Don Terrill’s Speed-Talk

what location for the hole and what diameter? You want the rod pin-oiling on the bottoms of the pin holes in the rod eyes , this is the highest load point during the cycle! Drilling pin oilers above the pins in the rods is a complete waste of time, even many of the "budget-priced" off-sho...

Getting older and don't need my big block torque and horsepower any more and I wanted to build one last SBC so I'm needing some guidance. I would like to drop 200hp and whatever torque comes with that. That means about 520 hp My combo so far is what I have ready to assemble but the short block can'...

Not sure tonight the difference in the two intakes but I can give you this much on the 300-25, back in the mid '80's we began welding in some "fins" and did a little porting and was able to pick up about 30 HP. We saw it on the dyno and some close customers who used it picked up 3-tenth's ...

Hello everyone. I’ll apologize for my ignorance ahead of time. I am new to engine building. I have a SBC vortex block with a cam retainer plate. I have a Howard’s Cams cam sprocket with the Torrington bearing on the back side of it. I have the engine almost assembled and everything spins fine and f...

For years now we'v used the "hot-oil' method to install almost all our dampers. If the correct press fit is established they go right on by hand, especially the earlier SBC Chevies! See the photos below. Thanks, Gary in N.Y. P.S. As Bill mentioned above we wouild recommend definitely drilling/t...

I would just add this, I would not try to "bang" the old cast guides out, you run the risk of "tearing up" (galling) the guide holes?? I would "core-drill" most of the old guide out and just leave a step at the bottom to drive out the remaining shell! In other words don...

These "conical" springs were used in the '50's, then disappeared, then again in the '70's, disappeared again, and now. We will build nothing with single springs any longer, unless a "class" rule dictates. There are a couple other exceptions, for instance a Flathead Ford/Merc, but...

Hey guys, I have a 1972 340 block that needs a sleeve in one cylinder and will have to end up at .060" overbore. Is this thing worth keeping around or should I put it in the scrap bin ? I don't know how the wall thickness is on these things and if a 72 block is anything that restoration guys w...

I can add one more tidbit of info that I have come across, not with the SHP blocks, or even hyd roller lifters....... but it’s a situation that “could” occur with any type of lifter. In our case we saw a similar problem with lifter/pushrod oiling with a particular type of solid lifter. These lifter...

Thanks for the help. I'll see what I get into tomorrow. Hopefully the silicone will work. That may be the option. The customer already has intake gaskets...Mr. Gasket I think he said and he swears there no Oring or anything with them. Going in blind. As per normal. The gasket (O-ring) supplied with...

The original Pontiac part number is 538327. They measure .230" thick.

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. I doubt very much they are any longer available, haven't tried to order any in a long time?

Got a set of custom Ti rods in, they have ARP2000 bolts, part nu 200-6208. They are 1 of 2 sets made over 10 years ago & I cannot get manufacturer stretch specs for the bolts, so I'm going to have to go with whatever you'd normally stretch these bolts to, but ARP do not list stretch for them - ...

Hi Jack, have used "Extrudehone" a few times, works really well but will not change/reshape the actual area being done. You need to have the correct shape going in, then the media will simply "make it bigger". This method works well on items like the old Flathead blocks where por...

Straightforward question, does anyone know if the Speed-pro H660CP pistons have centered or offset pins? Hi George, 327" SB, should be a centered pin and press-fit only, no provision for pin locks. Thanks, Gary in N.Y. P.S. Should also have a single set of valve notches, not the usual 4 found ...

Should have couple sets 3.880" (finished bore size) on the shelf here in 5/64"-3/16" pack, "std" tension!

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. Only have them available for V-8's however, not "6's"?