Technical Breathing life into a 283 - FED Destined

Really nice work; I look forward to each step.

 

So with the bushings extending out of the bore, does this help stabilize the lifter's ? I'm sure there's a good reason, just not familiar with this procedure.

 

Yes it does give more support however the reason behind the bushings in my case was for two reasons - A larger diameter lifter (.904, allows a larger wheel and can handle higher spring pressure) and to modify the oil circuitry (full time oiling).

 

Any updates Nick?

 

Yes and No. Block is finish machined, new Callies crank is here, need to buy some rods. Pistons on hold until I get a chance to do all the head work. Will take chamber molds from there to get pistons made.

I also have a Plan B with a new Dart block with a cast smaller bore near where I'm at now.

Other than that business is booming and I'm struggling to keep pace with all of these crazy projects. Alot of nest stuff will be going out the door soon!

 

Just found this thread, thank you for posting the details of an all out build. Like the bowtie heads, I ran a set in the 90's.

 

Amazing work. I usually avoid reviving dormant threads, but this is so awesome, and parallels something a buddy and I want to start working on, that the education is worth it.

Are you still working this project? (Business must be GOOOOOD!)

 

I'm completely buried with work. If you are on Instagram at all check me out @402BOSSMAN, plenty of things to see what I'm up to. I had to shelve it for a little bit to finish a bunch of customer projects. I have some parts and pieces for another few builds I'm toying with but I assure I will see this one through. The next step will be the head work and once that is done I'll start looking at the camshaft so I can get pistons built. Thanks for the compliment!

 

Also updated the Thread Title as I'm on the fence for the Nitromethane part to be a true Jr. Fueler. Front Engine Dragster destined for sure.

 

Wondered where this thread went. Thanks for the planning update, best of luck with your project and business. Keep busy!

 

Well, I'm back and a few things have changed yet again. I stumbled across another set of Bowtie heads that I'd much rather invest my time in, mainly because they are aluminum so potential future repairs will be far easier for me to handle versus cast iron. Who wants to grind on cast iron anyways?
Scored a set of castings I've been hunting for the last few years and the price tag was finally just right for me. These are Phase 6 #049 aluminum castings that you'll watch me highly modify into a respectable head that will perform to my expectations. The reason why I chose these heads is because how GM delivered them, without seats, guides, pushrod holes drilled, and the spring pads raised .200. This is a standard port location 23° head but not for long!


Here is the standard combustion chamber typical of a "camel hump" head appearance.


First thing I will do is roll the chamber walls back for airflow reasons.




Then I have around the spark plug hole to contend with. I will weld this area up and make more like a modern combustion chamber similar to a Dart Pro 1.

And for those really studying my pictures you will notice I welding in the bowl around the guide boss as well creating a tail on the backside of the guide.
The next portion I'm tackling is modifying the exhaust ports. The roof will get raised, the floor welded in with a reshaped short side, and lastly a modern oval port exhaust exit.





Lots of welding, grinding, and thinking outside the box to find ways of improving some old technology. I plan to treat these similarly to how Super Stock heads are being currently done but without all of the rules since I don't have to follow any in my case. I like how these old heads appear on the outside so that I why I sought them out. The intake side will get modified heavily, best to start on the easier stuff first. Anyhow figured I'd update some progress I made a few days ago.

 

That's a crazy amount of head work

 

I like this stuff. Thanks for posting this .

 

What is your "current" cubic inch projection Nick.
And yes, those photos are SBC porn!

 

Somewhere between 300 - 310ci. Finding a ring set may alter my bore size along with multiple crankshafts I could use. I have a nice Callies 3.150 stroke I'm planning on using as of now. Sort of an oddball combo.

 

Can't go wrong with Callies, my 427 SBC has their rotating assembly in it.