Recent content by AndyF

Maybe, I've never tried it. I have seen guys use C body HP manifolds and angle mill them. Not exactly an easy solution but I've heard that it works. On my Duster I just used the smallest header I could find and that seemed to work okay but it was only 600 hp.

I make several different tools for that task: Tools | AR Engineering

I can run a dyno test and prove that headers pick up a lot of power when switching from manifolds. I can also run a dyno test showing that headers don't pick up much power from manifolds. Just because you see a video of something doesn't mean that you aren't being lied to. The trick is the...

I don't think B body HP manifolds are going to fit in an A body so the discussion might be moot. However, in a B body you can build a performance engine that doesn't give up much power to headers. You have to be very, very careful with the cam selection but 500 hp isn't a problem with HP...

Are you running pump gas? Pump gas is really sooty so that might explain the sooty color. If you're running race gas then I'd say you're too rich. You kind of need to know the fuel is in order to read the plugs. In the same engine gas will look different than pump gas which looks different from...

He went with the 427 theme and added 427 logos to the front fenders. I think he picked the Chevy 427 logo rather than the Ford 427 logo but I'm not positive on that. He did get a lot of questions at the track about whether he had a Chevy 427 in the car. He just said no, Mopar 427 which confused...

427 inch small block. It made 520 hp and 510 torque on the dyno. Basically the same power as a Viper engine but in a smaller and lighter package.

Have to rotate the vehicles KD! I have 3 daily drivers so I rotate which one I drive every couple of weeks. The hot rod gets started once a month and driven around the block a few times. I'm probably going to sell it someday just because I don't really need a hot rod anymore. Had it 40 years so...

Start with Doctor Diff

I don't have many parts left anymore. I sold all of my brake designs to Doctor Diff about 10 years ago

The 1 ton bridge crane allowed me to "cheat" on a lot of stuff. I could pick up the front of the car and lower it back down over the engine and trans or I could lift the engine and transmission up into the car from below if the car was sitting on high jacks.

Yeah it works great if you have the right tools. Taking your time and figuring out the next move is a smart idea the first time around. I had the engine in and out of my Duster more than a few times during the build process. Each time I improved the process and decreased the time.

Depends on what you mean by "much newer". 40 years ago that statement was true but these days the parts cars are not much newer, they are roughly the same age. You used to be able to go to a wrecking yard and grab the brakes from a FMJ car for a quick disc brake upgrade. If you were smart you...

Here is one that I had sitting at my shop for a little while. It was for sale and it actually took a while to sell. I figured someone would grab it quick to turn into a race car but I think it actually ended up back on the street.

The post Valiant can be a cool street rod or road race type of car. Not as popular as an E body car so it is harder to find parts and they are a bit smaller so stuff can be a tight fit. I spent a lot of time helping Tim with his red Valiant. That car was a beast once we put the 427 in it. 160...