to do on a Pontiac and went right back up and went 12.22. I'll admit that the car could go quicker with maybe more gear, smaller headers, cam change, etc. but it didn't look worth the time and money to flogg it out especially when the 4bbl. was so good.
One last thought. Please don't base the 2bbl. combination off of Bill Rink's car. Bill is a good friend and carburetor customer and I can tell you that his engine is a "Top Shelf" Parson & Meyers piece as is everything else on the car. Definitely not a "Dime Rocket". Just a "Rocket" in it's day.