Don Terrill’s Speed-Talk

Doesn't really seem that amazing to me. At that level of performance the gains come easy. You made his engine healthy and you got rid of a power robbing transmission.

I had a nice forged 350 crank many years ago that I wanted to use so I found a 400 block and built a 377. I was not disappointed. However there is nothing wrong with a 383.

QA1 will custom make shocks.

We tested a std Performer against whatever the correct stock intake is for a 1968 400, on a street/strip 400 in the 425hp range. The Performer made a bit more bottom end and had really good throttle response, but was down a solid 10hp to the factory intake in the upper rpm. The runners on the Perfo...

Those #16 heads came in two configurations , small valve ( 1.96/ 1.66 ) or large valve ( 2.11/1.77 ) 72cc approximately. Usually screw in studs. The small valve heads may be press in studs. I believe the ports are the same . Good for about 400hp with large valve version and headers , street cam. mi...

So here is what I now know. Three pistons are badly scuffed and its already .030 with looks like cheap rebuilder style pistons that have double valve reliefs. It will definitely need to be re-bored. I do not know what max bore is on these motors. I think the heads are #16 casting with D - ports. The...

the block is # 9799914 and its 2 bolt main. According to my research that makes it a 1970 400. Am i right so far ? The crank is # 97954 and i don't know what the heads are yet.

Also I can't find anything wrong with it.

I got hired to fix / rebuild a 400 pontiac in a 79 TA. Its not the original engine but I do believe it is a low CR smog engine judging by the EGR intake and Q-jet carb. I think it has a rod knock and i expect to know for sure by tomorrow. The only modification it has is headers and they look like a ...

I am assuming building a 421 would be more clearance friendly What bore size is your block at ? Or what bore size are you wanting to take it to ? I would try and stay as close to 4.125 as I could. A 3.875 stroke with a 4.125 bore is 414 cubes. Thats what i would do but if you have to go .030 then y...

Yes it can be done and those fancy blocks are expensive. The 434 i worked on had so much metal carved out of the pan gasket rail that it worried me. And it was still a tight fit. Having the right rods for the job will definitely help. Sorry I don't know which ones to suggest. If I was doing a big cu...

There are guys that have alot more experience than me at this, but i've helped a friend with a 423 (3.875 stroke) abd seen lots of 383's (3.750 stroke) and recently freshened up a 434 (4" stroke) and my opinion is that if i was starting from scratch i would get a dedicated block designed for st...

Cool car, i like your fabricated dash. Due to my recent experience I think you should get a bigger steering wheel Would be tough to correct if you got out of shape with that little guy.

Ya those crappy peanut port heads, I could only go 11.80's with my 1st set. :lol: I don't have a problem sticking on the peanut ports but nobody will want to buy it. After I ran my 11.16@119mph with my 360 peanut port heads on my 461 BBC I had a lot of people where I live want it. Maybe you should ...

We've scrapped a truckload of 366" blocks and heads, selling the forged crankshafts. If you come get them, I'll give you a set; it's only 872 miles there to here ;>) Hey thanks for the offer. I drove through there a few years ago. Not planning another trip though. You can also sell the 4 bolt ...

I'm considering putting the valves (2.06) from the peanut port heads into a set of 366 industrial heads. I'm hearing that they end up at about 105 cc chamber once that job is done but they require alot of grinder work to blend the port to the bigger valve seat area. Its kind of fun making something ...