Don Terrill’s Speed-Talk

Sorry for him; pray they're made whole again. Florence is tough; crime is not managed so well. I pay property taxes there. Y'all remember comedic actor Joe Flynn ? ... played captain Binghamton on McHales Navy. Many years ago, Flynn was in Florence for a fundraiser; he was mugged and robbed at a Flo...

There's a relative newcomer SPEEDiagnostix ... owned-operated by the guy who sometimes seems to be everywhere (Lake Speed JUNIOR ). Have no personal experience ... dunno if better or worse. Perhaps you can be guinea pig? https://www.speediagnostix.com/about-us Also, CAT dealers have a fluids analysi...

Sorry, folks. I need to back-up to the first post: The HEI ignition used in the Fiat/ Lancia Marelli distributors... You're saying that Marelli used GM HEI modules in their distributors? Or when you say "HEI" are you really meaning "electronic ignition" but not necessarily HEI w...

I'm no expert on 14 degree heads.
But I KNOW this: 14* are Not simply a 23^ design that's been rolled over or angle-milled.
14 degree (or even 18 degree) sbc heads begin with a clean sheet; there's much more than valve angle that's different.

Replace the 4 pin module with a better high performance one, stock ones will start to taper off in how well they work at about 5400 rpm. Also if you can mount the module out of the distributor in a cool area and on a slab of aluminum plate that would add a bunch of longevity . A mere 20 degree F dr...

Given the connection, I had to check out the Baldwin website and the info is impressive. Plenty of data such as the micron rating. (Can't say I'd ever considered that) This is a little side project as I'm waiting on parts and warmer weather. I might make up a comparison chart just to see what the c...

I'd choose the more shallow CP1000LT-RR --- if it fit the chassis
Suggest You call Champ and tell them exactly what you have and go with their guidance.

Me thinks that CP80LT is a LEFT Turn CircleTrack pan. Great for CT but not good for other uses. It is 8" deep.
If you're Not circletrack racing, suggest one of Champs more shallow Road Race pans.

GM fuel pump pushrod PN 3704817 ... as supplied by GM with 350HO crate motors (which have cast iron cam cores) If it shows little or no wear, Use the existing GM Melonized dist gear ... dab some Moly paste on & in-between those teeth. *FYI, for GM production motors, GM's billet steel cam cores a...

I was always under the impression that the 880 block was a mid 90's and later casting. The 638 was the common 350 casting from the late 80's to the mid 90's. Speaking of 880 blocks. I have a 2 bolt 880 block with a machined fuel pump casting in my Malibu at the moment. I found it at my favorite cor...

seems current "service replacement" completely new Goodwrench L31 vortec 5.7L motors are all USA, 4 bolt main, steel crank, complete fuel pump pad; manufactured by GM partner SRC Springfield MO USA ... during Trump admin, NAFTA was dumped & replaced by USMCA ... soon thereafter GM move...

I have been thinking. I had a vortec stock cam (l31)9.4:1cr. in a carbed 84 chevy 3/4 4x4 with a sm365 Trans and 275/75r16 tires and 3:73 gears. I needed 89 octane because if I took timing out to stop detonation, it ran like a dog. I am thinking it should have had 9.0:1 like the ht383 that can run ...

Bill Chase wrote: ↑Fri Dec 22, 2023 12:05 pm Makes sense, just seems like an excessive amount of oil to lube the timing gears and chain.

Yes, it may be more than's necessary for lube ... but the OE holes may be intended as air bleeds to shorten time taken for lifters to quieten down.

Seems like it would be too much oil once up to operating temperature. Genuinely curious, does the timing chain really need that much oil in an endurance/street application? Hi Bill: FWIW, a closer look at OE L31 350 / L30 305 blocks' Front oil gallery with OE pressed-in cup plugs ... OE drilled fro...

Josh8994 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 19, 2023 12:19 pm I have a 388 stroker that I am needing help picking out pistons. .........

There's a coupla ways to arrive at 388 ... does yours have 3.75" or 3.80" stroke ?

What is Present Bore diameter ?

Are your pistons Presently below deck ? If so, how much ?