Projects 1955 Chevy Southeast Gassers Build

That sucks. Oh well, onwards and upwards! Had you fitted the larger bore injection at this stage Zak?
Looking forward to following your progress next season.

 

Well thats what happened. I wondered why all of a sudden your car car got stupid. It always goes straight down the track.
You will be back better and stronger next season. See you at Holt, Fl. in March.

 

Man what a gut punch, sorry to see that. That is impressive tho, I’ve seen the usual hole in the pan and drag marks in the cylinder, but gat damn you done good with that one! No cylinder wall whatsoever. Wow.

I see the notch in the deck, this is an honest 4.09x3.76, GM block and crank 396 isn’t it? At least a block will be cheap if it is! Maybe fill the next one with concrete and keep the revs under 9k! Lol. Heavy parts is the kicker, like you said. Sorry to see your paint scuffed up like that, that sucks. At least you kept the wheels on the ground, she’s plenty fixable!!

 

It hurts me to know that your beautiful ‘55 was hurt! Thankfully you and the car can come back strong as ever next season!

 

Yes sir this was a real 396 2 bolt GM block. I think a piston broke potentially because it wasn’t a valve train failure, and it didn’t turn a rod bearing. We have a lot lighter rotating assembly almost ready to go, and I have several 396 blocks to pick from so we’re gonna sonic test the cylinder walls and pick the best one, then pour it too. It was only .030 over so I don’t think it was thin anywhere but it’s hard to tell now lol

 

No this was still our same combo we’d ran all season basically. We’re coming out with the bigger injection for next season on our new engine.

 

That’s cool as hell, nice to see some 396 blocks going to good use! Do you have a 6223 crank in it? Did it hurt the crank or do you know yet? Hurts to see a piece of art like that AFR head all banged up. Hope that’s fixable.

 

I run 399/427 tall deck truck cranks. There forged and nitrited like a 375hp crank, only difference is they aren’t cross drilled. And yeah the one chamber has a few burs and will need new seats but no cranks or holes it looks like. Injection doesn’t allow pieces to cross into other holes so all other 7 were okay.

 

Zak, Before the '67 Winter Nationals I removed the grill insert and attached aluminum in its place, also made a pan under the grill to direct air under the front end. Don't know if it helped but looked cool. The only pic I have is on Photo Bucket.

 

Awesome it does look cool!

 

yep, that's broke.
RIP shortblock.

 

Zak... is it me or are there a few of the cars that are only using 1st-2nd-&3rd gear on there runs?
I've been following SEGA (and you) since it started and will swear I have seen and heard only 2 shifts.... coming from the cars that appear to be using a higher gear combination and a slider style clutch.
Your thoughts?
Glenn Hayes

 

As far as I can tell, the fast cars use all 4 gears. A few guys do run a looser clutch and taller 1st gear to keep the drop between gears tighter but everyone carries a bunch of rear gear. Nobody runs a slider style clutch though because we’re limited to a single disc clutch, so if you slipped it much you’d have to re shim it about every couple passes to keep the air gap and everything right.

 

Here’s a few photos from the pass that the engine expired on.

 

Bittersweet weekend as the 57 went to a new home with familiar faces. HomeGrown is a Texan now. Rusty and me made a deal and him and his wife came up over the weekend and picked it up. New things coming for 2021!

 

Okay Zak, I’ll trust you but it still looked super awesome even being loaded up on the trailer! It was definitely one of my favorites but I’m glad it went to a good home!


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Rusty of bad banana fame? If so I sure like that 55 hardtop he has lot of great history and photos with that one. He lives in TX now?

 

Yes that Rusty, and yeah he’s in Texas now.

 

Building a super light car this time. Should be cool!

 

Oooh I like super light cars!!!


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Shooting for 1900lb plus driver

 

Gotta cut the stacks down, and take a ton of ballast out of the car but got the motor for the 55, just gotta plumb it up.

 

Bummer no more 396’s eh? Whats the cid of the new one?

 

Yeah

The 396 is going to make a return, possibly in a new car! And this one is 331”. Took all 305lb of ballast out of the car too.

 

OOOOOH MAN!!! I can't wait to hear this Screamer at about 9 grand!

 

One of the most amazing build threads I have ever had the pleasure of following. You two gentlemen obviously know your way around building a car properly and it shows in everything you folks do. There are very few things in life as full filling as a father and son working together and you two folks should inspire others to do the same. Much kudos and respect for your fine efforts and continued good luck with your amazing machine. Cheers.

 

Here’s a few more pictures from Florida finals. Only January and already having withdrawals.

 

Wish I had the slanted stack adapters for my Crower injector.

 

Here’s a few pictures of my new car I’m starting on, and I do plan on it being fairly light. Not sure how long it’ll take so I don’t know to what extent I’ll do a build thread about it.

 

COOL