13's, stock '71 318 short block.

Anyone run 13 seconds with a stock 318 short block? Pistons are notoriously low in the hole, like .060" down...

I'm thinking if I can build the chassis a little better than the engine, like Caltrac suspension, low gear 904, (have gears) 4.10 gears, (have gears) lighten/stiffen car (removed creature comfort stuff already), improve weight dist. (trunk mount batt.) and run 8x26 drag radials (springs stay in stock loc.) I can do it without spending too much on the engine. ( i.e. no machine work to short block)

Looking to get the car running, drive back and forth to the track and get some seat time.

Plans for engine would be EQ 318B or RHS/Indy heads (both are 1.92 valve, similar pricing), thin head gaskets (back in production) Hughes 318 Whiplash or Comp XE268H cam, cheapo Summit headers, (car has dual exhaust with h-pipe and Flowmasters already) LD4B (have already), Holley 600 and electronic dist. (have MSD 6al already). Besides a new set of heads, valvetrain would likely be the largest expense here.

Unless I win the lottery, my plans for a stout 340 build will have to go on hold for a while due to lack of funds. I do have a small budget to use but due to it's limited nature, I'm trying to invest wisely and get the car running as best as possible within the budget.

So yeah, who goes 13's with their stock 318 short block?

My first 318 in my 65 Barracuda took me down the track at 13.92 seconds at 98+ mile an hour. Stock as a rock 318 with the pistons sitting .050-.055 down in the hole; an old Crane Blazer cam, 66 273 heads cut .030 with 1.88/1.6 valves, thin MP head gaskets, 3310 Holley on an Edelbrock Performer intake, Thorley "D" Dart headers, 8 3/4 with 3.55 gears, 225/70x14 tires. Car was all steel with full interior.

My third 318 took the car down the 1/4 at 12.54 seconds at 106 mph, same crank, pistons, swapped from 340 floater rods to 273 floater rods, not ballanced (never was), radically angle milled 360 heads (45.5 cc's) 2.02, 1.6 valves, Edelbrock Torquer II, 750DP, Comp Cams XTQ281S-6, 4000 stall converter, 4.88 gears, M?T 275/60x15 drag radials, gutted car, 8 point roll bar assembly.

You can go fast with a 318 if you want to.

Good luck,

Jim Burch