SS/GT Engine Choice

[Alan Roehrich]

I'd build the 402, at maximum bore size. With modern rings, good oil, etc, you'll get hundreds of passes on it.


If you have not purchased connecting rods and pistons, or ground the crank, I'd go with small block small journal and small block wrist pins, and a 1.0 MM/1.0MM/3.0MM ring package.


I think that I have a nice, conservative, stock core (billet) camshaft for it, that Billy and Tim did for me.



A certain wise and learned friend and I were discussing this on Thursday. For GT in particular.

[Adger Smith]

Alan,
This will be a shop clean out combination.
I have blocks, heads cams and a lot of parts needed just laying around the shop.
Yes, I will have to buy pistons, but not going the exotic expensive route.
Thanks for the info.

OH, Dwight Southerland... You ask me to keep silent on that combination.
My tight Arse is still gathering parts for it.
Yes, I have a set of the 401's and a set of iron 990's that Self worked.
So the 425/435 combo and the 425/424 combo are possible.
Might be safe with the 454 just in case one combo gets treated badly byAHFS.

Thanks
Adger

[Dwight Southerland]

Ah, yes! I remember now!

Depending on the flow characteristics comparison of your 401s and 990s, the 454-425/424 may be a better choice. In my recommendation, I was assuming you only had the 401s available and did not want to spend the money on another set of heads.

[Adger Smith]

Dwight,
The 990's were done by Kevin Self quite a few years ago.
The 401's were done by Tilburg
Guess I need to spend some time on my flow bench....
I was digging around the shop yesterday and found a 3.625 Bryant crank.
I might even consider a 390 cu in BBC for SS/AS
I would have fewer body modifications to the car. (former SS/DM) Going to have to do a lot to get to the Legal SS/GT body.
Donna says I have too many choices.
I'm in "Analysis Paralysis"
Thanks for the input.

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Adger Smith

Dwight,
The 990's were done by Kevin Self quite a few years ago.
The 401's were done by Tilburg
Guess I need to spend some time on my flow bench....
I was digging around the shop yesterday and found a 3.625 Bryant crank.
I might even consider a 390 cu in BBC for SS/AS
I would have fewer body modifications to the car. (former SS/DM) Going to have to do a lot to get to the Legal SS/GT body.
Donna says I have too many choices.
I'm in "Analysis Paralysis"
Thanks for the input.

Sounds like you need to choose a combination, and hold a garage sale to raise money!


The modified route might be the most affordable, if the car requires rework that costs substantial money to get to legal status for GT. Considering how rare a heads up would be, it wouldn't have to be state of the art.


The 402 combination would probably be the most competitive, we've done a fair amount of studying and research. But it might be more expensive than the modified route, and more likely to face heads up races.

[SpeierRacing]

Adger, I just finished up an Edelbrock master.

It's pretty good, compared! Just sayin!

[Adger Smith]

Alan,
Yes, You are spot on about making a decision.
This project and retirement has me finding parts and combinations of things in my shop that I didn't remember having. I have been in this building for for 38 years and in 2 other buildings for 16 years.
I guess I've had my head down and Arse up working so much I just forgot so much.
There is a large selection of "Collectables"
There will be a garage sale!
Thanks for all the input.
I'm down to a SBC combination for SS/E or F modified or a big block or Small block combination for SS/AS.
What has sent me in that direction is "Finds" at the shop and my age and health.
One persons experience at Indy made me start thinking about my handicaps and how a teardown would be nearly impossible.
For me the best would be just Pump and Go.
To All,
Thanks for the phone calls, posts and all the kind words of encouragement.
Adger Smith