Don Terrill’s Speed-Talk

I've never heard of a pre gapped ring?
.005 gap per inch of bore top ring
.0055 gap per inch of bore 2nd ring
For basic NA hot rod..
Maybe a little less if below 400 hp
Agree on deburing well and check ALL the oil rails sometimes they mix in some wrong ones lol

We hve a homemade mandrel to hold the insides of the converter centered, make sure its drained out well then bolt it up and spin as normal assembly

A drop in distributor that has a crank position and drives the oil pump is easier to understand for alot hobbyists and that gets people to buy efi units. More than accurate for most crate engine type setups I have had good luck with the holley hp and dominator. I always try to sell entry level peopl...

Watching this I really think those motors are underrated..are you doing carb or efi?
I think I have read of the heads going over 400 with a little welding...need to make a billet removable top intake ..change top and put a couple dominators or a forward/rearward facing TB

Run it no problem

Oil getting into the chamber?
From warped intake flanges...or cooked rings

I know nothing about that engine but you will most likely have piston to valve clearance issues with that much duration added and cam phasers if it is close at all now...

New oil in engine Amsoil fogging oil or equivalent used as directed Back off rockers Drain carb and light fogging oil in bowls leave off car in ziploc bag Tape intake and plate Drain fuel system completely esp if pump gas/alcohol Battery on tender if 12v or bring indoors Desiccant bag in interior Ca...

Copper spray for re using here too....skim of.silicone only on the thin part of the deck heading up to the China wall both sides of gasket. Even if your heads are new make sure they get surfaced properly!

Agree 3/8 are sketchy at that rpm...invest in some t&d or jesel and dont look back lol you are not gonna start turning less rpm in the future

Getting off topic from op but..
We call it banana ing at our shop too lol
Usually count on .007 to .018 bow in one face then sometimes a crown on the other side or reverse banana and of course fixing the angles. Other shops and customers say they have no issues i laugh

I have had to skim previously corrected and flattened (by me)Intakes on freshens they always move/warp whatever set it on with no gaskets and try to feeler gauge between the intake and head you will see real quick.. If your port and bolt hole alignment is good with no gaskets you need to remove the ...

Is there room to go under the headers? that usually solves alot of problems..

What engine? What manifold and is it new?

I surface and correct every intake for every engine I build, most are way wrong on flatness, port height, angle they all need tweaking

What is your timing setup base/total?
Are you using a pcv valve?
What fuel?
Do you have a spacer under the carb what type?
Sounds like you have an air leak