The Blown Nailhead is alive!

[38Chevy454]

Well, last night I kept the neighbors up for a while. SamIyam and Tim (BFD Crew) came over and we fired up the blown nailhead. Recall this is the Riviera I bought that had a damaged engine, so I have never heard it running. I spent approx $1000 to totally go through the heads and rework them. The shortblock looked good and did not require anything. The engine was put back in the car about 2 weeks ago, and now that all the little stuff is hooked up, time to fire it up!

First we had the blower (ATI Procharger - centrifugal) hooked up but not blowing through the carb. Holy shit does that thing put out some air! It also sounded like a jet engine almost. Very loud running without any restriction on the outlet. You would not believe how much air that thing pumps out.

Later we hooked up the outlet to the piece that sits on the carb, it's a lot quieter, but still has some high pitch whine.

There is a knocking sound that I need to investigate. To me it sounds (or is that I hope???) like valvetrain, but hard to tell in the short time we had before the rain dumped down on us. It sure felt good to hear that engine running though...... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[repoguy]

Oh man, you're killing me!!!

I hope that knock is top end & not bottom.

Keep us posted!!!

[BARNETT]

Right on, Terry! Keep us updated and let's see some pics! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Fraz]

If I remember this car, it belonged to a different HAMBer, and he sold it on eBay. Grey or Silver Rivi right? Or was it your baby the whole time?

Lifters good, none leaking down? No bad lobes on the cam? Any bent pushrods? What kind of compression ratio does this thing have? Not too high? Rods all tight and clearances are within tolerances? Cam bearings OK? Mains? Rods and pistons a matched and balanced set?

Just goin thru the typical checklist. I'm assuming you've already checked all this stuff cuz you're smart.

Maybe something's hitting something else inside. Can't think of anything though.

Well I'm stumped. That was fast wasn't it? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[derelict]

Glad to hear it Terry. I hope that sound isn't anything that'll keep you from driving it. Bring it on in pretty soon okay?

[DrJ]

Cool!
Does it look like this one?

[ray]

this is what it used to look like

http://photo.starblvd.net/~homelessray/6-2-3.jpg

[38Chevy454]

Yep, Ray that's it. Looks pretty much the same now. The only real change I did was remove the air box that is out of the picture. I need to clean up some of the wiring and hose routing, but it will essentially look very close to that.

[lesabre59]

Way to go Terry, I know youve been anxious to get the nailhead running foe a while now. I would love to hear that bad boy run. I still think you could wedge it in the modified http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[ray]

wanna trade that car for a motorsickle? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Radshit]

Hubba, Hubba......(cat Call).......damn that is one fine Kitty...or should I say Wildcat....I know it's a Riv...same difference........

[ray]

yeah, but the motors ere called wildcats. wildcat 445 and 465 i think, for the 401 and 425, for their torque ratings. grunt!

[drgnwgn289]

Terry, that is just gonna get you in trouble....can't wait to see it!!