Don Terrill’s Speed-Talk

Bossman wrote: ↑Sat Apr 06, 2024 5:19 pm How is your AXE machine doing ? i bought one and had to replace everything on the machine a few times, machine isn't 3 years old yet never again i'd bite the bullet and buy a MART

So far all is great. No problems at all. What parts failed?

bentvalves wrote: ↑Wed Jan 31, 2024 10:10 am did you go with a gas fired or electric AXE?

gas fired

Thecurve does not retard when proper GM advance weights and center is used.GM designed in compensation for this with the OEM HEI diz My shop has run many dozens of the chevy crate 602 circle track engines equipped with their newest HEI distributors. The timing retards just like everyone other one d...

scrapped it all yesterday

The tank finally rotted through on my Winona Van Norman JW24 jet wash and I replaced it with a new AXE unit. Before scrapping the machine, I stripped off all of the good working parts like pump, electrical control box, gas burner, etc. I also have a new door seal kit. If anyone has one of these mach...

I don’t remember the company that sold them, but I have some 3/16 x 3/4 carbon keys. Place one in the worn key way slot, tig around the carbon key, grind the weld down to the height of the radius of the crank, chip the carbon out of the key way, insert new key and install new balancer. As pointed o...

The caddy engine block isn't nearly as heavy or strong as a BBC. One time we had a drag race Caddy engine on my dyno built by another shop. It made well over 600 hp and tons of torque. Even though the block was filled it would flex so much above 6000 rpm that a freeze plug would pop out. The plugs w...

Your retainers, locks, and valve keeper grooves don't fit together properly. This is actually very common, especially when you mix and match brands.I bet when you hold the bare valve in one hand and install the retainer and locks and pull on retainer with other it feels spongy. The retainer probably...

I make my own broaching slugs in my lathe. They are huge time savers and do not remove the coating off cam bearings.Way better than scraping.

My shop's primary work is performance oriented, but we also do a ton of stock head work for local repair garages and new and used car dealers. There is a large cluster of car dealerships within a 10 minute drive from my shop. In the last 40 years my guys and I have repaired many many thousands of ex...

Find out if the new oversize valves are updated to 11/32 stems or still original heavy 3/8 stem diameter. I have not had great results trying to run hydraulic roller valve train with heavy valves to 6800+ rpm. One advantage to running iron heads is that the valve lash doesn't change more than a thou...

Big bald guy wrote: ↑Tue Sep 26, 2023 7:57 am I put a bevel on the parting line and the rear face of the bearing to put pressurized oil to the rear thrust. Never had a problem.


Yet.

Already had bevel at parting line for more oil to thrust.

I just got off phone with my favorite transmission guy (not the one who built the trans that goes to the problem engine). Evidently it is very common to have issues with converter snout to bottom out in the crank flange adapter. If this isn't a problem then plumb in a pressure gauge in cooler circui...

Somebody explain how peak torque can be 1500 RPM above lowest B.S.F.C. ??? https://www.speed-talk.com/forum/download/file.php?id=36098&mode=view I have observed wacky B.S.F.C. numbers caused by innacurate or fluctuating fuel flow turbine data. If the turbine isn't mounted properly there can be ...

Anyone know what the charge pressure needs to stay below to not damage thrust bearing assuming crank has proper texture ,clearance, and oil flow? Also how and where do you need to check the pressure?