Don Terrill’s Speed-Talk

Anyone fitted an early oil pan to the 80-85 blocks where the dipstick is on the other side of the block? No dipstick will be used in this application. Thanks!

If it's not a manual trans or an automatic with a 'clean neutral' valve body, you'd best be very careful about clicking the engine at high RPM's....

We've recently been checking the back lash between the dist. and cam gears on BBC/SBC applications with steel, bronze and poly distributor gears and finding quite a bit of differences. -What amount of rotational 'play' (measured at the rotor with locked out timing) is considered 'normal'? -What's co...

I'd stay away from anything with a fulcrum ball. Best bang for the buck rockers for your deal are the new KMJ stainless. http://kmjperformance.com/sbc-350-chevy-1-5-7-16-stainless-steel-roller-rocker-arms-small-block-283-400.html Since you're going to cut the heads for studs anyway, go 7/16". T...

Another angle. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v467/tenxal/100_1761_zpsimwkc29l.jpg The wire boot on #1 is tight but shortening the boot cured that. Will test some 'shorty' plugs soon. I jokingly told someone I was going to use a 'Rajah' end on # plug wire and he looked at me like I had two heads....

Yes, the Vega box is smaller. The big block mounts would move the engine up, but the reduction in carb-to-hood clearance is an issue.

As tight as things look on the drivers side, they practically fall in from the top. Good stuff from Mr. Elston, for sure.

68-72 Nova & 67-69 Camaro, these are Elston 1.5" Tri-Y's for an idea of clearance. The box has to be a 67-69 Camaro/Firebird or 68-69 Nova gear box. The '70-later later manual gear boxes have a larger casting that doesn't allow #5 tube to fit. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v467/tenxal/1...

Would anyone care to speculate on the reason why the KB Racing team (Greg, Jason & Bo) have a .05-second advantage on the rest of the Pro Stock field - resulting in wins for the 1st four national events? They have several aces in the hole: Jason Line, hard work and an appropriate budget for nee...

I'd take a real close look at the crank and make sure it isn't cracked.......

pamotorman wrote:did the original 50s SBC have those extra holes drilled in the tappets chamber next to the lifter bosses??

Yes they did....three of them.

That's true if he's using standard tension rings, but if it's a low(ish) tension pack relying on evacuation to keep the top end sealed and dry... Lots of racers out there with much less tension than his set up in classes where vacuum pumps are not allowed . Great ring setup for what he's doing but ...

Just a parting shot and then I'll leave it alone. Try the simple stuff first. Simply unhook the vacuum pump and try it...a couple of passes will tell 'ya. Besides the aeration deal, it's possible that there's enough vacuum in the upper end of the engine to interfere with adequate drain back into the...

My money is on an aeration situation, especially if the vacuum pump is picking up from the valve covers. The rotating assy. may well be contributing to this as well. With the rpm's you're turning, there is a lot of air that gets forced downward from beneath the pistons on their down stroke that can ...

The first thing I would do is disconnect the vacuum pump and see if there's any difference.

I will add that the holes also serve as a source of crankcase breathing. Especially if you've fitted the valley with a sheet
metal pan to shield the bottom of the intake, make sure you have adequate crankcase breathing.