New Shortblock is a .080 over 261. Bowl ported 848 head with custom 2.02 intakes and 1.50 exhausts 78 cc' s chambers. 7.00" gmc 302 rods. Dema Elgin cam .472 lift 232deg at .050 solid lifters. Around 9.2 to 1 compression. After reading the flow bench tests on Inliners I'm going to remove the bulge in the combustion chamber by the exhaust valve. Should give me some more pep than my 235 and still be pump gas friendly!
Munch, Munch flatheads for lunch. That is going to be a kick to drive in that little car. At a little over 272 inches it'll be a had full. The tired old GMC 270 in my pickup is still fun to drive.
Looks great Pat, neat and complimentary to the whole package. Appreciate making the effort for my request, thanks. Cheers, Drewfus
I got to race at Trog Pismo. I had a blast!! Even with the rain and racing cut short. I had a smile all weekend. I got my new engine in and broke in the cam the week before the race, then took my wife for a roadster ride in the foothills to break in the motor a little. Noticeably stronger than the 235. I convinced myself that I should leave the Q.C gears at a 3.30 final ratio. Flipped I would have 4.10. I barely shifted to third at about 600 feet. Probably should have flipped gears! I took some good natured ribbing about my late model 54 engine. I need to build a 40's 270 jimmy to even things out! My wife got a cell phone movie of my race against Sushi and his T-v8.
Nice car, video and painting. Great thread. I like it even more than the Paso version. If you decide to build a 270 let me know. I might be able to help.
Thanks! I had a early 270 to build up but didn't pass a mag test. Cracked #1 cylinder at the front of the block. So I went with a 261 I saved from a 51 pickup I own. I did use the Jimmy rods though.
The work done to your car is gorgeous. Congrats. I've been meaning to start a thread about and maybe this isn't the time or place, but I'm curious how you finish the metal to look new after being shaped? Is it just a done of filing and sanding? I would love to learn how to work metal like this.
How did I miss this. Stunner. And I really dig the 261. Looking for one to put in my 55 2 door sedan. And I love the Chevy tail lights turned 90 degrees.
Yes. Filing and sanding. Lots of it! I mostly finish to about 400 grit wet sanding. Paper tends to load up on aluminum but red scotch Brite is about 320 grit and works well.
Pat- thanks for this thread- totally bitchen' car and awesome metal work! You have great vision! Matt
I found this thread today at lunch while researching what aluminum to use for making hot rod bits. I'm so happy to see this! Your wagon and Sellers coupe blew me away in that old rodders journal. Then that issue with this car hit, and I was floored once again. So glad you still have it and are making it even more refined. So inspirational. Congrats on all your hard work.
Not sure what the protocol is on posting after 3+years but here goes. Steadily chipping away at this project. Body and panels are in final coat of primer hopefully ready for final wet sanding. Thought I’d share some solutions I came up with for some issues that needed to be addressed before paint. My original side hood hinges made the hood swing over and rub the hood side. So I came up with these hinges that pop up before the hood opens to keep the paint from chipping. The hook in the middle holds the hinges down. Everything seems to work so I’ll smooth the out. I couldn’t upload a short video.
Made a wishbone locator and mount for the qc rear. Last photo you can also see the single exhaust I’m making for street driving.
Overheating was a problem in traffic so I bought one of those inexpensive aluminum rads and chopped it up with a new upper tank and outlets. Leaned back it’s a tight fit but way bigger than the old one.
@Pat thanks for sharing and making Wednesday a lot cooler... I have shared and admired your Inspiration in Hotrod as many others and I'm always happy to see Greatness bttt... Thanks to @PINEAPPLE for digging in the archives...it never gets old...when the Original Poster chimes in even better...
When I first saw this at Paso several years ago I didn't think it could get better. I was wrong. This is one of the best build cars around. Your welds are art!
Removable headlights were a bit wobbly when pinned in. I had some crazy ideas to solve this. Finally came up with something simple. With some carful mill work I was able to counter bore and thread a hole for a Allen head screw. When I tighten it a little it pinches against the base. It seems to hold pretty good. The two stubs sticking out of the front crossmember are the new lower radiator mounts.
Currently fully disassembled. I welded 5 point seatbelt mounts and a rollbar base per Trog rules. 3 point bar with one bar running forward. Couldn’t wait for tubing so I measured everything before I took the body off.
The Jalopy Journal
